Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The Forgotten
War
Engage globally,
grow your
Church
Identity
Postcards
from the field
How you
can help
ay Savage
Photo: McK
PAGE 10
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PAGE 18
er from the Director
3 Lett
rld News
4 UnitingWo
OLIDARITY
6 CHURCH S ntinues
the story co
6 Sri Lanka, h
glo b a lly, gro w your churc
8 Engage and the New
India
M illi on a ire
10 Slumdog
l
11 Amie Dura
CE
12 EXPERIEN the field
from
12 Postcards
elp
13 You can h
nding need
13 Current fu
AND DE V ELOPMENT
14 RELIEF Uniting Visio
n
me, A
14 A New Na
t
14 Lent Even
15 Identity
see
16 Trust and ws
Project Up dates and Ne
18
e timeline
18 Zimbabw
pdates
19 Appeal U
KING
20 PEACEMA updates
gram
20 Peace pro eace
Hela Reg ion Unites for P
20
’s for 2009 istan
21 Joy’s plan flict Zon e; India and Pak
in the Co n
21 Working
eanestindian
om/photos/m
M ee na Ka dr i, www.flickr.c m .au
Cover image: heem.co
sign, www.bo
n: Boheem De
Graphic Desig ch uses
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En vi ro ca re, a 100% recy ch means
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Report is prin FSC standard
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JULY 2009
A new name, a new look,
a renewed commitment…
This is the first issue of our UnitingWorld magazine under our new name.
Uniting International Mission (UIM) and Uniting Church Overseas Aid (UCOA)
officially made the switch to one name, UnitingWorld on the 11th March 2009.
The decision was made by the Assembly We’ve switched our format from We also see Australian churches seeking
Standing Committee in late 2008 on landscape to portrait. This change allows connection and to share Christ’s love.
recommendations from a year long process us to use paper that is 100% recycled, We invite you to join with us in connecting
of consultation, prayer and deliberation. uncoated and cheaper. We’ve made some communities for life.
UnitingWorld encompasses all the programs changes to the style of the magazine in
of the former UIM and UCOA including In this issue you’ll read stories that may
keeping with our new logo.
Young Ambassadors for Peace and People horrify, challenge or energise you. All come
in Mission. All our work is embodied in our At UnitingWorld, we have the honor directly from our experiences with our
four program areas - Church Solidarity, of working closely with our partners partners and all are issues that you can
Experience, Relief and Development directly engage with.
and sharing in their struggles. We see
and Peacemaking.
mothers struggling to provide for their
We’re very excited about our new name, children, fathers bent under the burden We welcome your feedback and
logo and unified identity. We’ve also made of finding a job where there are none thoughts, email us any time at
a few changes for this issue of UnitingWorld and whole communities crying out info@unitingworld.org.au
magazine that we hope you’ll enjoy.
for justice.
UnitingWorld Staff
Rev. Dr Kerry Enright Rob Floyd Bryan Cussen Sharyn Robinson
National Director Associate Director Pacific Project Officer Schools and Community Liaison
kerrye@unitingworld.org.au Relief and Development Relief and Development Relief and Development
robf@unitingworld.org.au bryanc@unitingworld.org.au sharynr@unitingworld.org.au
Kathy Pereira
Associate Director Rev. Laurie Fitzgerald Rob Lutton Amy Elizes
Experience Associate Director Community Relationships Donor Liaison Officer
kathyp@unitingworld.org.au Relief and Development Manager amye@unitingworld.org.au
laurief@unitingworld.org.au robertl@unitingworld.org.au
Rev. John Barr Sarah Chesson
Associate Director Joy Balazo Amy Goodhew Executive Assistant
Church Solidarity (Asia) Associate Director Communications Coordinator sarahc@unitingworld.org.au
johnb@unitingworld.org.au Peacemaking amyg@unitingworld.org.au
joyb@unitingworld.org.au Russell Groves
Bruce Mullan Elle Shepherd Compliance Officer
Associate Director Communication Officer russellgroves@unitingworld.org.au
Church Solidarity (Pacific) Relief and Development
brucem@unitingworld.org.au elles@unitingworld.org.au
2 UNITINGWORLD
from the national director
a new name:
a uniting vision t
Letter from Kerry Enright
I saw this startlingly enacted many years ago. Over the last two years, we have enabled a number of congregations,
agencies and schools to partner communities overseas. Over the
In the early 80s I studied in the United States. Ronald Reagan was
next three years that will become a major part of how we function. We
the US President. Chernenko was the Soviet President. It was still
are developing a methodology and resources to multiply partnerships
the Cold War. There was still an Iron Curtain. Nuclear weapons faced
across the whole Church. We intend to start small so we can learn
off, held at bay by the threat of Mutually Assured Destruction.
well and so those with whom we work can become advocates.
