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In Today's Hotline:
- LIBERIA: Ostracized No Longer
- IRAQ: Providing Relief
- JFON: A Winning Battler
- UMCOR: Helping Farmers Survive the Economy
- RESOURCES: Kenya, Not Forgotten - New Church Bulletin
In many parts of the world, bringing a child into the world can cause life-altering damage. During labor, women are susceptible to an injury that can maim them for life. The condition is called "fistula" and it occurs during childbirth when the blood supply to a part of the womb is cut off long enough for the tissue to die. Depending on the size and location of the fistula, a woman can leak urine and sometimes feces - causing them to be ostracized.
With the help of Dr. Albert WIllicor, a Global Ministries' missionary, a $500,000 grant was secured from Christian Blind Mission to ensure that ongoing fistula repairs continue. The grant allows Dr. Willicor to perform 10-15 fistula repairs each month at Ganta United Methodist Hospital.
One fistula repair costs $150. Your gifts will help women in Liberia regain their dignity and self worth by providing the surgery they need. You can contribute to this effort by sending your gifts to Hospital Revitalization Program, UMCOR Advance #982168
UMCOR partners are assisting displaced families in Iraq and Syria with basic daily needs. The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and Action By Churches Together (ACT) are providing food and hygiene kits to 3,000 vulnerable displaced families in Baghdad and Mosul.
Basic supplies such as such as soap, laundry detergent, spaghetti, cheese, beans and more are helping the most vulnerable people with their daily needs. ACT partners, including UMCOR, also will support more than 6,000 families including 800 children and youth with emergency food and hygiene supplies. ACT will help with vocational skills training for youth, health awareness programs for women and children, and improved access to clean water.
Nearly 2.5 million displaced persons in Iraq continue to be in need of food, water, housing, medical care and education for their children, according to a UN Refugee Agency. You can help by sending your gifts to Middle East Emergency, UMCOR Advance #601740.
Fifteen years ago, the Valdez* family came to the US from Mexico with their two-year old daughter, Evelina*. They worked hard to earn a good living. Since then, the family has grown to include two more children - David* and Carlos* - US citizens.
The Valdez family decided to seek legal advice to become legal residents and citizens. Unfortunately, advice from one attorney led the family to false promises and the thing they feared the most - deportation and separation from David and Carlos. Attorneys from Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) in Nebraska took over the three-year long challenging case, resulting in Mr. and Mrs. Valdez and their daughter becoming legal residents.
JFON provides free, professional legal services to immigrants and asylum seekers, helping them understand their rights and the laws that affect their lives in the US. Support JFON ministry by giving to Justice for Our Neighbors, UMCOR Advance #901285.
*not their real namesUMCOR: HELPING FARMERS SURVIVE THE ECONOMY
As fuel costs increase and continue to affect our economy, the value of the US dollar abroad is decreasing. This means that coffee farmers in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the US, are also feeling the pinch of rising costs because coffee and cocoa are traded in US dollars. By purchasing fair trade products, you are helping farmers cover the costs of producing coffee, making farm improvements and reducing debt while earning fair prices for their crops.
Join UMCOR's 100-Ton Challenge and help increase the amount of fairly-traded products purchased through The UMCOR Coffee Project and its partner Equal Exchange. As you enjoy fair trade goods, you are part of a partnership that helps farmers stay on their land and support their families.
UMCOR's 100-Ton Challenge has begun. Visit www.umcorcoffee.org for more information. You can also help farmers through your gifts to UMCOR's Sustainable Agriculture & Development Program, UMCOR Advance #982188.
RESOURCES: KENYA, NOT FORGOTTEN - NEW CHURCH BULLETIN
In December 2007, a tumultuous presidential election sparked widespread violence in Kenya forcing thousands of people from their homes. Today, many are still displaced living in temporary shelters and at the mercy of donated relief supplies. UMCOR, in partnership with the East Africa Annual Conference, the Methodist Church in Kenya, and USAID (US Agency for International Development) has not forgotten them. Medical supplies, blankets, dry food goods, school supplies, and more are arriving to help communities that are most in need across Kenya.
Download UMCOR's latest church bulletin about UMCOR's relief efforts in Kenya and help supply their daily needs as they rebuild their lives. Please give generously to International Disaster Response, UMCOR Advance #982450.
UMCOR provides emergency relief in many areas of the world. To find out more about UMCOR's ministries, please visit umcor.org. You can donate to any project by placing a contribution in the offering plate at a local United Methodist church; by sending a check to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068; or by calling 1-800-554-8583, where credit card donations are accepted. You can also give online at
United Methodist Committee on Relief
General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
Room 330, 475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115
Voice Phone: 1-212-870-3816; FAX: 1-212-870-3624
Email: umcor@gbgm-umc.org
Web: http://www.umcor.org
UMCOR. Be There. Be Hope.
UMCOR's mission is to alleviate human suffering-whether caused by war, conflict, or natural disaster-with open minds and hearts to all people.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
