World Methodist Council

However busy you are, please don't forget to visit
the President and Vice-President's blog to follow the very interesting account by our Vice-President, Dr. Richard Vautrey, of the Methodist work in Chile, as he accompanies his wife to the Methodist World Council meeting - this year in Santiago. You will get an even better idea of the people and their work if you remember to click on each photo, to enlarge them and see them in greater detail. There is sure to be more to come yet before Dr. Vautrey and his wife return home on Saturday, and I shall be eagerly waiting to follow this exciting visit.

Then we can look forward to our President, the Revd David Gamble's, visit next week to the wonderful work funded by MRDF in India and his reports and photos from there.

MRDF goes bananas at Methodist Conference!

The newly inducted president and vice-president of Conference cut a giant banana cake to mark the official launch of Methodist Relief and Development Fund's new harvest resource, Enriching Harvest, at Methodist Conference in Wolverhampton.

The banana theme reflects the work that MRDF is doing in India, which is the focus of this year’s harvest pack. With MRDF support, Dalit communities are transforming once barren land into fruitful fields. Gangi (pictured) used to look at his land in dismay – now he sees a small but profitable banana plantation. He says, "We are getting livelihoods from this land and food for our families. For this we are thankful to you."

Source: Methodist News Service

Looking for ways to make your mark?

Are you looking for ways to make a difference to the world's poorest communities? Do you want to find out how you can empower people to escape the poverty trap?

Come to an MRDF Make Your Mark Conference and be inspired to take simple actions on crucial development issues. The event will give you the tools and information you need to do something extraordinary for some of the world's most vulnerable people. Conferences will be held across the UK.

The events will include:

two workshops on key global development topics*
updates and first-hand accounts of MRDF's life-changing work
ideas for individual and group action
preview of MRDF's 2009 Harvest pack.

*Workshops will be facilitated by development experts from Fairtrade Foundation, Stop Climate Chaos, Jubilee Debt Campaign or Trade Justice Movement.

There is a £5 registration fee – MRDF Coordinators get in FREE. The events will run from 10.30am to 4.30pm and lunch will be provided. They will be held at the following locations:

London 23 May 2009
Birmingham 30 May 2009
York 13 June 2009
Stockport 13 June 2009
Exeter 20 June 2009

Reserve your place now - call us on 020 7467 5132 or download the registration form (Word Doc 75KB) on www.mrdf.org.uk.

donate now
make more small miracles possible sign up
and receive regular updates from MRDF

PREMIER RADIO AND MRDF SAY IT’S TIME TO CHANGE THE WORLD

This Lent, Premier Christian Radio and the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) are challenging people to take simple actions that will change the world. As high food prices threaten to push 100 million people deeper into poverty and the global economic crisis persists, the organisations have produced a radio series to remind people that they can make a difference to people living in the world’s poorest communities.

The series, which comprises six internet programmes and exclusive interviews on Premier’s Sunday Breakfast, is based on MRDF’s study pack, What does the Bible say about changing the world? It will focus on Biblical characters and people from MRDF’s overseas work who have made an extraordinary difference. It will also give listeners ideas of simple actions they can take to empower some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

The President of the Methodist Conference, Revd Stephen Poxon, recorded the biblical reflections for the series. He said: ‘I am thrilled to be a part of Premier’s Lent series and to champion the work of MRDF. I recently visited its project for street children in Bangladesh, where I saw love in action as vulnerable youngsters were cared for by people who could have been doing less risky work. Through my reflections, I hope to encourage us to nurture this kind of selflessness in our everyday lives.’

Peter Kerridge, Premier’s Chief Executive, said: ‘These programmes are of great importance because they do not only highlight the global crisis that we face, they offer listeners ways to respond to the issues and make a real change through MRDF.’

MRDF Director Kirsty Smith said: ‘We are excited about our collaboration with Premier Radio for this Lent series. The MRDF staff have been privileged to meet ordinary people overseas, as well as within the UK, who are helping to make a tangible difference in some of the world’s poorest communities. We are delighted to have this opportunity to tell some of their stories and to reflect on Biblical principles that inspire us all to use what we have to change the world.’

The internet programmes can be downloaded from www.premier.org.uk/lent. Exclusive live interviews with people who have seen MRDF’s work first-hand will feature on Premier’s Sunday Breakfast between 8-10am until 12 April, 2009. Listeners can order MRDF’s study pack, What does the Bible say about changing the world? for use in their house groups and youth groups from www.mrdf.org.uk.


Source; Methodist News Service 27/02/2009

MRDF appeals for support for crisis-hit countries

This Christmas, the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is calling on people to remember those affected by humanitarian crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zimbabwe. MRDF is supporting appeals through ACT (Action by Churches Together) International that will provide emergency supplies to some of the thousands of people who have been affected.

In the DRC, an estimated 250,000 people fled their homes when fighting broke out between Government forces and rebel fighters in October. At the time, reports from the country included stories of killing, rape, looting and children being forced to fight – UNICEF calls eastern Congo ‘the worst place in the world to be a child’.