During this era, one Sunday in a US Church, I witnessed a baptism
At the core and what sustains the effort is the belief that this is how
into the body of Christ. A couple of weeks later in the Soviet Union
Jesus meant us to live, connected as individuals and communities
I witnessed a baptism into the same body of Christ in an Orthodox
and that we need to receive that gift from him afresh.
Church in St Petersburg. At that moment these two people, divided
by ideology, language, culture, politics, distance and war became Such relationships change us. As this focus develops, you will hear
brothers and sisters in the most profound way. stories of overseas partners as usual, and new stories of what
difference it has made to Australian communities.
Such relationships mean we laugh with those who laugh, and cry with
those who cry. We stand with those who suffer and work to alleviate A connection UnitingWorld has made is much in mind at present. The
the poverty of people dying from hunger and thirst. We welcome each leaders of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, President Ame
other and open ourselves to their perspectives and experience. Christ Tugaue, General Secretary Tuikilakila Waqairatu and Deputy General
connects us with them for life. Secretary Tevita Banivanua are trying to deal diplomatically with the
military dominated interim government. This is despite provocative
This by-line “connecting communities for life” represents
action from the government and a strong sense of injustice among
a new focus for UnitingWorld, of working more intentionally
many Methodist members. UnitingWorld stands in solidarity with
with Australian
an church communities.
our partner and we are advocating the Australian government and
our other Pacific church partners to act in support of the Methodist
Church in Fiji and Rotuma.
Over these last weeks, my faith has been inspired by how these three
remarkable Christians are seeking to live out their faith. It sparks my
passion to see our new vision for UnitingWorld realised: Transformed
communities where peace and justice reign and poverty is alleviated,
reflecting our hope and life in Jesus Christ.
We celebrate how the risen Christ continues to turn hearts, overturn
systems, connect lives and lift people trapped in poverty. We pray
ourselves to be part of it, with you.
JULY 2009
UnitingWorld
news
South Australia and
Queensland celebrate
launch of UnitingWorld
In March and April this year members of Spicer
Uniting Church in Adelaide and Indooroopilly Uniting
Church in Brisbane gathered to mark the launch of
UnitingWorld. Celebrations included presentations, C
Connected
t d ffor Lif
Life
a round table meeting, question time and prayer.
4 UNITINGWORLD
UnitingWorld news
JULY 2009
After fleeing race related
violence in Sri Lanka Shiranee
Pararajasingham and her family
have been members of the
Strathfield – Homebush Parish
of the Uniting Church in
Australia for 26 years. She was
among many Tamils who arrived
in Australia as a result of the
anti-Tamil pogrom of July
1983. “We were a traumatised
community struggling to find
our feet while anxious about
those we had left behind”
she said. By Amy Goodhew
Her community is now a united one and
maintains an ongoing relationship with
her birthplace. “Some of us went back
to volunteer our services to rebuild our
war torn homeland, during the short lived
ceasefire. We re-united with families and
made wonderful new friendships”. Although
Shiranee is now back in Australia she has
not escaped the pain of the latest conflict
in Sri Lanka. “We don’t know how many
of these people have survived the recent
onslaught. We believe that well over 50,000
Tamils were killed and 40,000 maimed
during the past four months alone. We are
appalled at the conditions under which
survivors are held - conditions likened to
Nazi concentration camps. Many of the
Tamil Australians have lost loved ones in the
war or have friends or family now in camps,
suffering untold hardship”.
Shiranee was one of over 4,000 Australian
Tamils gathered at a memorial service in
Sydney’s Martin Place on Sunday 24 May
6 UNITINGWORLD
church solidarity
Our Church Solidarity programs (formerly church connections) are brought about
together with our partner churches. These programs support the church life and
ministries of our parttners, connecting them with Australian communities.
Th
The pa
partrtne
n r chur
ne chhur
u ch
ch rel ea attion
io
onshi
nsh p isis iint
nteg
nt egra
ral
al to tthe
h worrk of U
he Uni
n tiing
ni gWo
Worl rld
rl d an
and d at ttheh h
he hea
eartr of ev
ever
erry th
ery thin
ing
in g we
we do.
