News Briefs
Back to Weekly News Briefs...October 2, 2008
- Palestinian hospital expansion starts
- Fast for change
- Elect to make poverty history
Palestinian hospital expansion starts
“Augusta Victoria Hospital is in the process of formulating a new long-term vision, based on a model of providing holistic care to patients and their families,” says Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s Executive Director Robert Granke of the CLWR-supported construction now taking place at the Palestinian hospital. Last April, CLWR and the Canadian International Development Agency announced funding for expansion of the hospital’s geriatric ward. Today, demolition of the old portion is almost complete and finishing work is being started.
Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) is located in Jerusalem and is a primary diagnostic and care centre for many Palestinians who must be bussed into the city, passing first through Israeli checkpoints. Their difficult situation was the focus of a story earlier this week on a radio program of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
“The work is projected for completion next April,” says Granke. “At that point, the hospital will become a place where the spiritual and emotional needs can be better attended. The new beds will allow families to stay with terminally ill members, which is not a reality now. The expansion is about more than accommodating a higher number of patients; it’s about providing a higher quality of service as well.”
Fast for change
It may not fall within Lent, but October 16 is a day that many Christians across Canada will be holding a fast from food. They are joining one another in a campaign named Fast for Change to show fellow Canadians that global hunger issues do matter here at home, and that Canadians can make a difference. Fast for Change is a campaign of Canadian Foodgrains Bank and takes place on World Food Day.
“We all see our food costs rising, right here in Canada. We hear our own farmers talk about the new costs of fuel and fertilizer. We’re in a better position than ever to understand and truly empathize with people who are living much closer to the margins of poverty, and who are now facing hunger,” says Daranne Harris, CLWR’s director of communications and education.
Unfair trade policies, over-consumption and the existence of 850 million chronically malnourished people are today’s reality. As Harris points out, “We as Canadian Christians do have the power to change the statistics, change the rules, and change lives.”
Make a commitment to join Fast for Change by visiting www.endhungerfast.com or by calling Canadian Foodgrains Bank toll-free 1.800.665.0377. The website also contains a wealth of information and resources.
Elect to make poverty history
As Canadians prepare to go to the polls on October 14, CLWR is asking people to consider how their party of choice has decided to commit to international development and relief.
“Support from the Government of Canada plays a significant role in our ability to respond to disasters and support international development,” says Robert Granke, CLWR’s executive director. “It’s important for Canadians of all political stripes to understand that the work of CLWR is carried out within a broader context that is defined by national policies that affect the funding of work, the support of refugees, and the timely response following humanitarian disasters.”
CLWR supports the campaign, Make Poverty History, which has geared up for Canada’s fortieth general election. The campaign (www.makepovertyhistory.ca) is encouraging government to make progress in four key areas: more and better aid, trade justice, debt cancellation, and ending child poverty.
“An election is a great time to make your voice heard,” says Granke. “Go and find out your candidates’ views on official development assistance or ‘ODA’, and let them know that these are issues that matter to you and your community.”
Back to Weekly News Briefs...
“Augusta Victoria Hospital is in the process of formulating a new long-term vision, based on a model of providing holistic care to patients and their families,” says Canadian Lutheran World Relief’s Executive Director Robert Granke of the CLWR-supported construction now taking place at the Palestinian hospital. Last April, CLWR and the Canadian International Development Agency announced funding for expansion of the hospital’s geriatric ward. Today, demolition of the old portion is almost complete and finishing work is being started.
Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH) is located in Jerusalem and is a primary diagnostic and care centre for many Palestinians who must be bussed into the city, passing first through Israeli checkpoints. Their difficult situation was the focus of a story earlier this week on a radio program of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
“The work is projected for completion next April,” says Granke. “At that point, the hospital will become a place where the spiritual and emotional needs can be better attended. The new beds will allow families to stay with terminally ill members, which is not a reality now. The expansion is about more than accommodating a higher number of patients; it’s about providing a higher quality of service as well.”
Fast for change
It may not fall within Lent, but October 16 is a day that many Christians across Canada will be holding a fast from food. They are joining one another in a campaign named Fast for Change to show fellow Canadians that global hunger issues do matter here at home, and that Canadians can make a difference. Fast for Change is a campaign of Canadian Foodgrains Bank and takes place on World Food Day.
“We all see our food costs rising, right here in Canada. We hear our own farmers talk about the new costs of fuel and fertilizer. We’re in a better position than ever to understand and truly empathize with people who are living much closer to the margins of poverty, and who are now facing hunger,” says Daranne Harris, CLWR’s director of communications and education.
Unfair trade policies, over-consumption and the existence of 850 million chronically malnourished people are today’s reality. As Harris points out, “We as Canadian Christians do have the power to change the statistics, change the rules, and change lives.”
Make a commitment to join Fast for Change by visiting www.endhungerfast.com or by calling Canadian Foodgrains Bank toll-free 1.800.665.0377. The website also contains a wealth of information and resources.
Elect to make poverty history
As Canadians prepare to go to the polls on October 14, CLWR is asking people to consider how their party of choice has decided to commit to international development and relief.
“Support from the Government of Canada plays a significant role in our ability to respond to disasters and support international development,” says Robert Granke, CLWR’s executive director. “It’s important for Canadians of all political stripes to understand that the work of CLWR is carried out within a broader context that is defined by national policies that affect the funding of work, the support of refugees, and the timely response following humanitarian disasters.”
CLWR supports the campaign, Make Poverty History, which has geared up for Canada’s fortieth general election. The campaign (www.makepovertyhistory.ca) is encouraging government to make progress in four key areas: more and better aid, trade justice, debt cancellation, and ending child poverty.
“An election is a great time to make your voice heard,” says Granke. “Go and find out your candidates’ views on official development assistance or ‘ODA’, and let them know that these are issues that matter to you and your community.”