ACT staff were able to deliver some initial assistance to crisis-hit areas. They are now assessing the current needs and are planning to provide food to severely malnourished children, safe water and psycho-social support to people affected by the conflict. Many families had to leave their land before their crops were harvested. Under these proposals, displaced families would also be given tools and seeds to ensure that there is food in their communities next year.

In Zimbabwe, a cholera epidemic has worsened the crisis in a country already suffering from desperate food shortages, a growing HIV/AIDS problem and economic instability. MRDF would like to thank everyone who has donated so far to the appeal launched in April. Over £30,000 has been raised and has been used to provide food supplies, supplementary vitamins for those living with HIV/AIDS, counselling for AIDS orphans and small livestock for food and breeding. However, the needs are huge, and growing. Further donations to this appeal will continue to provide this vital support to some of Zimbabwe’s most vulnerable households.

MRDF Director Kirsty Smith said: ‘For most of us in the UK, Christmas will be a time of sharing with friends and family. But many people living in Zimbabwe and the DRC face an uncertain future of insecurity, chronic hunger and sickness. These appeals give us the opportunity to assist thousands of people living in desperate and unstable situations.’

Donations for Zimbabwe and the DRC can be made by debit or credit card on 020 7224 4814, or by cheque, payable to “MRDF (Zimbabwe emergency)” or “MRDF (DRC emergency)”, posted to MRDF, Methodist Church House,
25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR.

Taxpayers are encouraged to gift-aid their donations where possible, adding a value of 28p to every pound they give, at no extra personal cost.


Source: Methodist News Service 19 February 2008

BETTER THAN BUBBLE BATH

Extraordinary gifts for Christmas

As many of us rack our brains for the perfect gift for that difficult relative, the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is encouraging people to do something life-changing this Christmas. It has launched an all-new range of gifts: ordinary-sounding things that make an extraordinary difference to people living in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Extraordinary gifts provide a variety of opportunities, such as sending a child to school in Bangladesh or giving families in El Salvador a wood-saving stove. A colourful card and magnet explain all about the small miracle that each item enables – and with prices from £7 and gifts from around the world – it’s not hard to find the perfect miracle – whomever you are buying for.

MRDF’s Director of Supporter Relations, Amanda Norman, says: ‘Understandably, people will want to be careful with their money this Christmas. Buying one of MRDF’s Extraordinary gifts is money well spent – a meaningful gift that will change the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.’

Each gift comes from ongoing work carried out through responsible, local agencies that know what is best for their communities. MRDF works closely with its partners ensure everything it supports is safe, sustainable and situationally appropriate.

Extraordinary gifts can be bought online from www.mrdf.org.uk, or by calling 020 7467 5132 to order a catalogue.

Source: Methodist News Service 20/11/2008

Action to Avert October Hunger

This is an appeal for Zimbabwe as the aid ban is lifted and nearly 4 million people will go hungry in October if no action is taken

As the ban on aid agencies operating in Zimbabwe is lifted, the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is supporting an appeal by ACT International that will deliver food and agricultural support to some of the country’s most vulnerable people.

Over 2 million people were in need of urgent food supplies when the Zimbabwean government ordered all aid agencies to suspend their humanitarian and development work on June 4. The ban only worsened an already desperate situation in a country with growing political instability, 85% of the population out of work and inflation levels that were spiralling out of control.

Amanda Norman, MRDF Supporter Relations Director, said: ‘We might think that the financial situation in Britain is grim, but the economic disaster faced by those in Zimbabwe puts things well and truly into perspective. Millions of Zimbabweans have been caught up in this complex humanitarian crisis and it’s hard to know how to even begin to make a difference. This appeal enables us to work with others to alleviate some of the suffering in the short term, and empower people to begin rebuilding their lives.’

It is estimated that nearly 4 million people could go hungry in October, with this number peaking at 5 million between January and March 2009. Now that the ban has been lifted, many will now be able to access much-needed food supplies.

The appeal through Action by Churches Together (ACT) will distribute monthly food rations of maize, cooking oil and beans to over 26,000 people in some of the most vulnerable communities. Farmers will be able to rebuild their livelihoods thanks to the provision of seeds, fertilisers and training in conservation farming that will help them to guard against the impact of drought.

Donations to MRDF’s appeal for Zimbabwe can be made by debit or credit card on 020 7224 4814, or by cheque, payable to “MRDF (Zimbabwe emergency)”, posted to MRDF, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR.

Taxpayers are encouraged to gift aid their donations where possible, adding a value of 28p to every pound they give, at no extra personal cost.

MRDF makes small miracles possible for people living in the world’s poorest communities. For more information, visit www.mrdf.org.uk


Source: Methodist Church News Release 26/09/08

Burma Crisis Appeal

As the death toll from the Burma cyclone continues to rise, the Methodist Church and the Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) have launched an emergency appeal for funds.