Soomee rrel
elat
atio
ons
n hiippss are ove v r 1000 yeyeararss ol
oldd an
and foform
rm ‘a ki
kind
nd ooff in
inte
te
ern
rnat
a io
at iona
nall in
intitima
macy
ma cy’ be
cy ettw
ween th t eU Unnitin
ittin
ingg
Ch
C hur
u ch ccomommumuniniitit es iin
n Au
A sts ra
alila an
and d thos
osse of ourur par
artn
tner
errs.
s Uni n ting
ng
gWoWorl
orrlld ad
a vovoca ca
cate
ate
tess on beh ehal
alf of
alf of ourr par a tn
tner
erss
er
o the
on he iiss
s ue
ss uess th
t at aff ffec
ecct th
t em
m and throu o gh h rrep
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ent
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tran
a sffor
an ormm bo oth ttheheir
he ir ccom
ommmu uniitities
ess a
and
nd our u se
selv
elves
e .
es
JULY 2009
engage globally,
grow your church
Want to see your church experience a deepened understanding of Christ and
His call on our lives? Ready to be invigorated as you learn from others’ journeys,
and seek to give without expecting anything in return? By Rob Lutton
8 UNITINGWORLD
church solidarity
1. 3.
Being Other-Centred Intentionally Living
A key longing of any Minister or church the Acts 1:8 Vision
leader is to instill within the people of faith Most Australian churches embrace the
a focus upon those outside the Church and Acts 1:8 call to do mission to those in our
to equip them for this task. This is of course own culture (Jerusalem), those somewhat
Christ’s calling on us: to love as he loved… different in culture and social standing
to give as he gave… to go to others as he (Judea) and to people of very different
came to us. cultural expressions (Samaria). We sink a
In the last 15 years, some leaders have lot of time, money and energy into this call.
viewed global mission as a distraction from But it’s the ‘ends of the earth’ bit that can
the local task. But, refreshingly, mission get us stuck. We’re happy to give to a bit
in local and global forms is again being here and there, but if a mission worker
celebrated as one of the primary core from our church is finishing their time in
values of the church. Indeed, new leaders a particular country, then our giving and
are actively looking for an integration of the praying for that cultural group often ends
local and the global as they engage the with them. I wonder that if we were to truly
biblical framework afresh. embrace a particular country and church
When an Australian community has a partner, as per the Acts 1:8 vision, our
deep, mutually enriching partnership with commitment to continuing that focus would
an international partner church, it has the not waiver with the transition of staff.
potential to breathe into their culture a What an opportunity we have: to look
wonderful other-centredness. There is a beyond our own backyard and connect
commitment to the partner church and the intentionally on a global scale. By giving
issues they face, with no view to a “return sacrificially of ourselves and learning from
on investment”. We love as Christ loves. our overseas partners, we allow Christ to
shape our own lives, to reveal to us how
JULY 2009
slumdog millionaire
and the new India
The fi
fillm, “Slumdog Millionaire”, scooped the movie awards for
2008. However, there have been mixed reactions. By John Barr
ONE OBSERVER SAID THE FILM HAS Is Slumdog Millionaire a fair representation Within the South Asia region India takes
A “FRESHNESS” WHICH “PORTRAYS A of modern India? Few people would doubt its place as a nuclear state alongside
CHANGING INDIA, with great realism, as that India is making its mark these days. Pakistan. Unresolved conflicts in Kashmir,
a land of self-makers, where the scruffy son The world’s largest democracy and the recent bomb attacks in Mumbai and fears
of the slums can, solely of his own effort, world’s second largest population cannot about Pakistan’s ability to deal with serious
hoist himself up, flout his origins, internal conflicts are creating
break with fate.” “Is Slumdog Millionaire a fair representation significant regional tensions.
The war in Sri Lanka and the
Others are less affirming, of modern India? Few people would doubt fate of Tamil communities, who
suggesting the film portrays that India is making its mark these days.” have strong links with South
India negatively. “The West India, adds to the situation.
loves to see us as a wasteland, There is a complex juxtaposition
filled with horror stories of exploitation and be ignored. Economic growth exceeding here involving poverty and wealth, tradition
degradation” said one Indian critic. This is 9% in recent years has created an increase and modernity, social harmony and the
a stereotypical “white man’s imagined in living standards and India is now a constant possibility of war.
