News Briefs
Back to Weekly News Briefs...February 12, 2010
- Fair trade ‘One Month Challenge’ begins February 14
- CLWR receives matching dollar funding from MCIC to support Haiti recovery work
- CLWR supports community development work in Nicaragua
- Updated We Care brochure now available online
Fair trade ‘One Month Challenge’ begins February 14
The Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC), in conjunction with Fair Trade Manitoba, is set to launch the 2010 One Month Challenge (OMC). Taking part in the OMC gives an opportunity to show support for producers in the developing world by consuming only fair trade brands of coffee, tea and chocolate for 30 days beginning February 14. Last year, 5,000 Manitobans took the challenge by pledging their commitment and getting friends and colleagues to sign on as well.
When you buy fair trade, it means that producers in the developing world have received a fair wage for what they produce, so they are able to better support their families and communities. This alternative approach to trade encourages more sustainable farm management practices, better conditions for workers, and more democratic procedures within the workplace. Fair trade also means no child labour has been used in production.
You don't have to live in Manitoba to join the challenge. To sign up, visit http://fairtrademanitoba.ca/.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) supporters are reminded that fairly traded gifts and home décor items, coffee, tea and chocolate are available from Four Corners. You can shop online at www.clwr.org or, if in Winnipeg, visit the Four Corners store at 549 King Edward Street. CLWR is a founding member of MCIC.
CLWR receives matching dollar funding from MCIC to support Haiti recovery work
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), in conjuction with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund and the United Church of Canada, has been awarded $89,000 in matching funds for Haiti relief from the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC). CLWR played a lead role in preparing the application to MCIC. All four participants in the proposal are members of the Canadian Churches in Action (CCA), a coalition of Canadian churches and church-based international development agencies.
The matching funds will be channeled to the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) and will be used primarily to provide shelter and supporting water and sanitation services. Shelter is becoming an increasing concern with the imminent arrival of the rainy season.
CCA is in the process of preparing a similar application to the Canadian International Development Agency for matching funds being set aside by the federal government. CLWR is also playing a lead role in preparing this application.
CLWR supports community development work in Nicaragua
Since 1999, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) has partnered with Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) to support community development projects of the Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua (ILSN). In 2010, CLWR has made a financial commitment of $36,500 to two projects deemed a priority by the LCC.
CLWR will continue its support of the Christian Children Education Program. The program, conducted in all 23 congregations of ILSN, provides an average of 25 scholarships in each community to the neediest children. The scholarship includes the required school uniform, shoes, backpack and school supplies. Each child is also enrolled in the tutoring and Christian Education class held five days a week during that period of time when the children are not in school (Children attend school either during the morning or afternoon hours.) These classes, held in the churches and led by teachers and deaconesses, provide tutoring and homework support for the children in Math, Spanish and other subjects; A portion of the time is also set aside for Christian Education and cultural activities. There are over 750 children enrolled in the program. CLWR has provided support for about 250 children.
In 2010, CLWR will also help fund a medical and dental clinic operated by ILSN. The medical clinic, which began operations in May 2009, is open every Thursday, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and remaining open until all patients have seen the doctor. The clinic is staffed by qualified medical personnel who see an average of 40-45 patients each week. In treating a whole range of concerns, the clinic provides the most common types of medication prescribed as many of the patients are too poor to purchase the medication themselves.
Robert Granke, executive director of CLWR, visited congregations of the ILSN in November. You can read more about his visit in the Spring 2010 issue of the Partnership newsletter.
--with files from LCC.
Updated We Care brochure now available online
Supporters of the We Care Program of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) should visit the CLWR website (www.clwr.org) to download the recently revised We Care information package. The updated document includes minor changes to the content of some of the kits, new instructions on how to pack some of the kits as well as revised information about how to get the kits to CLWR’s Winnipeg warehouse.
Patrick Stewart, coordinator of the We Care program, is busy these days preparing for the next overseas shipment. Approximately 14,000 kilograms of materials, including some medical equipment and supplies contributed by International HOPE, will be on their way to Nicaragua within the next few weeks.
