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Insight Summer 2008 |
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The Rehoboth Children's Centre in the Philippines rescues young lives from abject poverty and places them in Christian families worldwide where they will receive the best love and care.
Providing Survival Paks in Uganda can often mean the difference between life and death for many families with loved ones affected with aids. A gift designated to project 073 will provide food and clothing as well as hope and encouragement for the future.
"If you care about deaf children in Africa then please consider Siloam as your channel of blessing to help Lambwe Christian School for the Deaf."
Giving medical care to those who are unable to afford it is a valuable Christian witness in South India. At the Gilead hospital located south of Chennai, patients receive urgent medical attention at a subsidised cost made possible by Siloam's many supporters
For a child sponsor to visit the children they are sponsoring overseas, can be a very life changing experience. In 2006 over £7,000.00 was spent on sponsoring around 154 children and their families in Vietnam by around 150+ UK sponsors. It costs just £10.00 per month to sponsor a child in Vietnam.
2. Dr Devdutt Thomas the senior ophthalmologist at the Siloam Thomas Eye Hospital Coimbatore in South India. Making eye care available to those least able to afford it. If you value your eyesight, please consider a gift to project 009 to help someone in India with a glaucoma or cataract problem.
The lifesaving ministry of Rehoboth received £5,000.00 from Siloam supporters in 2006. This little sibling group are now rapidly gaining weight and settling into the routine of this lovely well appointed children's facility. If you would like to know more about Rehoboth, please ask for our special project 006 newsletter which will be published in August.
The Childcare Worldwide Survival Pak programme in Mexico helps keep families together and is literally a lifeline to ladies like Elvira in the slums of Tijuana. In 2006 Siloam's UK supporters contributed £6,600.00 towards this life saving project. |
Reality for Children at Risk Project 042
For most deaf children in Kenya getting access to a basic education is still a dream. The government has a policy of free primary education but the reality of this does not extend to the tuition of the deaf.
Deaf children are considered a punishment for their parents' misdeeds. Their situation is made even worse by the belief that if the families/clans help them, they themselves will incur the fury of the spirits. This is the reality for those suffering with disabilities in remote parts of Africa. Until fairly recent times similar beliefs were held in Europe.
Lambwe Christian School for the Deaf is changing life for these children at risk. 'Disability is not inability' insists Head Teacher Margaret Odhiambo. 'It is our wish to increase access to special needs education for deaf children within our district to at least 90% by 2010. To achieve this, the staff and pupils are already involved in outreach programmes locally.'
The area itself where the school is located remains difficult due to its remoteness. Most of the children come from homesteads ravaged by poverty and almost a third are orphaned due to HIV/AIDS related complications. They seem destined to become servants, field labourers or child prostitutes.
Nelda Kroll, the dynamic driving force behind the school says, 'This area has suffered years of crop failure. The children are very undernourished. But they are very happy and thankful with a positive outlook for their future.'
Help In Sight Project 009
Eye care remains an urgent need in India. Siloam eye camps especially help impoverished people who cannot afford medical care. On average, during an eye camp it is estimated that 10% will benefit from cataract surgery.
Cataract operations help many to gain or recover their eyesight. But sometimes following a cataract operation, patients suffer from a misting behind the lens. This can be corrected with laser treatment.
With a quick blast of the laser, unimpaired sight is obtained. Siloam Thomas Eye Hospital regularly provides this treatment for patients. There is only a minimal charge and, for those coming from eye camps, treatment is free.
When UK Director Richard Norton attended an eye camp at school grounds during a visit to India earlier this year, he saw the sports field being prepared for the Christian meeting scheduled for that evening.
There was opposition from factions opposed to the Christian faith as he explains. 'One opposing group persisted in causing a nuisance by removing some of our banners. Also, a number of people were threatened not to come to the meeting. Nevertheless the gospel was preached and we later heard that many in the nearby area could hear over the loudspeakers.' Siloam aims to provide spiritual insight as well as eyesight to those in need.
Leamington Christian Mission Project 017
Gruesome headlines spelled out the plight of a vulnerable elderly woman named Sue: 'Woman set on fire...''...torched in sickening attack'.
'It was a tragedy waiting to happen' commented Siloam Director Richard Norton. For months he had observed Sue, a homeless woman in Leamington Spa suffering from mental health problems, who slept in shop doorways. Leamington Christian Mission helped her with food and bedding.
Then on the night of the 29th of November, she was viciously attacked. Her survival was a matter of uncertainty. Authorities said their search for her attackers could easily have been a murder enquiry.
It is reasonable to ask why such a preventable tragedy was not averted. Local residents who have seen Sue Timms describe her as a vulnerable woman, confused and distressed.
In Leamington Spa, there is a shortage of places for vulnerable people like Sue. Even feeding them is becoming more difficult as Steph and Geoff Devlin of Leamington Christian Mission are experiencing. Until recently, 90% of the food they distributed came from Marks and Spencer's unused sandwiches and cakes. Now there is a policy in place to bin the food rather than pass it on to this local charity. According to a news item, this is due to their company regulations.
'They have helped us for a long time and we're very grateful for that' was Steph Devlin's response. 'We look at things through our faith and believe that God has closed this door for a reason. We are sure He will provide us with something else.' *
Siloam remains committed to alleviating the suffering of people here as well as abroad. Richard Norton says, 'We hope people will become concerned enough to engage with the authorities and decision makers who can really make a difference.'
*Ed. Sainsbury stores in Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth have now pledged their support - Praise the Lord!