India” said another. “Its not quite snake global player in information technology,
charmers, but its close, it’s a poverty tour.” telecommunications and pharmaceuticals. Refusing to see India’s future in terms
of pure chance or good luck, the Church
The term “slumdog” has also inflamed Meanwhile, India does face massive of North India, the Church of South India
reactions among slum dwellers. In Mumbai, problems with 300 million untouchables and the Presbyterian Church of India are
posters were displayed saying “I am not a and 70 million tribals locked into a cycle of making constructive contributions to India’s
dog”. Meanwhile activists claim the movie is endemic poverty. Landless farm labourers future. These churches advocate on behalf
“offensive, demeaning and insulting”. Sadly, still toil under oppressive conditions for a of India’s minorities, they provide education
the term “slumdog” is now being used as very meagre wage and religious minorities and medical services to marginalized
a slur against Indians living overseas. continue to be brutally persecuted. communities, they train young people to
serve as future leaders and they offer a
model of unity as barriers of caste, class,
ethnicity and religion are broken down.
FACT:
Australia and India
are both members of
the Commonwealth
10 UNITINGWORLD
church solidarity
Amie Dural
09 WITH HER VIBRANCY AND STORIES OF
FAITH AND JUSTICE.
She has led an extraordinary life. After her husband spoke
out about human rights abuses in the Philippines two years
ago, he was forced to flee to New Zealand, leaving Amie and
their new son behind in Manila. Their emotional reunion
just before NCYC signalled the extent of their commitment
to the gospel. Amie worked for an inter-church agency
that included the Uniting Church’s partner, the United
Church of Christ in the Philippines. Now in New Zealand
until it is safe for the family to return, Amie continues to
provide UnitingWorld with background information about
the Philippines. We use that information in our interaction
with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the
Minister of Foreign Affairs and others.
Anyone who speaks out and advocates For the churches to continue and Wo
W o
orl
rld
rl
ld Reso
Reso
Re soururce
urces Inst
ces In
nsttittut
ute
for meaningful social change is seen as strengthen their relationships with the Pilo
Pilo
Pi lot An
Anal
alyyssis
is of Gl
Gllob
ob
obal
al
a threat. Many have been murdered. communities that have been broken by Eccos
E osys
osys
yste
ems
ms, Fe
Febr
bruaryry 20001
UN reports and others held the military unjust socio-economic order, military
responsible. But no one has been seriously aggression, cultural discrimination and
investigated or convicted. political corruption.
JULY 2009
Experience placements (formerly known as People in Mission
placements) are the ultimate learning opportunity. Experience
programs provide the chance to spend time working with
a partner church in a mission or development placement.
Placements can range from just a few Are YOU able to serve? These Critical Placements are ready right now for
weeks to commitments spanning years, be interested volunteers. Please consider taking up one of these important opportunities:
undertaken as an individual or as part of a
1. Architect/Architectural Draftsperson – urgently needed to facilitate a training
team. Each placement is unique and shaped
course at Tupou Tertiary Institute in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. 3-12 months commitment or
by the needs of the host community but all
longer needed.
aim to build the capacity of communities.
Placements are available in Asia, Africa and 2. Librarian – or teacher able to work in a Library – urgently needed for 2 theological
the Pacific and require a variety of different college libraries in the Pacific (Tonga and Fiji). 6-12 month commitment needed.
skills to assist the host community.
3. Youth work - you will assist in developing the capacity of local people to develop
Placements are life changing experiences programs that engage young people in the life of the church. They are ready and
that challenge and immeasurably enrich both willing to explore and try new ideas that connect with young people. 3-12 month
the communities and individuals involved. commitment needed.
3. R0BERT
JETTA AN
D R0BERTA
In 2008, initial dis STANLEY
cussions were
and Richard Wall held between Un
ace from UAICC itingWorld
Training Progra National Leader
m - Yalga-binbi ship
Development, ab Institute for Com
out potential lin munity
Experience and ks between Un
work with indige itingWorld
result, we are sh nous communitie
aring in an InSo s. As a
cultural exchan lidarity (short te
ge) experience rm cross
in Tonga. This vis with our church
it will take place partners
Wallace, Robert in May with Rich
Jetta and Robe ard
by Kathy Pereira rta Stanley, acco
(Experience Pr m panied
(Church Solidar ograms) and Br
ity – Pacific). Th uce Mullan
e
4. Will YOU be th
sharing first hand ey will be spendin
in the crisis mini g ten days
Wesleyan Chur stry work of the
ch in Tonga. Wor Free
next Volunteer?
we will be sharing king alongside
in the ministry to ou r partners
and single mothe Deportees, stree
rs, Lifeline Tong t girls
a and other prog
rammes.
