“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. ”
Micah 6.8 (NIV)
We see and hear of such injustice and cruelty in our world, so let us bring the love of God, mercy and refreshment to those in great need. The charities we support all help people in need physically, mentally and spiritually both here and overseas. Please give whatever you can; together we can make a real difference.
Bex Henderson at Loved Children’s Centre
JENGA Community Development Outreach is 20 years old this year and Bex spent her Gap year there in its early days and, as soon as she had completed university, went back to start a day-care for babies and little ones allowing poor single mothers to work. It all expanded rapidly taking in both malnourished and disabled little ones in a country where disabilities are hidden. Loved celebrates them, encouraging good nutrition, physiotherapy and play. The nursery school takes the neediest children, preparing them for school with feeding programmes and education for the parents on nutrition, showing them how to use cheap, easily available but nourishing food. Loved raised funds to build its own nursery and school and more recently erected a community centre that can be used for education and celebrations. They have a devoted staff whose passion is for the wellbeing of every child. They support families when a child is hospitalised and never turn a needy one away. They have parents coming from miles away, having heard of the miracles of Loved. This year, Bex ran the London marathon to raise funds. Let us help her and all at Loved.
The Leprosy Mission
Since 1874, the Leprosy Mission has led the fight against this disease that attacks the nerve endings close to the skin, resulting in a lack of feeling and eventually the loss of use of the limb, so that working becomes impossible. This Christian mission, on which Diana White serves as a trustee, believes this treatable and preventable disease can be eradicated in the 27 countries across Africa and Asia where there are still many people affected. Their mission statement is “Leprosy defeated – Lives transformed.” As Jesus offered compassion and caring to leprosy sufferers, they provide inclusion of all regardless of their belief or race. Everyone is treated as an equal in the quest to rid the world of leprosy with pioneering research on drugs, surgery and developing vaccines.
Embrace the Middle East
Embrace believes in faith in action, and they work in many places throughout the Middle East where conflict and wars seem endless. They provide education for children with disabilities as well as support for the whole family. In Syria many children have been traumatised by the civil war and Embrace has provided safe spaces where they can have education and emotional support. In Iraq, they are providing small loans and grants to help people start small businesses. Since the war in Gaza, they are providing much-needed medical and humanitarian aid to those who have fled their homes with nothing. Since the hospital they supported was destroyed, Embrace has used many mobile clinics. They also travel to remote places for treating those who have chronic conditions and are unable to travel for healthcare. They will treat anyone regardless of race or religion.
Sunnyside Rural Trust
Sunnyside Rural Trust was started when a parent wanted more for their child with learning difficulties than the indoor day centre that was available at the time. They wanted meaningful work experience with horticulture. Today it is a thriving community supporting 170 vulnerable adults in a safe environment where they are employed at four different centres, growing plants, landscaping, keeping bees, chickens and doing garden maintenance. At the Hemel Food Garden, they have a very successful tea room. The latest project is the Orchard Nursery, an established business that has brought new opportunities for the Sunnyside team. Experienced garden designers are involved with the project to grow plants for the hospital gardens at Mount Vernon where many people receive cancer treatment. This project will bring a beautiful, relaxing and healing place for patients, staff and volunteers alike. The staff at Sunnyside Rural Trust are a dedicated team, passionate about their work to improve the lives of those who would not otherwise have opportunities like these.
The Swan Youth Project
The Swan Youth Project supports young people from our area throughout the year. It offers a safe and welcoming place to go to after school with something to do, somewhere to go and someone to listen. They offer games/sports such as snooker and boxing, a place to simply meet friends; handicrafts are offered and the opportunity to cook a meal and eat together. The focus is to equip youngsters for life ahead and they run a Life Skills programme. Recently, the “You are not alone“ programme has been introduced to support the mental health of those who attend. The Swan team say they may be small but they have big ideas, boundless energy and are passionate about helping the young people who need them; however, like so many charities, they struggle to secure funding. Our donation means so much to them. They welcome visitors to see what they do, and the kettle is always on.
The Hospice of St. Francis
The hospice is a gift to the community. One in four people are not able to have the end-of-life care they would like and the hospice addresses this issue. They give support to those with life-shortening conditions and provide end-of-life care. Every year they support more than 2000 people in Herts and Bucks to live their precious lives well, helping them to relieve symptoms and achieve personal goals while they feel safe to do so. Each person is assessed individually and all care is free, at home, in the hospice or in the wellbeing centre where they offer workshops, clinics and therapies. Bereavement counselling and support are available after a death to loved ones. To provide free services for one year, it costs £6 million. One lady said: “I’m so grateful my husband was so well cared for and our whole family was supported with the care we needed – I don’t know what we would have done without them; they were all so dedicated.”
Justin and Lucy Groves at St Stephens Church at Pillgwenlly
Justin and Lucy (Humphrey Norrington’s daughter) live in and serve a very deprived multicultural area of Newport. Pillgwenlly, known to everyone locally as Pill, used to be the Newport’s docklands area. The couple’s enthusiasm and care for its people are infectious and they serve the community there with a passion. The Pill Trust was founded by them to support local families to address poverty and seek justice for the neglected and unheard in a place where homelessness and addiction are commonplace. They run community groups and have holiday provision, a community food pantry, a clothes swap, and a garden with a play area in the safety of the church grounds that is open every day. Lucy recently started a Bible study for ladies and they have a variety of church services for everyone.