News Briefs: October 12, 2006
We Care kits bound for Jerusalem
On Wednesday, CLWR staff worked against snow and cold to load up one of the largest ever shipments of kits to be sent overseas. Over 3,700 assorted kits – the second-largest shipment this decade – are now on their way to Jerusalem. When the container gets opened in Jerusalem, Lutheran World Federation staff will find themselves awash in bright yellow We Care bags that each contain an individual kit – such as a hygiene, school, or sewing kit.
As impressive as the quantity of kits may be, they are not traveling alone. Like any other CLWR shipment there is a mix of quilts, blankets, layettes, soap, and in this case hospital supplies in the same container. In total, CLWR is sending $133,000 of donated goods in this container.
Unseasonable cold and snowy weather in Winnipeg on Tuesday delayed the loading of the donated goods, but only by a few hours. The shipment will make its way to Lutheran World Federation Jerusalem by about November 17. Palestinian children and adults, including those under care at Augusta Victoria Hospital, will benefit from the goods.
–CLWR News Service
Olive harvest begins at Augusta Victoria Hospital
It’s a unique fundraiser that is more important than ever for one hospital on the Mount of Olives. Augusta Victoria Hospital (AVH), operated by the Lutheran World Federation, cares for more than the large population of Palestinians who find themselves without access to affordable healthcare. Staff and volunteers also tend to 800 olive trees that grow on the hillsides on the hospital’s campus.
At this time of the year the crop is ready to be harvested and made into olive oil, which is sold to raise much-needed money for AVH (as well as used by the hospital in its kitchen). As a result of international funding cuts to the Palestinian Authority – which helps to cover staff salaries and other expenses – the olive oil project has taken on an even greater significance. “We will be continuing with our olive oil production; it’s looking like it will be a good harvest in October,” says Margit Christenson, Lutheran World Federation.
AVH serves a vital role in Jerusalem as a major medical centre providing accessible service to the Palestinian community. Many of the services provided are not otherwise available to the community. AVH offers dialysis, pediatric care, surgery, and internal medicine, and has a host of specialists on staff.
Olive oil can be ordered in batches of ten or more bottles at $20US per bottle, shipping included. The oil comes in hand-blown recycled glass bottles made by artisans in Hebron. To order, email info@LWFJerusalem.org and include your mailing address, phone number and desired quantity.
– CLWR News Service
World Food Day is Monday, October 16
World Food Day is being celebrated next Monday with this year’s theme, “Investing in agriculture for food security”. According to the United Nations (UN), the theme underlines the importance of investment in agriculture as the key to economic progress in developing countries.
Food security is a term used by development organizations like CLWR to describe a situation where people have access to a sufficient amount of safe, nutritious food required for healthy living. One of the measures of success CLWR uses in its programming is determining the numbers of households that have achieved food security in CLWR project areas.
In reality, most of the world’s farmers and their families face inadequate access to food. CLWR fosters food security through the support of sustainable agricultural practices; micro-finance to support development of new crops and new farming techniques; making alternative crop varieties available; providing access to safe water; and through the Four Corners alternative trade program which pays farmers a fair price for their coffee, tea and cocoa.
–CLWR News Service with files from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
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