12 UNITINGWORLD
experience
JULY 2009
The Relief and Dev velopment unit of UnitingWorld supports comm muniity
deveelopment and capacity building for communities in Asia, Afrrica an nd the
Pacificc. Projects incclude water supply, health care, food security
y, voccational
train
ning, education, economic empowerment and emerg gency reliief.
Uni
U
Unnitin
ngWorld is fully accreditted w
with AusA sAIDID, th
the Australian goverrnmnment agencyy for or iint
nterna
atition
onal
a development. It is also
a signatory to the
e Australlian Co
Coun
unci
cill fo
forr In
Inte
tern
rnat
atio
iona
nall De
Deve
velopmen
ent (A
( CF
CFID
ID)) Co
Codeeooff Co
C nd
n uc
u t. Both these guidelines ensure
w meet the highestt st
we s andards in finan a cciial repportitng
n , trran
ansparenncy
cy, ma
mananage
geme
ment
nt and eth hical practice.
Dona
Do
ona
n tition
ons of $2 an
andd ov
over
e to relief and develop
pment
n pro
rograms are tax de
deductible.
As reported earlier in this issue, we have Although our name has changed
reached a significant point in our history. our approach and work remain
Uniting Church Overseas Aid is now the the same. UnitingWorld will
Relief and Development unit of continue to focus on the Pacific,
UnitingWorld. Peace programs such as Asia and Africa and the way we
Young Ambassadors for Peace are also work with our church partners
part of the unit. will remain unchanged.
FA
FACT
ACT
Th
CT:
:
he Mi
M lllen
nni
nium
um Dec ecla
lara
la ra
rati
ati
tion
onn
lent event
The Lent Event bible study theme for The team is encouraged by the numerous
re olv
resolved
ed
d tha
h t all ch
hil
ildr
dren
dr
drenn wou uld
d churches in Queensland this year who
2009 “Finding Faith in Testing Times” has
be ab
be blle to
to com
omp pllet
ete a co
cour
urse
ur
urse e of have taken on the Lent Event challenge.
proved particularly relevant. The study
prim
prim
primary
ary ed
ar edu
educ
uccat
atio
tio
ion by
by 20 0115.
5. Their involvement contributes to our Relief
asks key questions, core to what Lent
and Development programs in Papua New
Thrre
Thre
Th ee rre
egi
gion
o s –E Easst As
A ia
i aand
nd
d Event is all about – following the example Guinea, Timor Leste, South India, Sudan,
the P
the
th Pa
aci
aci
cifi
ifi
fic,
c, Eu
c, urrop
ope an
ope and C Ceent
ntrra
al of Jesus in caring for those who are poor Solomon Islands and Zambia.
Asia
As ia, an
andd La
Latin
tiin Am
Amer eric
er ica
ica an
and
d and responding to injustice. Over 3,000
To all those who have participated we trust
th
he Ca
Cari
Cari
ribb
ibb
bbeeaan – araree on
o ttra
rack
k study guides were purchased and many you have been personally enriched and we
to a
to ach
chie
ch iev
vee thi
his go
goal
al.
l. more downloaded from the Lent Event look forward to sharing with you the impact
website www.lentevent.com. of your support of these projects.
14 UNITINGWORLD
relief & development
JULY 2009
trust A few months ago I began to meet with
a spiritual director who encouraged me to
read and reflect on a book called Ruthless
Ramakesh and his family come from
a simple farming community in the hills
outside Tavua, east of Nadi. Last year
and
Trust: The Ragamuffin’s Path to God by he began to fall behind in his reading at
Brennan Manning. school, and became so frustrated that he
ceased attending school altogether. His
The book argues that the key to well-being
teacher suspected he had eye problems
and the walk of discipleship is a ‘second
and wrote to the clinic after hearing of the
conversion’ of trust and gratefulness.
visiting UnitingWorld team offering eye
see
He says, “unwavering trust is a rare
surgery for those who are poor.
and precious thing because it often
demands a degree of courage that After an examination by Dr Jeremy Smith,
borders on the heroic.” Ramakesh was diagnosed with cataracts
His thesis is that followers of Jesus who in both eyes and scheduled for surgery the
have not learnt the art of trusting God next day on the more problematic left eye.
regardless of circumstances live in a I was there to shoot a short video on how
By Rob Lutton perennial state of spiritual ill-health. He
the team expresses Christ’s compassion
suggests that Christian well-being centres
among those who cannot see but it was the
around being able to, “whisper a doxology
trust exhibited by the young Indian Fijian
in darkness.”
boy that spoke most to me.
