All News Blog Archive
Please note: If you wish to unsubscribe from the emails, click the link at the bottom of the Latest News email you receive. If your email address should change, unsubscribe and then re-subscribe to the Latest News list by simply filling in the form above with your new email address.
Click here to subscribe to the LCA News Service RSS FeedStunning generosity: ALWS Africa appeal tops $300,000
- 18-08-2011
- Categorized in: Africa, Australian Lutheran World Service, Disasters & Disaster Response, Giving & Stewardship, Horn of Africa 2011, Overseas Aid & Development, Social Justice/Action
As they pull out all stops to respond to the worst famine in 60 years, Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) staff have reported some astonishing good news. Over $300,000 has been donated by Australian and New Zealand Lutherans since the emergency appeal was launched only three weeks ago.
This astonishing generosity means that ALWS can expand its support to Lutheran and multi-church action in the Horn of Africa countries of Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya. In Somalia, 3.7 million people are at risk. Many are walking up to 1000 kilometres to reach Ethiopia or the Lutheran-run refugee camps in Kenya.
On Tuesday, 16 August, the ABC's 'Foreign Correspondent' program ‘A Place in the Sand’ (www.abc.net.au/foreign) reported from Dadaab Refugee Camp and featured Regina Muchai, a member of the Lutheran team managing the camp of more than 400,000 people. 'It highlighted the challenges our colleagues face and why our continued Lutheran support is so precious', ALWS communications manager Jonathan Krause said.
The Foreign Correspondent program is part of a broad ABC campaign to help aid agencies respond to the crisis. 'This support is precious and powerful, and is worth a letter to your local ABC to say thankyou', Jonathan said.
'People from all walks of life are digging deep and coming up with all sorts of creative ways to give', he said. A pensioner lady called ALWS and donated $100, because her doctor had decided not to charge her for an xray. She decided hungry children could use the money. Sisters Bek and Naomi aim to raise $2,736 each (enough to truck in a week’s extra water to 120,000 people). Bek has offered to shave her head as an incentive for family and friends to help her reach their target, and Naomi us giving up alcohol for six months.
In more good news, Uniting Church members are channelling donations through ALWS to help famine victims, with $19,000 received so far.
ALWS' new two-minute video, available for use in congregations this weekend, is a 'thankyou' on behalf of the 12 million people in desperate need in the Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps. 'The video will make you smile and cry at the same time', Jonathan said.
'The generosity from Lutherans across Australia and New Zealand is amazing. Schools, churches, individuals ... it’s compelling evidence we can be a church where love comes to life.'
