Welcome to Update
The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
Email Update – June 2015
Mission Statement
As an instrument of faith, PWRDF connects Anglicans in Canada to communities
around the world in dynamic partnerships to advance development, respond to
emergencies, assist refugees and act for positive change.
This list is an outgoing communication service from PWRDF only.
Thank You
PWRDF and Nepalese Canadian Group Collaborate in Relief Efforts
Rebuilding Moktan-Tole Village
About World Refugee Day, June 20 2015
UNHCR report shows world’s poorest countries host most refugees
Who is a Refugee?
PWRDF Announces $10,000 in Relief Funds as Instability continues in Burundi
CFGB: Strengthening Support for Small-Scale Farmers
PWRDF Events:
Sharing Bread (Two) – A Food Security Learning Exchange
In the Parishes:
A Sunday for Nepal and PWRDF
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Thank You
LWF Truck reaches rural village. Photo Naba Gurung and partners
Staff at The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund would like to extend a big thank you
to all those who have so generously contributed to the relief efforts in Nepal through prayer,
action and your donations.
Together Anglicans and others raised $585,044 before the May 25 deadline-funds that are being
matched dollar for dollar by the Canadian government into their Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund.
Agencies including PWRDF can apply through the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and
Development Canada (DFATD) to access these funds for relief projects in Nepal.
But the work continues - the needs are great. PWRDF and members of the ACT Alliance will
continue to work beside the people in Nepal in the days ahead. Rehabilitation and
reconstruction are part of the long-term strategy to bring a sense of normalcy back into the lives
of those who have suffered the loss of family and friends, their homes and livelihoods.
Your generosity has helped make this possible.
Thank you
PWRDF and Nepalese Canadian Group Collaborate in Relief Efforts
By Simon Chambers
When Man Poudel and other leaders of Nepalese Canadian Community Services heard about
the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated their homeland on April 25, they immediately
began to respond. They were the first Nepalese community group to set up a PayPal account to
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receive….read more: http://pwrdf.org/2015/pwrdf-and-nepalese-canadian-group-collaboratein-relief-efforts/
Rebuilding Moktan-Tole Village
By Simon Chambers
PWRDF staff with ACT partners in Nepal. Photo Naba Gurung and partners.
Naba Gurung, PWRDF’s Humanitarian Response Coordinator, arrived in Nepal on May 14, just
after the second major earthquake struck. Now back in Canada, he describes the situation and
some of the relief projects PWRDF is supporting through the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of
more….read more: http://pwrdf.org/2015/rebuilding-moktan-tole-village/
About World Refugee Day, June 20 2015
On World Refugee Day, June 20, UNHCR commemorates the strength and resilience of the more
than 50 million people around the world forced to flee their homes due to war or human rights
abuses.
Ordinary people living through extraordinary times: In 2015 our World Refugee Day Campaign
aims to bring the public closer to the human side of the refugee story by sharing stories of hope
and resilience from displaced people. These stories will highlight the common links between we
all share with refugees, returnees, IDPs and resettled refugees.
Our Campaign microsite www.refugeeday.org/ features stories from refugees who describe in
their own words their own passions and interests; cooking, music, poetry, or sports. Through
their testimonials we aim to show that these are ordinary people living through extraordinary
times. We are asking our audiences to share the stories with their friends and family.
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UNHCR report shows world’s poorest countries host most refugees
UN
HR/
Syrians, for the first time, have become the largest refugee population under UNHCR's mandate.
Wars in the Middle East, Africa and elsewhere caused 5.5 million people to become refugees or
internally displaced in the first half of 2014, says a UNHCR report released today. Global
displacement now stands at an unprecedented level of 50 million people – and the world’s
poorest counties….read more: http://www.unhcr-centraleurope.org/en/news/2015/unhcrreport-shows-worlds-poorest-countries-host-most-refugees.html
Who is a Refugee?