With Manning’s book in my backpack and
At every point he trusted the medical
its thoughts filling my mind, in May this
team. He trusted the guidance and love
year I joined five Nurses, four Doctors,
of his family and, in a sense, he trusted
one Orthoptist and a medical student who
the goodwill of the Uniting Church in
would be performing life-changing eye
Australia whose generous donors make
surgeries on local Fijians. It was a great
lesson in what ‘unwavering trust’ meant this team possible.
as I saw this 11 person team at work. The day after the surgery, I went to the
The team, a joint partnership between family home and arrived to a hero’s
St Clair Uniting Church, Westmead, welcome. A curry par excellence was
Nepean and Lautoka hospitals, the placed before me and I was treated like
Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma royalty. This was in effect gratefulness
and the Relief and Development Unit of to the UnitingWorld eye care team and
UnitingWorld, has visited Fiji for the last the Uniting Church in Australia.
four years to provide much needed surgery.
I walked away reflecting on how I express
In May 2009, they successfully conducted
gratefulness to those who have contributed
94 cataract operations.
to my life but even more on the rich trust
When I saw six year old Ramakesh* (name of Ramakesh and family in the visiting
changed for security purposes) arrive in UnitingWorld team - this was a real glimpse
the Lautoka hospital waiting room, I saw into the kind of trust the love of God in
a future in the balance. Christ calls me to.
16 UNITINGWORLD
relief & development
getting involved
Donate money Donate equipment
UnitingWorld covers costs of the trip and Eye care equipment or suppliers are always needed
supports the team donating their time and skills
Serve
Partner This team is formed by the lead Doctors from
This kind of engagement is the result of a their own hospital staff. However, UnitingWorld
congregation taking the Acts 1:8 ‘ends of the has many opportunities for professionals to use
earth’ call seriously and entering into an their medical, IT or educational skills to build the
intentional partnership with UnitingWorld capacity of our partner churches
JULY 2009
project updates
PNG UnitingWorld India office
T Safe Water for Rural Areas
The In February UnitingWorld celebrated the rededication of our office
project expanded in 2007- 2008 to
p in Coimbatore, India. Bishops and key leaders from the Church of
a further eight rural villages and South India and personnel from UnitingWorld represented the UCA
now provides safe drinking water
n at this dedication.
ffor around 5,500 people. The
success of this project in Milne Rev. Jacob Belly, a minister of the Church of South India, will
Bay has led to the establishment lead the team and will work with local staff, the leadership of
of a second local team in the the Church of South India and the Church of North India and
Central province. In 2009 these UnitingWorld in Sydney.
assist a further eight villages to
two teams will as
Ron Reeson, a representative of the UCA at the service said ‘All of
access safe drinking water with all future water projects including
us gathered in Coimbatore that day knew that this marked a new
a sanitation component.
era in the relationship between the Uniting Church and the Church
The Church Partnership Program has gone from strength to strength of South India.’
since its inception. UnitingWorld’s Relief and Development unit and
our partner the United Church in Papua New Guinea took what The occasion was marked by a group of young girls from families
began as a one person development operation and made it into a devastated by the terrible tsunami of 2005 singing for the group.
thriving Development Unit of 25 people. In January 2009 all 25 staff These girls are now completing vocational training in Coimbatore,
of the Development Unit in Papua New Guinea came together for supported by funding from UCA.
the first time. Here the staff established contracts, a code of conduct
and annual activity plans for their work. UnitingWorld is excited to In Celebration of Water
see the progress our partner has made in community development. When the taps were turned on in four Dalit (low caste) villages in
Vello
Vellore, South India it was an occasion for wild celebration.
Everything in Common Two taps, a header tank, a small pump house and a very
Our Everything in Common gifts deep borehole were installed though a partnership between
catalogue has provided many A
AusAid and UnitingWorld’s Relief and Development unit.
people with a gift that makes T
These are community taps, available to Christian and Hindu
all the difference in the world. a
alike. Women’s groups in each place have been
g
given the responsibility for monitoring and
Donations to date will provide:
co
controlling water use.