For more information about the We Care program, please visit www.clwr.org/What-We-Do and click on Donated Commodities.
Back to Weekly News Briefs...
The Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC), in conjunction with Fair Trade Manitoba, is set to launch the 2010 One Month Challenge (OMC). Taking part in the OMC gives an opportunity to show support for producers in the developing world by consuming only fair trade brands of coffee, tea and chocolate for 30 days beginning February 14. Last year, 5,000 Manitobans took the challenge by pledging their commitment and getting friends and colleagues to sign on as well.
When you buy fair trade, it means that producers in the developing world have received a fair wage for what they produce, so they are able to better support their families and communities. This alternative approach to trade encourages more sustainable farm management practices, better conditions for workers, and more democratic procedures within the workplace. Fair trade also means no child labour has been used in production.
You don't have to live in Manitoba to join the challenge. To sign up, visit http://fairtrademanitoba.ca/.
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) supporters are reminded that fairly traded gifts and home décor items, coffee, tea and chocolate are available from Four Corners. You can shop online at www.clwr.org or, if in Winnipeg, visit the Four Corners store at 549 King Edward Street. CLWR is a founding member of MCIC.
CLWR receives matching dollar funding from MCIC to support Haiti recovery work
Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR), in conjuction with the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund and the United Church of Canada, has been awarded $89,000 in matching funds for Haiti relief from the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation (MCIC). CLWR played a lead role in preparing the application to MCIC. All four participants in the proposal are members of the Canadian Churches in Action (CCA), a coalition of Canadian churches and church-based international development agencies.
The matching funds will be channeled to the ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) and will be used primarily to provide shelter and supporting water and sanitation services. Shelter is becoming an increasing concern with the imminent arrival of the rainy season.
CCA is in the process of preparing a similar application to the Canadian International Development Agency for matching funds being set aside by the federal government. CLWR is also playing a lead role in preparing this application.
CLWR supports community development work in Nicaragua
Since 1999, Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) has partnered with Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC) to support community development projects of the Iglesia Luterana Sinodo de Nicaragua (ILSN). In 2010, CLWR has made a financial commitment of $36,500 to two projects deemed a priority by the LCC.
CLWR will continue its support of the Christian Children Education Program. The program, conducted in all 23 congregations of ILSN, provides an average of 25 scholarships in each community to the neediest children. The scholarship includes the required school uniform, shoes, backpack and school supplies. Each child is also enrolled in the tutoring and Christian Education class held five days a week during that period of time when the children are not in school (Children attend school either during the morning or afternoon hours.) These classes, held in the churches and led by teachers and deaconesses, provide tutoring and homework support for the children in Math, Spanish and other subjects; A portion of the time is also set aside for Christian Education and cultural activities. There are over 750 children enrolled in the program. CLWR has provided support for about 250 children.
In 2010, CLWR will also help fund a medical and dental clinic operated by ILSN. The medical clinic, which began operations in May 2009, is open every Thursday, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and remaining open until all patients have seen the doctor. The clinic is staffed by qualified medical personnel who see an average of 40-45 patients each week. In treating a whole range of concerns, the clinic provides the most common types of medication prescribed as many of the patients are too poor to purchase the medication themselves.
Robert Granke, executive director of CLWR, visited congregations of the ILSN in November. You can read more about his visit in the Spring 2010 issue of the Partnership newsletter.
--with files from LCC.
Updated We Care brochure now available online
Supporters of the We Care Program of Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR) should visit the CLWR website (www.clwr.org) to download the recently revised We Care information package. The updated document includes minor changes to the content of some of the kits, new instructions on how to pack some of the kits as well as revised information about how to get the kits to CLWR’s Winnipeg warehouse.
Patrick Stewart, coordinator of the We Care program, is busy these days preparing for the next overseas shipment. Approximately 14,000 kilograms of materials, including some medical equipment and supplies contributed by International HOPE, will be on their way to Nicaragua within the next few weeks.
For more information about the We Care program, please visit www.clwr.org/What-We-Do and click on Donated Commodities.