Michael King, World Church Team Leader, says; ‘The cyclone has created a humanitarian emergency that is unprecedented in Burma’s history. Hundreds of thousands of people are cut off from clean water and shelter, and prices for basic foodstuffs are escalating. We are asking people to offer whatever support they can, both financially and through their prayers’.

The Church sent an immediate solidarity grant of £10,000 to the Methodist Church in Myanmar and has launched a joint appeal with MRDF. To donate via the World Church Office please visit www.justgiving.com/methodistburmacyclone or send a cheque, made payable to the Methodist Church Fund for World Mission, to:


Burma Appeal
Fund for World Mission
Methodist Church House
25 Marylebone Rd
London NW1 5JR

To donate via MRDF, call the MRDF hotline on 020 7224 4814.

Funds received will be channelled through Church World Service, which is working in the most affected areas.

The Christian Conference of Asia has appealed ‘to member churches and councils, ecumenical partners and friends to remember those affected people in your daily prayers, and extend assistance to help the people affected by this natural calamity.’ The Revd Mar Gay Gyi, the General Secretary for Myanmar Council of Churches will be meeting with the staff in-charge of the Emergency Relief Unit and sharing updated information with the churches.

People are also urged to keep those affected in their prayers. A special prayer has been written for the crisis and can be found online at http://www.methodist.org.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=opentogod.content&cmid=2130.

MRDF RESPONDS TO CRISIS IN ZIMBABWE

18 April, 2008

In the face of growing political instability and desperate food shortages in Zimbabwe, The Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is supporting an appeal through ACT International (Action by Churches Together) that will distribute emergency food supplies to vulnerable households.

Over 4 million people need food immediately. Reports from Zimbabwe paint a picture of desperation, with some families cooking leaves they had previously considered poisonous. Although they have found ways of draining them that make them safer, people are still getting sick. The current crisis has been worsened by Zimbabwe’s growing HIV/AIDS problem and inflation levels that are spiralling out of control – currently the highest in the world.

As well as distributing food, the MRDF appeal, through ACT International, will also provide home-based care kits for those looking after people with HIV/AIDS, supplementary vitamins for those with HIV/AIDS and support and counselling for AIDS orphans, who often face malnutrition because of lack of food, illness and stigma. People who have lost their livelihoods will be given small livestock for food and to help generate incomes.

Kirsty Smith, MRDF Director, said: “The crisis in Zimbabwe has left millions of people without the means to feed themselves. By supporting this appeal, we hope to alleviate some of the suffering and give them a way of generating income in the future.”

Donations to MRDF’s appeal for Zimbabwe can be made by debit or credit card on 020 7224 4814, or by cheque, payable to “MRDF (Zimbabwe emergency)”, posted to MRDF, Methodist Church House, 25 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5JR.

Taxpayers are encouraged to gift aid their donations where possible, adding a value of 28p to every pound they give, at no extra personal cost. "

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I have a special interest in Zimbabwe, because my nephew, Dr Peter Morgan, has spent his life working to help the African people at the Blair Laboratories there and has made it his country, no matter how hard the going gets. He was awarded the MBE for his invention of the Blair toilet that has (I'm told) saved millions of lives.

Methodist Relief and Development Conference in Africa

MRDF conference celebrates going from strength to strength in Africa

The Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is holding its first conference for African partner organisations from 22-26 November 2007. The conference, entitled Strength to Strength, will be held in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. Representatives from 29 local partner organisations based in 11 African countries will be taking part.

There will be a packed schedule of workshops on issues such as HIV/AIDS, advocacy, sustainable agriculture and financial planning, but most importantly there will also be opportunities for delegates to share their own stories, advice and experiences with one another. Those closer to home can find out the latest news from the Strength to Strength daily blog, available at www.mrdf.org.uk .

Francis Njuakom is travelling from Cameroon to attend the conference. He is the director of an MRDF partner organisation that runs social and income-generating clubs for poor and isolated elderly people. He says: “It will be such a lovely and enriching experience to have MRDF's most trusted partners across Africa to come together and share the magic of differences that we are all using in our various organisations to transform lives and communities.”

Margaret Nakato is the co-ordinator of a women’s development project in rural Uganda. She explains why she feels that this conference is so important: “I believe when there is face to face interaction, people relax and get to know each other better. In the process they share a lot of information about themselves and the work they are doing. Some of this will be unique and provide new insights. I am looking forward to hearing those stories that are difficult or are not normally put in writing.”

MRDF Director Kirsty Smith, says: “At MRDF, we are very excited about this opportunity for our partners to get together and share their knowledge and experience. Good financial management or strategic planning may not sound very glamorous, compared to buying goats or sinking wells, but only well run, financially sound organisations can improve the lives of poor communities in the long term. Training events, like this conference, help ensure that money from our supporters is well managed and that programmes are delivered by well equipped and trained staff. By sharing skills and resources, we can all become stronger.”

Source: www.methodist.org.uk/news 19/11/'07