Our Project Director, Mrs Daisy Samuel (right) presenting a Coronavirus Awareness Seminar to the slum community.
Dear Friends and Supporters
This blog is posted with both sadness and hope for what we are all experiencing at present. Our prayers are with you in whatever situation you find yourself in. We pray that you are fully aware of the presence and peace of God.
In India, the entire country began a 2-week nationwide lockdown over the weekend. Everything is ‘extreme’ in India – just imagine 1.3billion people forced into their houses with limited access to the marketplace and essential services. Just yesterday, Sunday, at 5pm, the entire nation rang bells, bang drums, clapped, banged on pots and pans and sang national songs, in solidarity and unity to support emergency workers. Such a powerful moment!
Last week we made the decision to not go ahead with SHINE last week. Our amended plans initially were to see our local team running the conference. However, the size of the gathering and the projection of how Covid-19 would be looking by mid-April, meant that it was not feasible or sensible. There is understandable disappointment, but we are confident that future opportunities will arise. Unfortunately, we have lost some money on this, but thankfully some final payments for the venue, catering and accommodation had not been paid.
Last week, our Kotdwara team, embarked on a Covid-19 Awareness Program in the slums and villages. We will continue to work closely with the slum people, as they are highly vulnerable and at risk of significant impact, should the virus spread as anticipated. A strategy is being developed for how we provide meals and medical support for this poor community. Our schools will be closed while the Indian lockdown is in operation.
We urgently seek your continued financial support. Our donation base has significantly reduced over the past two months. Doug revised the budget with our Project Director, and our challenge is that mostly every line of the budget (with the exception of rents and jeep repayments) directly helps people. It is going to be very tough for us to take away the help that they so desperately need. Please consider if you can help us. If everyone who receives this email could donate $5 a week, we would cover our immediate expenses.
You can make a donation by clicking any of the DONATE buttons located here on our website
God bless you and thank you for your support and help.