The coming of the monsoons signals a relief from the deadly scorching heat wave that was seen in the region of South Asia earlier on in May and June. However, the monsoon together with the cyclone “Komen” this year has brought widespread devastation in India, Myanmar, Pakistan and Vietnam leaving more than 300 people dead in the region.
Continue reading Monsoon Rain in South Asia – both a blessing and a curse
“I hope my child will be caring and willing to share,”- probably the wish of many of the new generation of parents today. With Chinese New Year just around the corner, apart from sharing candies, toys or books with friends, children can also take part in CEDAR’s ‘Pass the “Gut” – Goodness．Gracious’ Campaign, learning more about the needs of the poor from afar, and contributing their red packet to share the joy with others.
Continue reading Pass it on: the message of sharing from the “Gut”
“Though I don’t know how to write, I would like to say thanks to CEDAR for helping me to grow up in Full Moon. I wish one day I can help those who have similar experiences as mine,” said Sau (alias) who is only 3 years old. Like any other ordinary girls, Sau is innocent and cheerful. She has been staying in Full Moon for nearly one year and the staff praised her for being bright and smart. Sau’s parents were both political prisoners in Myanmar, sadly they both died in prison, leaving Sau orphaned. Afterwards, she was supposed to be taken care of by her aunt who had intended to sell her, fortunately someone saved her and brought her to Full Moon. Thanks God for saving Sau’s life and keeping her in a safe place where she is given love and care.
Continue reading Pray for the Myanmar Children as They Regain Hope
[ ‘SHARE’ Sept-Oct 2014 ] JOIN HANDS JOIN HEARTS
Myanmar’s Mon State suffered civil war for 60 years resulting in many broken up families. As they fled, parents were separated from their children and hid themselves in deep forests for years in order to stay safe. They feared for the lives of their missing young children.
[ePrayer – Pray for the post-war development in Myanmar]
The prolonged conflicts lasted for 60 years between Karen armed groups and the Myanmar Government finally came to an end and this indeed symbolizes hope and unity for the people and the country. It is encouraging to see different groups of entities, including state officials, village leaders and church members putting effort together to rebuild their community. What is more exciting is to see displaced orphans and youths returning to their hometowns. Yet, the children will continue to experience the damaging effects brought by the conflicts. Due to limited skillsets, the children and their families feel unsecured and live a future with uncertainty.
CEDAR FUND supported our partner Full Moon in launching their reintegration programmed in the Mon State. Apart from improving the infrastructure and facilities to deliver a better and safer environment in the compound, education and trainings are provided to the youth and women’s groups. Full Moon wishes to see that the youths after acquiring the necessary knowledge and skills, particularly in agricultural and vocational aspects, are then empowered to make contributions to their home community. Full Moon also witnesses the change in the women, that they become more confident after receiving trainings in farming, health and environment preservation. Some of the youths are able to complete their tertiary education due to tuition fee sponsorship from Full Moon. In 2013, Full Moon arranged two trips for their kids to return to their communities. Many of them reunited with their families and their stories touch many people’s hearts.
Thanks Lord for His blessings on this project. Full Moon’s achievements created a ripple effect; not only the children affected by the conflicts are benefited, the volunteers and workers are also blessed from their involvement and many joined the Christian fellowship and started to know God. The government officials also recognized the achievements and invited CEDAR FUND and Full Moon to continue the community work in Mon State.
“The children are excited about the school life but what is most precious is due to the community rebuilt programme, the kids now have dreams and visions for the future.” Lydia, the teacher in TWT village, told us
Pray for the post-war development in Myanmar:
Other Methods of Payment
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.
[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 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:
Other Methods of Payment
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.
[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.
