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July 2009
The ForgottenWar
Engage globally,grow your
ChurchIdentity
Postcardsfrom the field
How you
can help
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r e n
Photo:McKaySavage
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3 LetterfromtheDirector
4 UnitingWorldNews
6 CHURCHSOLIDARITY
6 SriLanka,thestoryconti
nues
8 Engageglobally,growyourchurch
10 SlumdogMillionaireand
theNewIndia
11 AmieDural
12 EXPERIENCE
12 Postcardsfromthefield
13 Youcanhelp
13 Currentfundingneed
14 RELIEFANDDEVELOPMENT
14 ANewName,AUniting
Vision
14 LentEvent
15 Identity
16 Trustandsee
18 ProjectUpdatesandNew
s
18 Zimbabwetimeline
19 AppealUpdates
20 PEACEMAKING
20 Peaceprogramupdates
20 HelaRegionUnitesforP
eace
21 Joysplansfor2009
21 WorkingintheConflictZ
one;IndiaandPakistan
Coverimage:MeenaKadri,
www.flickr.com/photos/me
anestindian
GraphicDesign:BoheemDe
sign,www.boheem.com.au
ThisAnnualReportisprintedonEnviro
care,a100%recycledstock
whichuses
65%post-consumerwaste.
ItisalsoaccreditedtoFSCstandardswhichmea
ns
bestpracticeshavebeenus
ed.
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Rev. Dr Kerry EnrightNational Director
Kathy PereiraAssociate Director
Experience
Rev. John BarrAssociate Director
Church Solidarity (Asia)
[email protected] MullanAssociate Director
Church Solidarity (Pacific)
The decision was made by the Assembly
Standing Committee in late 2008 on
recommendations from a year long process
of consultation, prayer and deliberation.
UnitingWorld encompasses all the programs
of the former UIM and UCOA including
Young Ambassadors for Peace and People
in Mission. All our work is embodied in our
four program areas - Church Solidarity,Experience, Relief and Development
and Peacemaking.
Were very excited about our new name,
logo and unified identity. Weve also made
a few changes for this issue of UnitingWorld
magazine that we hope youll enjoy.
Correction:In our last issue a story entitled Knox Grammar travelsto Lelehudi appeared, about a group of boys from
Knox Grammar traveling to a village in PNG.The Headmaster of Knox was incorrectly referred to in thisarticle as the Principal and she. The Headmaster of KnoxGrammar is John Weeks and the Head of Christian Studiesand Social Justice is Helen Clarke. After visiting Lelehudiwith his wife and Helen Clarke in November 2007, JohnWeeks felt confident that a partnership with the communitywould be of benefit to the students and that they could visitthere with safety. Helen then arranged and led the boys onthe inaugural trip in July 2008.
UnitingWorld apologises for the confusion.
A new name, a new look,a renewed commitment
UnitingWorld Staff
Rob FloydAssociate Director
Relief and Development
Rev. Laurie FitzgeraldAssociate Director
Relief and Development
Joy BalazoAssociate Director
Bryan CussenPacific Project Officer
Relief and Development
Rob LuttonCommunity Relationships
Manager
Amy GoodhewCommunications Coordinator
Elle ShepherdCommunication Officer
Relief and Development
Weve switched our format from
landscape to portrait. This change allows
us to use paper that is 100% recycled,
uncoated and cheaper. Weve made some
changes to the style of the magazine in
keeping with our new logo.
At UnitingWorld, we have the honor
of working closely with our partners
and sharing in their struggles. We see
mothers struggling to provide for their
children, fathers bent under the burden
of finding a job where there are none
and whole communities crying out
for justice.
We also see Australian churches seeking
connection and to share Christs love.
We invite you to join with us in connecting
communities for life.
In this issue youll read stories that may
horrify, challenge or energise you. All come
directly from our experiences with our
partners and all are issues that you candirectly engage with.
We welcome your feedback andthoughts, email us any time [email protected]
Sharyn RobinsonSchools and Community Liaison
Relief and Development
Amy ElizesDonor Liaison Officer
Sarah ChessonExecutive Assistant
Russell GrovesCompliance Officer
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.
Office news: We welcomed Bruce Mullan, Associate Director (Pacific).
We welcomed Elle Shepherd, Communication Officerfor Relief and Development programs.
