Yemen in Push to Ban Child Brides

[ePrayer – Pray for the child brides in Yemen]

First Phase Digital

Yemen’s rights minister will press for the minimum age of marriage to be raised to 18, after the reported death of a young girl on her wedding night. Rawan, aged eight, was said to have died earlier this month from internal bleeding after sexual intercourse, following her marriage to a man in his 40s. Activists have claimed the bill was shelved when ultra-conservative legislators from the Islamist Al-Islah party blocked it.

The local activist has been involved in a campaign against child brides in Yemen, a nation ravaged by years of strife and widespread poverty. Many impoverished families arranged their girls married in early age to relieve the financial burden and made the bride gift as a source of income. There is no clear definition in the country of what constitutes a child, making it difficult to battle the practice. It said that 14 per cent of girls in Yemen were married before the age of 15, and 52 per cent before 18, citing Yemeni and 2006 data from the UN. In some rural areas, girls as young as eight are sometimes given in marriage to much older men. [AFP]

Pray for the Child Brides in Yemen:

  • Pray that the government can address the problem by rising the legal minimum marriage age to 18 and implementing the law effectively. Pray for an end to the culture practice of Child Brides.
  • May God protect the girls in Yemen. Pray that their educational rights and holistic development will be secured, and they can live out the dignity and values granted by God.

Call to Prevent Illegal Killing of Elephants in Africa

[ePrayer – Pray for illegal killing of animals]

First Phase Digital

Increased poaching and loss of habitats are threatening the survival of African elephant populations. The UN estimates that over 17,000 elephants were illegally killed in monitored sites in 2011 alone. Last year, in Bouba N’Djida National Park, northern Cameroon, up to 450 elephants were killed by rebel groups from Chad and Sudan. According to UNEP, the extent of the killings now far exceeds the natural population growth rates, putting elephants at risk of extinction, especially in Central and Western Africa. The illegal wildlife trade is threatening not only the survival of species such as elephants and rhinos but also the livelihoods and often the very lives of people across Africa and the developing world. UNEP calls ‘let’s stop the criminals and score some big wins for elephants, rhinos and threatened species everywhere’. Côte d’Ivoire national football team star and captain of Manchester City FC, Yaya Toure and footballers at a World Cup qualifier match made a strong statement against the illegal killings of elephants in Africa. Besides, some celebrities filmed an ad, mainly for China and Vietnam, to call for protection to the endangered species of animals and ban to ivory and rhino horns. [UNEPWildAid]

Pray for illegal killing of animals:

  • Pray that the international societies will be united to prevent from illegal killing of animals and protect the species diversity. 
  • Pray that especially the Asian consumers will have more awareness of wildlife protection, stop purchasing shark fins, rhino horns and ivories and put an end to illegal trade of wild animals.

Go Further to Serve the Orphans and Widows in Zimbabwe

[ePrayer – Pray for partner Trinity]

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CEDAR’s partner Trinity in Zimbabwe used to operate as a Trust to strive for the rights of the widows and orphans in the HIV/AIDS affected families. Give thanks that they are recognised as a PVO (Private Voluntary Organization) in Sep 2013. In 2012 – 2013, Trinity assisted 137 children to attain their legal status. Some health centers release birth confirmation records at no charge as a result of the lobbying of Trinity. They are now exploring the needs of rural areas in other areas, and also expanding the project from being only legal consultation to income generation & skills training.

Pray for partner Trinity:

  • Pray for His guidance in the direction of Trinity. Pray that Trinity will be sensitive to the needs of the families and assist them to advocate for their rights. Pray that more government departments will be willing to provide free and convenient services 
  • Pray for His provision. As most deprived families lack money to pursue their cases, Trinity needs more financial resources. Their most immediate need is a project vehicle and also funds to pay the salaries of their staffs.

Donate Now! Click here.

Other Methods of Payment

  1. Cheque payable to ‘CEDAR FUND’
  2. Deposit to HSBC A/C No. 600-385678-001, enclosing with the Pay-in slip
  3. Autopay (only applicable to regular fixed donations), enclosing with a completed Autopay Authorisation Form (Download: WORD or PDF)
  4. Visa/ Master Card

Download Donation Form

Please send a completed Donation Form, enclosing with cheque or pay-in slip, to CEDAR FUND, G.P.O. BOX 3212, HONG KONG.

