Walk with Myanmar Students Being in Storms

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for Children Ministry in Myanmar]

Hot summer is soon approaching. The children living in the compound of CEDAR’s partner Full Moon were excited one day and expressed their wish to their teacher: ‘We really want to go and play in Chung Thar Beach…’ The teacher is puzzled because it’s a long way journey from Full Moon to Chung Thar Beach and accommodation will be required on the way. Full Moon is operating on tight financial resources and who can afford to pay for all these expenses?

Though the dream of these children cannot be realized, those in grade 8 to 11 will have the opportunity to learn English from the Bible stories during this summer vacation. They will also learn how to grow Roselle, green beans and corns in farms. Part of the harvest will serve as food, and the rest be sold in market. The children will learn how to make a living with their own hands, and also enjoy the fun in farming.

Teachers in Full Moon told us, ‘Each student here has his/her own story that touches people’s hearts…’ The three children in the photo are brothers and sisters of one single family, and are the cyclone victims in 2008. They lost contact with their family and have stayed in Full Moon Compound for six years since then. Only recently that they learnt that their mother is still alive and our partner’s staff is now making all the necessary arrangements so they can see each other at the end of this April. However the mother works in farms and can barely support herself. She is also in the recovery phase of her mental health issues. Thus the 3 children will continue to stay in the compound until fully grown up.

Full Moon experiences God’s providence in spite of their financial constraints all these years. The children in Full Moon Compound also experience God’s healing and comfort in spite of their suffering during childhood. Are you willing to walk with them and experience God’s amazing work together?

‘He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.’ (Deuteronomy 10:18-19) God summoned the Israelites to care for the poor communities with empathy. This is because the Israelites should understand how the poor feel since they were once foreigners in Egypt and thus should know how to walk with the poor. May we learn from them and be willing to walk with those in less advantage than us, give them more of our love and pray harder for them.

CEDAR’s local partner Full Moon, founded in 1997, looks after children and orphans from conflict areas, as well as committed to giving them training so they can become church leaders after grown up and effect changes in their communities. Today many of these children have become teachers, nurses, skilled farmers, technicians and community workers, contributing to the societies using their skills given by their Heavenly Father. 

Pray for Children Ministry in Myanmar:

  • May God provide the hostel with enough uniforms, water-resistance materials and cabinets since there is an increase in the number of students when the new school term starts;
  • Pray for the erection of a door or protection wall in front of the hostel’s library as the library is always badly affected when there are torrential rains;
  • All those volunteers in Full Moon have served for over 15 years and may our Lord continue to strengthen them in the coming days so their commitment will not die off. Also pray for more volunteers in Full Moon so the team will be more resourceful in serving the increasing needs.

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.

Continue to Bring Hope and Transformation to Children in Bangladesh

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for Children Ministry in Bangladesh]

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Tanjila Akter, aged 19, is living in a village of Netrokona district, Bangladesh. With limited access of transportation, the literacy rate is relatively low in this area. Though Tanjila’s parents understood the importance of education, her father wanted to pull her out from school after she completed her secondary school education due to tight financial resources in their family. With the help of CEDAR partner PARI, Tanjila successfully convinced her father to allow her for higher education. Under PARI’s Community Adolescent Development Programme (CADP), Tanjila continued her study, sat for the Higher Secondary Certificate Exam, and obtained the highest score GPA 5 (A+) in the examination. She is the only student scored A+ in the college. Everyone is excited and happy with her results.

Tanjila was just one of the successful stories in the villages of Bangladesh. PARI has spent much efforts in the last few years in promoting civil education and it is very encouraging to see some solid change in the mindset of parents, religious leaders and those living in the remote villages. More adolescents including girls are now able to receive education. Through education, adolescents are more aware of the negative impact of early marriage. PARI witnesses a noticeable drop in early marriage cases and thank God for this improving situation.

CEDAR is also concerned about the kids in the slum areas of Dhaka. As families living in the urban slum areas cannot afford to pay for the educational expenses of their children, many kids become illiterate and end up as child labour or street children, being forced into a poverty cycle forever. To tackle this issue, CEDAR supported another partner World Concern Bangladesh to run 20 schools including primary and pre-school education in slum areas and to provide trainings to teachers. The aim is to let these schools self-sustain in the long-run so more children will be benefited.

In early this year many schools in the slum areas of Dhaka were suspended due to political instability before the country election. The political situation has become more stable after the election and schools have restored to normal. To enable more children in Dhaka to receive education, CEDAR has doubled the funding for the slum project this year. We look forward to seeing a better living condition for the kids and their families in the near future.

Pray for Children Ministry in Bangladesh:

  • Give thanks to the Lord that the girls in the villages are empowered and able to receive education, and the number of early marriage cases is gradually reducing.
  • Pray that the adolescents in Bangladesh will be able to continue their studies in a safe environment.
  • Pray for more wisdom granted to our Bangladesh partners so they know how to provide better support to the impoverished groups.
  • May God bless Bangladesh with peace and political stability so that the local churches and organizations can continue their work to help those in need.

