In Today's Hotline:Read how UMCOR is responding to needs around the world:

UMCOR: PROVIDING REFUGE-ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

*Hanadi is a widow raising her six children in Gaza. The recent war between Israel and Hamas added to her daily struggles to support her family. Because Hanadi's late husband was a US citizen, the family was evacuated to Jordon and granted permission to resettle in the US. However, she was not eligible for federal refugee funds as her family was considered special humanitarian parolees.

UMCOR, along with a Church World Service affiliate PARA Refugee Services in Michigan, helped relieve Hanadi's financial burden. The family resettled in Grand Rapids and are now surrounded by new friends and loving support.

Giving to One Great Hour of Sharing provides refuge for people like Hanadi and allows UMCOR to be right there. This important offering underwrites UMCOR's cost of doing business and ensures that 100 percent of your gifts go directly to support UMCOR projects. One Great Hour of Sharing is March 22. Please give now.

*not her real name.

SUDAN: RETURNING HOME WITH HOPE

After spending 20 hard years living as a refugee in Uganda, Teresa Juan, her husband and eight children, returned home to Sudan to face more difficulty. Everyday, Teresa walked 20 miles to gather water for her family. Her long trip was made in vain as the water she collected was contaminated and caused her family to get very ill. Also, while employment opportunities were available, only those with good skills were hired to work.

With UMCOR-constructed schools in the Mankaro and Kenyi regions of Sudan, Teresa's children can now attend school and have hope for a brighter future. Support this work by giving to Sudan Emergency, UMCOR Advance #184385.

LIBERIA: RESTORING FIELDS

In North Central Liberia, an infestation of army worms (caterpillars) has caused widespread damage to crops in Zota District and Bong County. About 100 villages and over 300,000 farmers and families have been affected. The situation has led to a severe food shortage and the contamination of water sources which is causing people to get ill.

UMCOR is responding with an emergency grant to help the Liberia Annual Conference improve and restore the six farming communities affected by the infestation. UMCOR is providing technical training about crop and pest management, conducting farm trials and training local farming communities to increase food production.

Support this agricultural restoration project by giving to Sustainable Agriculture & Development, UMCOR Advance #982188.

INDONESIA: LEARNING ABOUT HYGIENE

In the Aceh Besar and Banda Aceh districts of Indonesia, students are learning hygiene and sanitation practices taught by UMCOR-trained teachers.

Students, teachers and support staff from the UMCOR-supported WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) Project celebrate World Water Day by conducting special learning activities for students to learn facts about proper hygiene.

Last March, UMCOR distributed lesson plans for teachers to use as a guide to communicate positive hygiene messages. Informational flyers with solutions to improve sanitation were also on-hand. Additionally, schools organized essay writing competitions on the topic of water and were provided with message banners to post in their schools.

World Water Day is March 22. Support projects like these that help communities in Indonesia learn about good hygiene and water safety. Give to Indonesia Emergency, UMCOR Advance #217400.

US: FITNESS FOR THE ELDERLY

Achieving a healthy, fit and trim body is not just for young people, but also for the young at heart. At Grant United Methodist Church in Nebraska, a group of seniors gather in the fellowship hall every Thursday morning for their weekly stretching and work-out routine. Each of their sessions concludes with fellowship.

FROG (Fitness Reaching Older Generations), a health program sponsored by the Health Ministry Committee of Grant UMC, is a holistic program that includes devotional time, strengthening and balancing exercises to benefit the mind, body, soul and spirit. FROG hosts mostly members from the church, but the ministry is open to others in the community. Each participant happily wears a FROG member t-shirt during each session.

To learn more about congregational health ministries or starting one in your church, please click here.

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 givetomission.org. UMCOR is exempt from tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States and qualifies for the maximum charitable contribution deduction by donors.

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.