The Difference between Life and Death Project 073
In spite of sad conditions in Uganda, there are also the happy, smiling faces of the boys and girls in Childcare Worldwide (CCW) orphanages and schools. Then too there are groups of boys and girls who make up the Ugandan Orphans Choirs. Some are completing their training right now and will go on tour to the U.S.
CCW President Max Lange, Ph. D. explains what he anticipates on his trips to Uganda, 'There are, inevitably, the encounters that will bring sadness to my heart. We will see the bodies that are wasting away from the scourge of AIDS. We will see the orphaned youngsters who are living on their own. Others are living with the one remaining relative, who is often not able to take care of the number of children that are orphaned from the extended family.
'Last year, in Uganda, I met Babirye, a blind grandmother, who takes care of her three orphaned grandchildren. How could she take care of them? She had hardly enough food for herself, let alone for the children. This is one case where our Survival Paks really make the difference between life and death! For Babirye and her grandchildren it made survival possible!
'There are many more cases like this. I have seen older widows who tried to take care of as many as ten, even twelve children. How could they do this? Only with the help of Survival Paks given to them by our caring Ugandan staff.'
Together Child Sponsorship Project 043
Living in Cowdenbeath, Fife, Elizabeth Lonie truly has been a 'universal mother', sponsoring numerous children in different countries over the years:
'Before giving my life to the Lord, I was a product of broken relationships, a broken marriage, divorce, with no children. On coming to the Lord, He told me conclusively that I would not marry again, that I would be "exclusively His".
'In knowing me, He knew in my heart I longed for a large family, being an only child myself. The Lord told me that I would be a universal mother. Slowly He showed me and I became involved with sponsoring children.
'Now I sponsor a Vietnamese boy named Huymh van Ngoc. He was 12 years old when I first started sponsoring him three years ago. He tells me about his family, his mother, gran and sister, and calls me Aunt Elizabeth. I try to help him and encourage him in the things he's good at - he likes geography, history and sports.
'The bond you have with your child is special. The letters make my day; the photos are regular and treasured. I feel part of the family.
'We are always told to invest our money in bricks and mortar, but no amount of money can achieve the sense of fulfillment I have from knowing that the legacy I hope to leave this world through the Lord is the legacy of life.'
Life Threatening Ratings Project 069
When hunger and malnutrition are taken into account, India rates high among the world's nations. According to the Global Hunger Index, India ranks 96th of 119 countries surveyed (119 being the worst).
When the same countries are examined for child malnutrition only, India moves to place 117. With these conditions, severe health problems develop and some prove life threatening.
Through the Gilead Hospital in Chennai, many people who would otherwise have no chance to see a doctor are able to receive treatment. Earlier this year a public notice went out to inform people that a free medical clinic would be held. Usually medical camps are held out in the villages but this time it was right in the hospital itself.
Most of the patients were mothers with small children who suffered from colds with fever, runny noses and coughs, as well as diarrhoea. These symptoms are very common when a child is malnourished.
Other cases included respiratory diseases, anemia and worms. One girl was treated for severe dehydration. Two doctors and several nurses took care of the patients and when medication was needed, they were able to fill the prescriptions right there at the hospital.
Patients and their families are thankful for being treated not only free of charge but also in a friendly, caring way. In spite of difficult health conditions, the Gilead hospital proves to be a lifeline and a constant witness for the Christian faith.
Rehoboth Family Reunion Project 006
No, it's not your ordinary family! It's one that began with a loving vision for children in the Philippines who were abandoned, neglected or abused.
Fe Canlas, the Deputy Administrator of the Rehoboth Children's Home, knows the stories of all of the children who have entered through its doors. She has been there since its inception when the Home first began receiving children in 2003.
She supervises the care of these children from infancy to toddlerhood, making sure that they received the nourishment, medical attention and, above all, the love that they need in order to thrive. Fe works alongside social workers so that these children can be adopted.
It is a bittersweet experience for Fe when the day comes for the children to leave with their adoptive families. And yet, she rejoices over their hopeful future.
Three children found homes in Australia. Their adoptive families send Fe ongoing communications, photos and updates on how their children are doing. These Australian families also make an effort to visit one another periodically to keep the Rehoboth connection for their children. The families are spread out so it is quite a commitment when living on a large continent!
Recently the Australian families held a Rehoboth family reunion, inviting guests such as Fe. Her loving children were reunited with Auntie Fe and the time was special for all of this extended family.
Not Just a Holiday Spot Project 047
Many UK holidaymakers enjoy the popular destination of Portugal, a land of sun drenched beach resorts and historic sites. Yet it is also one of the poorest countries in the EU, plagued by slums, homelessness and drugs.
An influx of people from former colonial areas and contemporary Eastern Europe has led to a multi-ethnic society.
In this setting, the Maj-Lis Humanitarian Foundation is helping people to break out of their grinding cycle of poverty. Maj-Lis Johansson of the Foundation tells of a happy young man of 25 who came running up to her, holding out his arms. She recognised him and recalled his family story. 'They lived in an almost empty shed just beside a nasty smelling brook, right across the street from where we lived. He was one of five children who were always locked up! The mother went to work and locked up the children who had to stay in the house but could go up to the roof.
'The boy remembered all the bags I had bought them, with food and clothes. And the wonderful summer camps! Now he is employed in this excellent shopping centre with the shoemaker. He beams with pride to be able to appear before me in this environment.'
The Foundation works to bring such hope to both individuals and families, sharing the love of God in practical ways.
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