Refugees are people who are forced to leave their home countries because of serious human
rights abuses. The right to asylum from persecution is an international human right. It is
guaranteed by the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (the “Refugee
Convention”). According to this Convention, a refugee is a person: who is outside his or her
home country and who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted….read more:
http://ccrweb.ca/en/information-refugees
PWRDF Announces $10,000 in Relief Funds as Instability continues in Burundi
Political unrest in the east African country of Burundi after mass protests and a failed coup
attempt has driven thousands of Burundians to flee….read more:
http://pwrdf.org/2015/pwrdf-announces-10000-in-relief-funds-as-instability-continues-inburundi/
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Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a partnership of 15 Canadian churches and church-based agencies working
together to end global hunger. PWRDF is a member.
Strengthening Support for Small-Scale Farmers
Good Soil is an ongoing campaign of Canadian Foodgrains Bank to advocate that the Canadian
government increase its support for small-scale agriculture in Canada’s international aid
programs.
Why this campaign?
Over 70 percent of people who do not get enough to eat are farmers.
Investing in agriculture in developing countries, especially small-scale agriculture, delivers many
benefits. It is effective in reducing poverty and thereby, overcoming hunger. It is also a driver of
economic growth, setting rural people on the path to a more prosperous future.
Canada has a history of being a strong supporter of agricultural development. However,
Canada’s aid budget ….read more: http://foodgrainsbank.ca/campaigns/good-soil/
Events:
Sharing Bread (Two) – A Food Security Learning Exchange
Plans are moving ahead here at PWRDF for a second exciting week of learning about food
security at the Sorrento Centre in B.C. from July 5 to 11, 2015.
Two partners from Tanzania, Geoffrey Monjesa, Development Officer for the Diocese of Masasi,
and Joyce Mtauka, a farmer and community leader, will be joining PWRDF volunteers and
interested Anglicans as we look at how everything – good nutrition, good health, good learning,
good work, and good community – begins with good food. We will also be joined at the Centre
by three Canadian food producers who will share their experiences of how they have responded
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to food security issues in their communities, rooted in their faith. National Indigenous Anglican
Bishop Mark MacDonald will help us explore food security issues in Canada’s Indigenous
communities, and a representative from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank will look at some of the
“big picture” issues that impact food security in Canada and overseas, as well as highlight ways
we can respond to those issues.
Of course there will also be worship, opportunities to “dig deeper” on the Sorrento Farm, a
whole lot of “sharing bread,” and much more!
As we did last year, PWRDF staff plan to produce a second edition of the Sharing Bread Learning
Resource for use by parishes, youth groups and others across the country, based on this Sharing
Bread (Two) Food Security Learning Exchange. Look for it in the fall!
In the Parishes:
A Sunday for Nepal and PWRDF
By Reverend Brian Vickers
St. Anne’s, Steveston has for a long time supported the work and ministry of The Primate’s
World Relief and Development Fund. On Sunday, June 7th that support was directed particularly
to helping the people of Nepal after the devastating earthquakes there.
After the 10am service, the PWRDF contact person for St. Anne’s, the Rev. Gladys Olsen,
organized a “Hunger Lunch” in the church hall. Those who attended enjoyed a bowl of potato
cheddar soup, with crackers and a cup of water. Donations of about $575 were received!
Following the lunch, a number of youth from the parish entertained us with their talents: Serena
and Sarah sang, Trevor showed us tricks on his yo-yo, and Natalie and Olivia each played musical
pieces on their violin. How gifted are these young people!
In the afternoon, in the church, the Music Director for St. Anne’s, Jonathan Der, offered a violin
recital, showcasing the talents of his violin students. We are grateful to Jonathan and his
students and their parents and those who generously donated $600 towards the work that
PWRDF is doing to help the people of Nepal. Thanks be to God for all those who donated so
generously at the lunch and recital!
“Glory to God, whose power working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine!”
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See You in September! The PWRDF Email Update will return in September. To stay informed
in July and August, please visit www.pwrdf.org and www.justgeneration.ca. If you would like to
be in touch at any time, email Christine Hills at chills@pwrdf.org.
Wishing all a wonderful summer.
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