• 200 goat herds and 500 single
goats in East TImor Au
Australians know something g about drought
an water restrictions but ass Margaret
and
n Zambia
• 200 books for the Jordan School in
Reeson, who was present att the
• 157 eye assessments and glasses in Fiji celebrations observed ‘Our women men
• 4 peace workshops and associated costs for Joy Balazo do not have to spend hours each ch day
ing
in seeking drinking water, walking
Overall the catalogue has been a huge success raising just under ater
long distances to fill a single water
$105,000 for Relief and Development programs in Fiji, East pot. We do not have to give ourr
Timor, Zambia Papua New Guinea and West Timor. children water that may carry
water-borne disease.’
Zimbabwe timeline
UnitingWorld’s Relief and Development water harvesting programs
in Zimbabwe were significantly slowed down because of the
instability inside the country. With Morgan Tsvangirai’s rise
2001
Finance Minister warns of
to the role of Prime Minister, hopes have also risen that
programs can recommence. UnitingWorld continues
1998 serious food shortages as
most western donors cut
Economic crisis and
to monitor the situation closely. aid because of Mugabe’s
riots occur.
land seizure program.
Below is a timeline of the
disintegration of events 1987 2000 2002
in Zimbabwe. 1980 Mugabe & Nkomo
merged their parties Zanu-PF narrowly Parliament passes a law
Mugabe wins into Zanu-PF. fights off a challenge limiting media freedom.
UnitingWorld invites you
independence from the opposition
to pray for the people Mugabe became Mugabe re-elected amid
elections and led by Morgan
of Zimbabwe. Executive President. accusations of election
is named Tsvangirai.
fraud by the opposition
Prime Minister.
and foreign
18 UNITINGWORLD
relief & development
appeal updates
Mwandi OVC Project Fiji Emergency Appeal
Your generous donations have e In January this year Fiji was hit by the country’s worst flooding in
allowed us to provide ongoing 50 years with waters rising to as high as three metres. The floods
support to our partner church, claimed the lives of 11 people and forced thousands of people to
the United Church of Zambia, evacuate their homes, leaving behind their livelihoods. The damage
for their Orphans and bill is estimated to be more than US$43 million.
Vulnerable Children project
The poorest were hardest hit by the storms with essential services
in Mwandi.
and agriculture in rural areas destroyed. Many businesses and
The project now provides: services will take several months to recover.
• Essential foods and vitamins to more than 220 children Since the launch the appeal has raised over $30,000 and
per day, six days a week we are working with our partners to see these funds used to
alleviate suffering.
• Each month the project distributes 330 pieces of clothing
• 500 blankets were distributed in the colder months
Jordan School Appeal
• Over 700 children have been given the opportunity to
The Jordan Community School is located in Zambia, which is stricken
undertake education and with the recent completion of
by HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that more than one in every seven adults
a sewing centre many more will gain vocational skills.
is living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia. Teachers and children either infected
or affected, lack psycho-social support, counselling services, adequate
West Timor Income Generating Projects nutrition and other basic needs.
The cattle fattening project in West Timor has provided an
To address this issue in 2008 the Relief and Development unit
opportunity for over 1120 people to transform their lives during
launched an appeal to support the Jordan Community School.
the three year span. There are currently 224 active loan clients
UnitingWorld offers shelter and care and psychosocial support for the
and between January and September 2008, a further 176 cattle
students as well as a teachers allowance for the school. The Jordan
were purchased and disbursed in the Betun region.
school has seven teachers and caters for 360 children from grades
Similarly the economic empowerment project has enabled many one-seven. At present, there is almost no support being received
to provide a better future for their family. Between January 2008 by the school.
and July 2008 over 1040 small entrepreneurs received loans The appeal has raised over $50,000 and
which have indirectly impacted around 4,515 people. Since it’s FACT:
will enable these children to receive vital
inception in 2006 the economic empowerment project has made support and education. Thank you to all The total amount
over 4200 loans and as of July 2008 the majority of active loan those
thos
thosee who
w o gave
wh gav generously.
gen
ener
erou
ousl
sly.
y. of water on the
clients were women. All loan clients have been able to save an earth is about 326
average of two months wage thanks to the project. million cubic miles.
Of all this water,
As a direct result of these projects many clients have been able humans can use
to increase their business size and income, send their children only about three
to school, carry out work on their homes and establish second tenths of a percent.
businesses. These projects are now winding down and our
partner is developing ways to continue this success.
