Number of Syrian Refugees Tops 2 Million

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for Syrian refugees]

20130905-eprayer-n1

The number of Syrians forced to seek shelter abroad since civil war began in March 2011 passed the 2 million mark, which is a jump of almost 1.8 million from last year. There is an average of almost 5,000 Syrians fleeing into neighbouring countries every day. It is said that Syrian had become a disgraceful humanitarian calamity with suffering and displacement unparalleled in recent history. Some 52 per cent of this population are children aged 17 years or below and the number of Syrian child refugees had exceeded 1 million. A further 4.25 million people are displaced inside Syria. In view of the pressure the refugee exodus is placing on surrounding countries, including the worsening economic impact, ministers from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey will meet with UNHCR in Geneva in a bid to accelerate international support. [UNHCR]

Pray for Syrian refugees:

  • Pray for cease of civil war in Syrian and people are able to live in peace ;
  • Pray for humanitarian aid to alleviate people suffering and provide the required support to neighbouring countries;
  • Remember the refugees and displaced people that they can go back to their homeland soon and rebuild their homes

 

A Call for Greater International Cooperation on Water and Sanitation

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for water and sanitation in the world]

20130905-eprayer-n2

Water and sanitation, which is fundamental to fighting disease and poverty, are included in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Last year, it was said that the world had reached the target of access to improved sources of water, but water quality to a large degree still fails to meet basic UN World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Roughly 80 per cent of global wastewater from human settlements or industrial sources is discharged untreated, contaminating oceans, lakes and rivers. Sanitation is the most lagging of the MDGs. Meeting the target would involve reducing the proportion of people without access to sanitation from more than half, to 25 per cent by 2015. However, more than 2.5 billion people around the world still have no adequate sanitation and of these one billion practice open defecation. Poor sanitation also has a big impact on the safety and well-being of women and girls; the day-to-day humiliation and risks faced by women and girls without access to appropriate sanitation facilities have been demonstrated time and again. Therefore, renewed international cooperation on water management and access to adequate sanitation is needed. [UN News]

Pray for water and sanitation in the world :

  • Pray for greater international cooperation on working towards sustainable solutions and measures to improve water management and sanitation;
  • Remember the needs and situations of those without clean and safe water and adequate sanitation, especially vulnerable women and girls.

 

Drop-outs and Pre-school Children Benefited from Children Education Project in Bangladesh

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for children education in Bangladesh]

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

The partner World Concern Bangladesh implements the programme including supporting teachers’ salary, training,and education material to help the drop-out pupils re-entering into the education ladder. Give thanks that a new component was added in the programme – 10 pre-schools were started with 180 toddlers studied there. The partner is also glad to know that the passing rate of the students from 19 schools in the 1st terminal exam was 96%.

Pray for children education in Bangladesh:

  • Pray that the income generation plan for parents could be executed as the partner cannot afford another new staff to separately run this programme; 
  • May our Lord sustain the Friday schools of Christian education in this Islamic country.

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 Church Empowerment Programme in Nepal

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for the church empowerment in Nepal]

20130905-eprayer-c2

CEDAR’s partner United Mission to Nepal (UMN) has been working exclusively in Nepal since 1954. In its long history, UMN has always maintained two characteristics, serving Nepal with a united mission of people from many organisations, denominations and parts of the world in the name of Christ, alongside Nepali colleagues; and working with the aim of training Nepali people and building the capacity of Nepali organisations. UMN has integral mission as its core value, envisioning the fullness of life for all Nepali in six aspects – religious/ cultural, political/ economic, social/ communal, interpersonal/ psychological, material and ecological, to live healthy, dignified and hope-filled lives in community. UMN promotes cooperation between church and community in order to respond to the needs of grassroots people. CEDAR is now supporting a new programme of UMN. The programme targets to empower 2,000 churches and their leaders within 5 years who in turn will be catalyst to bring about holistic transformation in their communities or target groups.

Pray for the church empowerment in Nepal:

  • Pray that CEDAR and HK churches can learn more about partner’s approach, the country, as well as local churches context and environment;
  • Two of our co-workers will visit Nepal in late September. Pray for good communication and fellowship with local partners and Christian groups, and their safety as well.

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.

President Election in Zimbabwe under Dispute

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – President Election in Zimbabwe under Dispute]

eprayer20130822-n1

Robert Mugabe, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980, was sworn in as president today on 22 August, extending his 33-year rule of the country after winning the 31 July election. Although Southern African leaders endorsed the re-election of Mugabe, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network said that before Election Day the voter registration process was systematically biased against urban voters, disenfranchising up to a million people out of 6.4 million registered voters (15%). Western nations also questioned the credibility of this election.

Mugabe will continue his ‘indigenisation’ policy, redistributing wealth by forcing foreign-owned firms to sell at least 51% to black Zimbabwe. Trust that US and EU will not loosen the sanctions against Mugabe’s government. [REUTERS(1), REUTERS(2)]

Pray for the development of Zimbabwe:

  • Pray for peace, justice and good governance in Zimbabwe;
  • Pray that the ‘new’ government will concern for the needs of Zimbabwean people.

Despite Stiffer Penalties, Acid Attacks Continue in Pakistan

Posted on by 施達基金會

[ePrayer – Pray for women vulnerable to acid attacks]

eprayer20130822-n2

Five months back, a scorched 26-year-old woman named Ruqqaiya Perween was brought to the Civil Hospital’s Burns Centre. Scarred for life with burns on 22% of her face and upper body, the mother of four said her husband flung acid on her while she was asleep with her children – and some even fell on them. ‘Since my marriage 12 years ago, I’ve never had a day’s peace. Beating me up was a regular pastime of his,’ she said. It was always because her husband needed the money that she earned as domestic helper.

Despite stiffer sentences for offenders, ranging from 14 years to life imprisonment and a fine of one million rupees (US 10,000 dollars), since the Acid Crime Prevention Act was modified in 2011, campaigners say the number of women doused in acid has increased 89% in 2012. In addition, 70% of acid crime victims are women, and in 60% of cases the attacks occur during family disputes. In the last couple of years, especially after a Pakistani film named ‘Saving Face’ won an Oscar award in 2012, there has been increased conversation around this form of violence – which may actually have given some men the idea. [IPS]

Pray for women vulnerable to acid attacks:

  • Pray for God’s healing to Ruqqaiya Perween and other victims of acid attacks;
  • Pray for God’s protection to those women and children who are vulnerable to acid attacks and domestic violence;
  • Pray that God will transform the evil hearts of human to stop any kind of violence.