NZ Freephone CWS Update provides news, information, and stories. Reproduction of items is encouraged with attribution to CWS. Current and back issues are available.
Our latest news
Thank you to everyone who responded so generously to our recent appeals. Your donations to the Climate Appeal meant that we reached our goal and are very close to meeting the one for our Water Appeal. Watch the special message from Leticia.
Charles Rwabambari sent pictures overnight of the dirty water supplying one community without rainwater tanks. He says it is a very dry period and all the water sources are dry in the Isingiro District of Uganda where the Centre for Community Solidarity is based.
“However CWS has done amazing work by financially supporting the families affected by HIV and AIDS to construct rainwater tanks to harvest safe clean water which is always available and reliable. It gives their children opportunities to attend school with improved health condition,” he writes.
Operation Refugee 2024
CWS launched its annual fundraiser for refugees on World Refugee Day, June 20. Dori Lloyd has been talking with schools about joining the challenge. She is keen to talk with anyone working in schools or young people interested in joining the challenge. Maybe you can organise a fundraising activity in your church or community.
Find out more about Operation Refugee. Sign up as a participant or make a donation to show your support.
Stand with Refugees
CWS invites you to remember people displaced by conflict, violence and persecution in your prayers and actions. UNHCR reports that a record 120 million people have been displaced by the end of April this year. More than 43.4 million people are now refugees.
God of Compassion is the title and prayer for this year’s Refugee Sunday materials which can be adapted for any service. The special focus is on the work of our partner, the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon. Special thanks to Rev Mel McKenzie, supervising Chaplain at the University of Victoria and Priest in charge St Anne’s Anglican Church Northland-Wilton who generously contributed a prayer and a story to this year’s resources.
Medical Report from Gaza
Health consultant from DSPR Gaza Dr Bassam Abu Hamad described people with war injuries as well as people with diseases resulting from the deterioration of living conditions, especially overcrowding.
“You will see more than 100 people living together in a classroom,” he said. “In addition to that we see a lot of cases associated with malnutrition and food insecurity.”
Read the latest report from Gaza via the World Council of Churches.
Thank you for standing with the people of Gaza in this time of crisis. We are grateful for your generous support but the need is very great. Please give what you can to the people of Gaza.
Haiti Emergency Appeal
Last month CWS launched a $10,000 appeal for Haiti. Our local partner Institut Culturel Karl Lévêque (ICKL) needs funds to buy the materials to repair the water supply in two schools in Belle Fontaine (one is pictured) and for psychosocial support. Visiting gangs wrecked the current systems and now the students have to walk for an hour each day to collect water for their needs. If you can, please make a donation to the Haiti Emergency Appeal.
End Free Carbon Credits
Last month the Don’t Subsidise Pollution coalition including Christian World Service presented a petition calling for an end to free carbon credits for high polluting companies. CWS Board member Jonathan Fletcher represented the gathering on the steps of parliament. The campaign wants Aotearoa New Zealand to become a low-carbon economy more rapidly by cutting the free carbon credits of some of our largest greenhouse gas-producing industry and incentivising them to invest in more sustainable technology. Thanks to everyone who signed the petition.
Photo: Archbishop Justin Duckworth addresses the gathering. Image: Jonathan Fletcher.
The Sun Entered my Life
Samer fled the war in Syria with his family in 2012. The family settled in Lebanon where Samer dropped out of school in ninth grade because of his experiences. His interest in learning was rekindled when he encountered the teachers at the Sidon Centre who taught in Arabic rather than French as in Lebanese schools. He studied hard and successfully passed his baccalaureate exams back in Syria. Read his story. Watch the video. Please support our Education Appeal and give hope to young people.
Give Gifts of Love
CWS has gifts you will want to give to friends and family for birthdays or other special occasions. You can order e-cards or printed cards from our catalogue at any time. By choosing Gifted, you will be choosing a meaningful gift that will also help someone in need.
Photo credits: WCC/DSPR Gaza, DSPR Lebanon, Albin Hillert/LWF and Jonathan Fletcher.