2003 2009
General strike is followed
by arrest and beating
2008 Morgan Tsvangirai ai
is sworn in as prime
me
of hundreds of people.
Tsvangirai is arrested twice in
2006 Opposition won parliamentary elections &
Tsvangirai won first round of presidential poll.
minister after power
wer sharing
agreement reached.ed.
Year-on-year inflation Mr Mugabe wins presidential run-off election
a week of opposition protests Zimbabwe business and public
exceeds 1000%. New and is sworn in after Mr Tsvangirai pulls out.
and is charged with treason. servants paid in US dollars to
banknotes introduced. 100 billion dollar banknote introduced as year-
stem inflation.
on-year inflation rate reaches 2m per cent.
2005 2007
Mugabe and Tsvangirai sign power-sharing deal.
Annual inflation rate hits new high of 231m
Trading resumed at the
Zimbabwe Stock Exchange with
Zanu-PF party wins two-thirds transactions only in US dollars.
of votes in parliamentary polls All rallies and per cent.
but opposition party says demonstrations Water supplies cut off by government in Teachers agree to end a year
election was rigged against it banned for three response to rising cholera outbreak long strike after the government
months promised to review salaries
JULY 2009
peacemaking
Hela Region Unites
for Peace
On the 2nd of October, 2008 a long hoped for
event occurred as 32 warring tribes based in the
Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea came
together to sign permanent peace treaties. The
historic signing came after decades of war and
conflict in the region gave way to lengthy peace
negotiations. By Hannah Hoskin
The ‘Tari District Peace Agreement’ was negotiated through peace-
building activities conducted by a dedicated team of local volunteers
working for, Young Ambassadors for Peace (YAP), a program of
UnitingWorld. Under the treaty all 32 tribes will lay down weapons
and compensate each other for property and lives destroyed during
the conflict.
The peace process has taken more than seven years of negotiation
by YAP Associate Director, former nun and Australian of the Year
nominee, Joy Balazo. On the peace process Joy explained “if people
are given the place and are willing learn to respect people’s cultural,
religious and political differences then I believe peace is always
20 UNITINGWORLD
peacemaking
YAP updates:
Working with Women in the Solomon Islands Joy’s Plans for 2009:
Late last year a YAP workshop was conducted in Auki, FEB 1 – 12 YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku and
Malaita Islands with 18 women from Malaita and Ambon, Indonesia workshop and village visits
Guadalcanal Islands. This was the first all female
workshop for the Solomon Islands and focused on MAR 22 – 28 YAP and Closing the GAP Joint
planning meeting
re-building the damaged relationships between the
two islands which was a result of conflict in 1999. APR 16 – 22 YAP Bouganville, PNG workshop for
Ministers and wives
As the workshop progressed the fear and worry of these
two groups of women slowly melted away. Each day was an MAY 22 – 31 YAP Burma Training of the Trainers and
opportunity to understand and rebuild the broken relationship workshop
between the two groups. JUN 15 – 19 Rotary World Peace Symposium
Birmingham England
The farewell demonstrated the success of the workshop with
each participant crafted a necklace to hang around the neck JUN 22 – 26 Visits to European YAP funders:
of their newly found sisters. Council for World Mission, World Alliance
of Reformed Churches, World Council
Toward the end of last year YAP Solomon Islands was invited
of Churches and UK Methodist Church
to a youth rally organized by The United Church in the Solomon
Islands. Here the YAP staff engaged the youth on the work of JUN 29 – 5 JUL YAP Philippines visit
YAP, definitions of conflict and conflict mapping. It was very
successful with the youth contributing their ideas about conflict JUL 22 – 27 YAP Bouganville, PNG workshop
and building. for police force
October last year saw a YAP workshop run for AUG 21 – 31 YAP Training of the Trainers and Workshop,
32 mostly Muslim men from villages in the area. North East India
Violence still erupts occasionally, especially among young SEPT YAP Training of the Trainers and workshop,
people. The majority of the participants hold important positions Solomon Islands
in their villages and can be influential proponents for peace. 0CT YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku,
Indonesia workshop for Muslim villages
The workshop brought the participants from enemy villages
together to discuss how they will bring peace to their villages. It N0V YAP workshop Tari
was inspiring to see true friendship developing between ‘enemy’
leaders. As a result of the workshop the participants committed DEC YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku, Indonesia
to end the violence in their communities. workshop for Rajahs
JULY 2009
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