For the past 13 years, CEDAR Fund has organized Barefoot Walk to fundraise for our projects and to let participants experience what it means to live in poverty. In 2014, seeing the seriousness of urban poverty around the world, we want to take our participants into slums and take a glimpse at the lives of the 900 million slum dwellers around the world. Linking to this event is to fundraise for community development projects in slums of India, Bangladesh and Ethiopia, and we seek to encourage everyone through the experiential activities to think about how poverty has robbed people of their dignity and the opportunities they should have.
While many parents in Hong Kong worry about how their children are getting on in the first month of school, many parents in Bangladesh worry about the well-being and safety of their children at work. In 2012, 17% of the children aged between 5-14 years in Bangladesh had to work as child labourers. According to US Department of Labor, children in Bangladesh are engaged in the worst forms of child labour, primarily in dangerous activities in agriculture and in domestic service. Children working in agriculture may use dangerous tools, carry heavy loads, and apply harmful pesticides. Girls mostly work as domestic servants in private households. They work long hours and are subject to discrimination and harassment, on top of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. [US Embassy, UNICEF]
The political atmosphere in Bangladesh was relatively calm in the Muslim month of Fasting (10 July to 7 August). However, it will be tensed again while the election is coming soon. CEDAR’s partner SATHI has mobilised dwellers to participate in community development. Project focus is literacy. Give thanks that people organisations have enrolled 115 street kids at primary schools and have assisted 126 adult learners finishing the Adult Literacy Class. The project is led by a Christian Field Manager. The staff team maintains morning devotion a few times per week. They work hard to infuse the Christian value (e.g. love and justice) into the community. Many Muslims are also attracted by these values.
Pray for the Slum work in Bangladesh:
Remember the Bangladesh situation. Pray that His peace will come to this nation. Pray that no more shut- down and people can live normally.
Pray for the community work of SATHI. Give thanks that the staff team live out their faith. Pray that more local churches will join and serve for the continuous transformation of the individuals and the community.
[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.
[ePrayer – Pray for the community development projects in India]
Partner EFICOR, in partnership with SCOPE, launched community development projects aiming at sustainable livelihood and capacity building in villages in Orissa, India. It is glad to note reduction in seasonal migration (poor peasants getting to work far from home after the harvest season) and there is increase in crop yield and household income. Local leaders in a village have got involved in resuming water supply. Treatments with medicine and operation by an eye hospital nearby are extended to the villagers. SCOPE staff is graceful in receiving various trainings in skills and knowledge fit for the projects.
Pray for the community development projects in India:
Pray for further reduction in seasonal migration;
Village children used to quit their studies in response to parents’ command to collect plants for making wines and cigarettes. Pray for these families!
[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.
[ ‘SHARE’ May-Jun 2013 – Seeing It with Our Eyes ] CEDAR’S BLOGGER
Author> TANG Po Shan, Education and Promotion Officer
I often ponder this question: As a staff in a relief and development organisation that mobilises and encourages community concern amongst Christians, how deeply do I actually care about my society, or am I merely doing a job?
Indeed, it is wonderful to have work that combines one’s interests and ambition. It is a good thing if a person cares about his society and is able to work in a civil group or NGO, that promotes social changes through different channels such as education, services, community development, policy initiatives and social actions. Of course, caring for the society is not a privilege of a select few because it is our civic responsibility. In that face of various issues of modern society, we need skilled and able people, such as social workers, to act as frontline promoters and executors. My question is, when our work becomes routine, or when caring about society becomes a livelihood skill, would we be confusing means and ends?
I frequently ask myself, am I someone who cares about society? Outside of work, how much do I care about the society’s current affairs and how much am I concerned with the weak and disadvantaged groups? Do I keep silent in face of unrighteousness? Am I interested in spending time to listen to the poor? Am I willing to contact marginalised groups? I ask these questions not to set criteria, nor to imply anyone who fails to meet them would show that s/he is unconcerned, for I am against legalism. I believe that this is a kind of self-confrontation, to face my own life honestly, admit my self-righteousness and weakness and ask God to watch over me and have mercy on me when I fail.
Truly, concern for society is an attitude and one focus in our lives, and it should flow naturally from life. Caring about society is not about what we do but how we become someone who cares about other people and practises righteousness. I believe that, as Christians, caring for society is a spiritual discipline leading us to see people and the world as the Lord sees them, and in all areas of our life ‘to act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with God’.
When we have been at our daily task long enough and are so familiar with certain methods and teaching, things can become habitual, and even more alarmingly we ourselves do not believe what we say or do. This reminds me to reflect often on my work, challenge myself to leave my comfort zone and be courageous in walking the path of faith.
Partner EFICOR has just started an initiative project in slum in Delhi. There are at least 900 households in which 80% of its populations are Muslims and 20% are Hindus. It aims to adopt a combination of direct service, technical support, advocacy & networking to facilitate community development within three-year project cycle. It will specially focus on right-based gender issues and children-at-risk, and will partner with Child Evangelism Fellowship to provide value education.
Pray for new project:
Pray for His guidance to this initiative project. Hindus and Muslims have many conflicts, in general. Pray that EFICOR can be peace-makers to bring shalom to the community;
The sexual violence in Delhi is still intense. May Lord use this project to empower women & men to safeguard their family members.
[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.