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.

May the Lives of Slum Children in India Change

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for Children’s Ministry in India]

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Josephin Sheeba, living in the slum of Tamil Nadu, India, came from a broken family. When Josephin was six, her parents got divorced and since then she has been taken care by her grandmother. She has received basic need support from CMCT, a CEDAR’s partner, since her fourth year in primary school and also knows God through CMCT. Her life is completely changed then. With the help from CMCT, the scar in her heart is slowly mended and she was able to overcome her hopeless and desperate past. She has now finished her study in a bible seminary school and joins God’s ministry.

CMCT celebrates her 50th anniversary this year. CMCT supports many hopeless children in India’s slums. A total of 1,800 poor children receive basic need support from CMCT. CEDAR sponsors 204 of them through provision of food, daily necessities, medical support, education, vocational trainings, and also in spiritual care.

CEDAR’s staff visited CMCT this January and we are glad that most of the graduated children are able to further their studies in universities. Those who devoted their lives to God are probably the future of the society and will make significant contribution to the communities. According to CMCT, 150 of their 1,800 sponsored children still wait for a regular donor support. May our God provide for the needs of CMCT.

‘Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, out of my life may Jesus shine; Make me a blessing to someone today. (Make Me a Blessing)’. We see how life impacts life in generations. Thanks to CMCT’s service that Josephin experiences a complete life transformation. May God bring changes to many more slum children in India.

Pray for Children’s Ministry in India:

  • Thanks for the partnership between CMCT and CEDAR for bringing hopes to the poor children in India over the past 18 years;
  • Pray that more Christians will be willing to support CMCT by participating in their child sponsorship programme, giving generously in financial and human terms;
  • Pray for more wisdom granted to the CMCT staffs that they know how to better serve the poor children with love and care, and also help them in fully utilizing their skills and strengths that in future these children can make contribution to their society and serve the need;
  • Pray for the general election in India that will be held from 7 April to 12 May. Pray that it will run smoothly and political parties who show care to the poor and deprived groups will be elected. Pray also that under the new government, the work of local churches and organisations will carry on as before.

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.

Present Our Love and Care to HIV/AIDS Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Zimbabwe

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for Children’s ministry in Zimbabwe]

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In Zimbabwe, many children suffer from the loss of parents and feel unrooted in their young age.  AIDS is severely impacting the country and many children have become orphans after one or both of their parents died from this fatal disease. According to the official figures from UNAIDS, 15% of the overall population is HIV infected.  The frontier NGOs even estimated that the actual infected figures probably hit 30%.  Among the HIV/AIDS orphans, some live with their grandparents or relatives, some are looked after by their teenage brothers or sisters, and some even are left abandoned so their childhood is absent of love and care.

Many Zimbabwe children feel unrooted because they do not have any identity documents. CEDAR visited a school in Zimebabwe last November and 2/3 of the 350 students there do not have birth certificates.  Indeed, this phenomenon is prevalent in the country. Many parents will not let their babies out of their homes because of traditional beliefs.  They believe there is ‘Evil Eye’ on the streets and their babies will be in danger once they are exposed to the outside.  Thus many children have become unregistered and cannot be promoted to high school education. The HIV/AIDS orphans even feel more helpless because they cannot inherit their parents’ processions without identity documents. 

CEDAR’s Partner ‘Trinity’ is committed to the education on the parents about the importance of birth certificates so as to change their rooted traditional beliefs.  Yet, with a limited number of government offices in the country, some parents have to take a one-day trip for registration if they live in remote areas.  A lot of them are unable to register because they do not have money to travel.  Trinity is planning to fund their trips in the near future so more children will be able to enjoy higher education and the other benefits that they are entitled to. 

Another CEDAR partner ‘Family AIDS Caring Trust’ (FACT) recently launched a programme called Buddy System.  The main idea is to pair up a HIV+ orphan with a buddy who is not HIV infected.  FACT encourages mutual support between the buddies, such as the healthy buddy can remind his/her counterpart to take medication on time. FACT hope that with this programme, the HIV infected orphans will feel cared and supported even though they do not have their own families.     

An executive of FACT said, ‘I wish that the orphans will feel that they are normal and are no different that the others, that they are loved.’  CEDAR supports the both partners through the ‘Join Hands Join Hearts’ Children Ministry Scheme. ‘And most of all be warm in your love for one another; because in love there is forgiveness for sins without number.’ (1 Peter 4:8). We hope all the kids in Zimbabwe will access to the basic needs and experience God’s love in their lives, that the AIDS orphans will be relieved from the pain of loss and unroot.

