Working with People in Crisis
We support the Harlow Food Bank who work to restore dignity and revive hope, seeking to combat hidden hunger in Harlow by supporting local people in crisis. The project puts together emergency food parcels for people who find themselves without the means to live, usually because they are waiting for benefits to come through. We collect tinned and dried foods, and there is a box for donations of these at the back of St. Martin’s church, which are then passed on to the Harlow Food Bank. The charity “banks” these in a warehouse with similar donations from the public at supermarkets, churches, schools and other local groups. Food is then given to people in crisis as a result of referrals from registered care professionals such as Social Services, Health Visitors and other carers working in the front line. |
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Tonampari School Project, Ecuador
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Carmen is a 16 year old, living in the jungle community of Selva Norte in Ecuador. There are about 2,600 residents in the community living in typical houses constructed of bamboo with thatched roofs. The diet in the region consists of bananas, fish, cassava root and plantains and the health problems in the area include diarrhoea, parasites, malaria and snake bites. Most adults are unemployed although some do work on the plantations, earning the equivalent of £7 per month.
We have sponsored Carmen’s education at the Tonampari School project for thirteen years. As well as general education, Carmen receives Bible teaching, medical check-ups and recreational activities. The school also provides workshops on family values for parents.
Carmen lives with the 2 brothers and one sister under the care of her mother who is a farmer and who sometimes finds other employment. The father left the family in 2001. Carmen helps her mother in the fields and her home duties include running errands, carrying water and gathering firewood. She attends Sunday School and Church regularly and enjoys spending time with her friends, walking, swimming, running and playing ball games.
We receive letters from Carmen regularly and Pauline Benbrook, who co-ordinates this project, writes to her. We hope to be able to continue to sponsor Carmen until she completes her education.
We sponsor Carmen through ‘Compassion’, a Christian charity with more than 50 years experience of working with children in poverty, caring for more than a million children in 25 of the world’s poorest countries. Sponsorship is focussed on Carmen and her individual needs but the benefits are felt throughout her family and community. Children assisted by Compassion often teach the rest of the family what they learn and, as they live out the values they have been taught, become change makers in their communities.
Sponsorship is £10 per year and if you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact the Rector on 01277 362173 or through the Who's Who Page of this website. |
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