Donation Form: WORD or PDF

[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.

 

Burmese Project Villages Pioneer in Solar Energy

[ePrayer – Pray for Solar energy in Myanmar]

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Six months ago 4 mothers from a CEDAR sponsored ‘Protection & Reintegration of Children Programme’ in Mon State was the first batch in the country to be selected to join a renowned 6-month training on solar engineering in India. Despite much difficulty and adjustments, they have successfully completed the training and returned this week. A Press Conference was held with speeches from ministerial offices, Consulate of India Embassy and sharing by the women. Thank God that He has protected their families during the time they were away & that they had overcome all challenges, obstacles in living in a new environment, new place, new food and languages! May God greatly use them and bless their villages. Solar panels and equipment will arrive Myanmar next month and will be set up in the main TWT village.

Pray for Solar energy in Myanmar:

  • Praise God that children will have light to study in the night; TWT is becoming a model village in the country and the whole village will be lightened up! 
  • Pray that more and more villages can have access to lighting and electricity.

Donate Now! Click here.

Other Methods of Payment

  1. Cheque payable to ‘CEDAR FUND’
  2. Deposit to HSBC A/C No. 600-385678-001, enclosing with the Pay-in slip
  3. Autopay (only applicable to regular fixed donations), enclosing with a completed Autopay Authorisation Form (Download: WORD or PDF)
  4. Visa/ Master Card

Download Donation Form

Please send a completed Donation Form, enclosing with cheque or pay-in slip, to CEDAR FUND, G.P.O. BOX 3212, HONG KONG.

Donation Form: WORD or PDF

[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.

Myanmar – A Beam after the War Flame | Lisa CHAI

[ ‘SHARE’ Sept-Oct 2013 – Myanmar – A Beam after the War Flame ] FOCUS ~ Country Development

web-main
The Lisu pastor serving the displaced in the camp

Author: Lisa CHAI, Senior Programme Officer

Habakkuk 1: 2- 3

How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, ‘Violence!’ but you do not save?

Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. (NIV)

For decades the Myanmar government armed forces and opposing non-state armed groups have engaged in armed conflict. The frequent occurrence and brutality of reported human rights violations by these armed forces caused us to cry out like Prophet Habakkuk. Why do the innocent suffer and perish? We ask God to intervene yet violence and abuses prevail. Over the years CEDAR has supported partners operating in conflict affected areas in Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, just to name a few. I am reminded by the book of Habakkuk that in face of conflict situation, we may be perplexed yet God is continuing His work. In the midst of violence and destruction, development is possible.

Continue reading Myanmar – A Beam after the War Flame | Lisa CHAI

Support Post-war Development in Myanmar

[ ‘SHARE’ Sept-Oct 2013 – Myanmar – A Beam after the War Flame ] STEP INTO THE WORLD

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CEDAR partners with Christian communities of the Kachin, Shan, Wa, Karen and Mon people groups in the following projects:

  • Providing basic living support for orphans of conflicts and natural disasters
  • Providing agricultural training in impoverished villages
  • Providing land registration and farming assistance for returning families
  • Assisting post-war communities to open schools, protect the environment and manage water resources
  • Helping women and children vulnerable to violence and trafficking at borders

Please support the Myanmar Relief and Rehabilitation Fund so post-war communities can rebuild lives.

Donate Now! Click here.

Other Methods of Payment

  1. Cheque payable to ‘CEDAR FUND’
  2. Deposit to HSBC A/C No. 600-385678-001, enclosing with the Pay-in slip
  3. Autopay (only applicable to regular fixed donations), enclosing with a completed Autopay Authorisation Form (Download: WORD or PDF)
  4. Visa/ Master Card

Download Donation Form

Please send a completed Donation Form, enclosing with cheque or pay-in slip, to CEDAR FUND, G.P.O. BOX 3212, HONG KONG.

Donation Form: WORD or PDF

[1] CEDAR is an approved charitable institutions and trusts of a public character under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance. Please click Inland Revenue Department website to check for details.
[2] Donations over $100 are tax deductible in Hong Kong with our receipts.
[3] Please DO NOT fax any donation information.