Pray for Children’s ministry in Zimbabwe:

  • May Our Lord provide all the needs for the children in Zimbabwe so that they can maintain their well being.  May our Lord not only provide HIV/AIDS orphans with medication, but also let them feel cared and supported in the community.
  • Pray for the Buddy System Programme led by FACT.  May our Lord grant wisdom to the organizing team so more HIV/AIDS children get paired-up and receive support.
  • Pray for the project of identity registry led by Trinity. May our Lord grant resources to Trinity and protect the children and their parents on their journeys to obtain proper registrations. 

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.

Who Will Give the Impoverished Families in Ethiopia a “Second Life”?

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the Impoverished Families in Ethiopia]

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Shashe is a mother living in Ethiopia. She once had her own family, a husband and a few children. Although life was difficult and impoverished, at least she had her loved ones under her knees. Unfortunately she then had leprosy, and because of her huge medical expenses, her husband deserted her and took the children away. After that, Shashe lived in destitute situation with her youngest daughter Senkensh. As a single mother, she becomes more vulnerable to any kind of discriminations and bullies, making her life very difficult. She was once almost killed by a swindler when trying to find a job; and, on one occasion, was nearly kidnapped on the street. Basic needs such as security and dignity are too remote for her and her daughter.

One day, her life was changed after a visit from Addis Ababa Geunet Church (AAGC)＊. The church members of AAGC took her to the hospital to receive the treatment of Leprosy, and also started to support her daughter’s living through their child sponsorship programme. With the sponsorship, her daughter can study in school as what she had been longing for.

Though Shashe only has 50 cents for living a day, she deeply believes ‘The Lord is looking after us.’ Now, Shashe and Senkensh live with hope instead of hopeless, and in light instead of darkness, as if having their ‘Second Life’.

The song writer of ‘Amazing Grace’ once made his living by trafficking the black slaves. After surrending his life to Jesus, he endeavored to fight against the black slave system. At that moment, he wrote a song to praise the love and grace of God. Our Lord heard the cry from the oppressed and hopeless. Do you hear their voice? Where does the voice come from? How may you respond to the oppressed and hopeless?

＊ Addis Ababa Geunet Church (AAGC) is a CEDAR’s partner in Ethiopia. Since 1995, CEDAR has supported AAGC’s children ministry, which provides basic needs to about 200 impoverished children such as food, daily necessities, medical and education subsidies, vocational training and also in spiritual support. Orphans and children from single families will have priority in enrolling in the sponsorship programme. Next will be those from the impoverished families. Most of the sponsored children can get a job in the city after graduation; some may continue their studies in university.

Pray for the Impoverished Families in Ethiopia:

  • Pray that God will continue to empower AAGC to walk with more impoverished families and vulnerable children, bringing transformation to those families and their society by the amazing grace of God;
  • May God bless the sponsored children to be the channel of His grace, through them that His grace and love are shared with other vulnerable children, impoverished families and their communities.

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.

Pray for the Preparation Work Against FGM in Ethiopia

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the battle against FGM in Ethiopia]

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In Ethiopia today, many women and girls are still suffering from the threat of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)[1]. This traditional harmful practice not only makes sufferers lose their dignity but also brings irreversible physical damage and severe emotional pain in their entire lives. 

According to the official research findings of Ethiopia in 2011, around 23% of the women population under or aged 14 have experienced FGM.  The percentage of FGM victims in the high-risk areas even hit 47%.  Despite the fact that the Federal Government of Ethiopia has put up laws against FGM based on gender equality, it’s sad that many families are still unwilling to abandon this harmful tradition, as the parents still hope that their girls will be blessed for good marriage and living through this act linking to moral benefits such as purity and virginity.

From the financial support received from an overseas organisation, Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church (EKHC) has implemented FGM project in 10 areas since 2000.  Through community education and advocacy work, people are educated about the problems brought by FGM and their wrong concept of purity is corrected.  Besides, EKHC helped circumcisers to develop new skill sets so that they could change jobs for a new life.  All these work resulted in a significant reduction of FGM incidence in the community during that period.  However in 2012, EKHC found it difficult to continue their work due to financial constraints.

CEDAR is going to support our partner EKHC to conduct a survey interviewing 1,000 people in 5 targeted villages.  The interviewees include the unmarried, married, religious leaders, local officials and circumcisers. By obtaining the latest findings and figures, our partner can arrange better work and services against FGM in the near future, hoping that the practice will be completely eliminated soon and the females there will no longer need to suffer physically and emotionally. 

Pray for the battle against FGM in Ethiopia:

  • EKHC is currently working hard on the survey questionnaire.  Our partner is conferring with local officials about the selection of interview districts and the recruit of 15 suitable interviewers for this survey.  Pray that God will lead this project so that they can collect useful data for the upcoming plans.
  • Pray that God will protect those women and girls who are still threatened by FGM and have mercy on those who still suffer from the sequela of FGM.  We stand by them hoping that this harmful practice will be eliminated soon.

[1] Female genital mutilation includes partial or total removal of a girl’s clitoris and labia; wound healing resulting in closure of the virginal opening prevents the girl from having any premarital sex and thereby preserving her chastity.

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.