Hope Mercury Treaty Secure Gold Miners’ Health

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the artisanal gold miners]

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With gold at near-record prices, more people have been drawn into artisanal gold mining. Most miners need to use mercury during gold-mining as it requires very little technical skills and it’s widely available. Mercury emissions contaminate water and cause harms to miner’s health. The UN mercury treaty will regulate the supply, trade and use of the substance. Governments will be encouraged – but not obliged – to take measures to manage the health impacts of mercury exposure. New measures may not go far enough to help artisanal gold miners. [Guardian] [UNEP Video]

Pray for the artisanal gold miners:

  • Praise that The mercury treaty, which was negotiated over four years by delegates from more than 140 countries, will be signed at a diplomatic conference in October;
  • Pray that governments come up with strategies to phase the treaty out gradually. For example, encourage the adoption of new technologies, or support recycling mercury where miners still use it.

Organic Farming Movement Can Promote Food Security

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for Organic Farming Movement]

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The modern organic farming movement emerged in the 1950s and 1960s largely as a reaction to consumer concerns about the rising use of agrochemicals. Producing food sustainably will be extremely important as the global population continues to grow and as climate change affects land quality worldwide. Organic farming has the potential to contribute to food security, boost farmer incomes, enhance biodiversity and reduce ecosystems’ vulnerability to climate change. But it is important too that organic farming form part of a larger, more sustainable global food system – where low-income consumers can access and afford fresh, nutritious foods. [IPS]

Pray for Organic Farming Movement:

  • Pray that more low income consumers can be benefit from reducing the production cost of organic food.
  • Pray that more farmers realize the importance and advantages of organic farming. They can be well-supported and if the production method converts to organic farming from traditional farming.

Keep Praying for the Illegal Migrant Workers in N. Thailand

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the migrant workers in Northern Thailand]

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The National Verification Programme of Thai government, requesting local illegal migrant workers to verifying their identities has been finished. From Next February to May, the Burmese government will then start issuing temporary passports to those illegal workers in Thailand. The decision is part of the plan by Thailand and Myanmar to end illegal migrant workers from Myanmar. According to the Thai Labour Minister, there are 266,677 workers from Myanmar and Laos, did not verify their nationality to Thai government within the December deadline.

Pray for the migrant workers in Northern Thailand:

  • Pray for CEDAR’s local partner MMF as they provide legal support to Burmese migrant workers on issues related to work permits & registration, processing labour disputes and reconciliation;
  • Pray for Wisdom and protection on MMF migrant team as they made regular visit to give care, advice and counseling to workers in their homes and at their work sties. Many face family & social issues within the migrant communities;       
  • Pray that 25 young migrant children at the Learning Centre will receive basic care and develop spiritually and emotionally.

Community Development Programme in Afghanistan Gets Progress

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for programme in Afghanistan]

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In 2012 about 22,000 persons have benefit from the programme. The programme has established self-help groups to give weekly basic health education, literacy classes and to advocate on issues related to gender, conflict resolution, female education, nutrition, disaster mitigation and management. In the beginning there was resistance among men to participate. It was difficult for the community to understand the idea of ownership and development. Now both men and women are realising the value of learning new subjects, which helps to address some of their most basic needs and issues.

Pray for programme in Afghanistan:

  • Partner’s agency is in a looking for a long-term Director from April this year. Pray that God to send this person to fullfill this very important role;
  • Pray for safety of all staff, local and expatriate, and for the communities with whom they work. Thank God for new expatriate team members, and for those considering joining soon;
  • Pray for each one as they live and work in an often stressful environment. Local staff to continue their vision with hearts of service for their own people.

Most Domestic Workers Worldwide Lack Legal Protection

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for domestic workers worldwide]

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Working behind closed doors of private households, domestic workers are shielded from public view and attention and most are unprotected by national legislation. International Labour Organisation (ILO) says at least 52 million people around the world – mainly women -are employed as domestic workers. Between the mid-1990s and 2010, there was an increase of more than 19 million domestic workers worldwide. Many migrate to other countries to find work. However, many domestic workers experience poor working conditions and insufficient legal protection. Only 10% of all domestic workers are covered by general labour legislation to the same extent as other workers. About 29.9% are completely excluded from national labour legislation. The precarious legal status of migrant domestic workers and their lack of knowledge of the local language and laws, make them especially vulnerable to abusive practices, such as physical and sexual violence, psychological abuse, non-payment of wages, debt bondage and abusive living and working conditions. [ILO]

Pray for domestic workers:

  • Pray that the rights and protection of domestic workers can be upheld;
  • Pray that God will rescue them from unjust bondage and exploitation.

Pray for Conflict Affected Lisu in Myanmar

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the displaced Lisu]

Last June, the conflict between the Burmese government and the Kachin rebel group in Myanmar has forced some 75,000 people displaced. CEDAR has been supporting one local Lisu church partner to provide emergency relief (food items and clothes) to displaced refugees. Unfortunately, the conflict has intensified recently.

For many years the Lisu people are caught in between the fighting and conflict of the KIA armed group and Burmese military forces. The Lisu people have no arms and do not fight but often out of their will reluctantly became a source of supply to the two armed groups. Their crops & livestock get taken away, their children get kidnapped and conscript to work as porters and child soldiers.

Our local church partner is now taking care of displaced Lisu people who are seeking safety at their churches and student hostels. As these newly arrived Lisu children and youth do not speak Burmese, our partner is hoping to provide tutoring lessons to assist them to pursue an education while giving the the children protection at the hostel. The annual cost to recruit four teachers is US$7,200.

Pray for the displaced Lisu:

  • Pray that our partner is able to hire teachers to give lessons to the war affected Lisu children;
  • Pray for more humanitarian access into the conflict area to meet the dire needs of the large displaced population;
  • Pray for a long-lasting peace in the affected areas.

Donate now to provide learning opportunty & education to displaced Lisu children.