We welcomed Bryan Cussen, Pacific Project Officerfor Relief and Development programs.
We said goodbye to Hannah Hoskin, CommunicationOfficer for Uniting Church Overseas Aid.
On March 11 we officially made the switch to ournew name UnitingWorld.
February 24 saw the beginning of Lent and Lent Event.
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I saw this startlingly enacted many years ago.
In the early 80s I studied in the United States. Ronald Reagan was
the US President. Chernenko was the Soviet President. It was still
the Cold War. There was still an Iron Curtain. Nuclear weapons faced
off, held at bay by the threat of Mutually Assured Destruction.
During this era, one Sunday in a US Church, I witnessed a baptism
into the body of Christ. A couple of weeks later in the Soviet UnionI witnessed a baptism into the same body of Christ in an Orthodox
Church in St Petersburg. At that moment these two people, divided
by ideology, language, culture, politics, distance and war became
brothers and sisters in the most profound way.
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
the poverty of people dying from hunger and thirst. We welcome each
other and open ourselves to their perspectives and experience. Christ
connects us with them for life.
This by-line connecting communities for l ife represents
a new focus for UnitingWorld, of working more intentionally
with Australian church communities.
What UnitingWorld does is driven by our belief about
who people are together in Jesus Christ. It flows frombelieving that Christ connects people and communitiesat levels deeper than what might ever divide us.
Over the last two years, we have enabled a number of congregations,
agencies and schools to partner communities overseas. Over the
next three years that will become a major part of how we function. We
are developing a methodology and resources to multiply partnerships
across the whole Church. We intend to start small so we can learn
well and so those with whom we work can become advocates.
At the core and what sustains the effort is the belief that this is how
Jesus meant us to live, connected as individuals and communitiesand that we need to receive that gift from him afresh.
Such relationships change us. As this focus develops, you will hear
stories of overseas partners as usual, and new stories of what
difference it has made to Australian communities.
A connection UnitingWorld has made is much in mind at present. The
leaders of the Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotuma, President Ame
Tugaue, General Secretary Tuikilakila Waqairatu and Deputy General
Secretary Tevita Banivanua are trying to deal diplomatically with the
military dominated interim government. This is despite provocative
action from the government and a strong sense of injustice among
many Methodist members. UnitingWorld stands in solidarity with
our partner and we are advocating the Australian government andour 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.
from the national director
Kerry Enright National Director
.
anewname:aunitingvision
LetterfromKerryEnright
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South Australia andQueensland celebratelaunch of UnitingWorldIn 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,
a round table meeting, question time and prayer.
National Director Kerry Enright thanked those present for
their rich contribution to the overseas work of the Uniting
Church and expressed our desire to re-energise the global
engagement of our denomination.
He said, In recent years, the Church rightly emphasised the
local nature of mission. Today God is renewing the global
spirit in us as we sense how deeply Christ connects us
beyond the local thats why the name is Uniting, and its
global, not just local, so its UnitingWorld.
We want to support you in enthusing your friends, your
congregation, your communities for this engagement.
We ask you for your support, your prayers, your interest
and your contact.
UnitingWorld
ew
new websiteAs part of our new name and structure,UnitingWorld has also launched a newwebsite. Our new site can be viewed atwww.unitingworld.org.au and providescomprehensive information on ourprojects, church partners, the countriesin which we work as well as resourcesfor your engagement.
If you have any suggestions for what youwould like to see on the new site pleaseemail [email protected]
Connected for Lifewith the United Churchin the Solomon IslandsWhen NewLife Uniting Church in Robina QLD appealed for funds
for Helena Goldie Hospital in the Solomon Islands they were
thrilled when their target of $30,000 was exceeded with $70,000
given at final tally. These funds will enable the construction of a
house on hospital grounds that will be used for training hospital
and community health staff.
Lead Minister at NewLife, Stuart Cameron said The great gift
to me in our partnership with the United Church in the Solomon
Islands is to be inspired by people who are so resource poor by
comparison with us but so rich in God in the way they live out
their faith 24/7.
Our relationship with the Church in the Solomon Islands
has developed around relationships, around connections
and around conversation. We have been involved in a coupleof trips to the Solomon Islands and also hosted visitors from
the Solomon Islands to our congregation. Weve been involved
in each others worship services, met in small groups, had
meals together and talked about different challenges we
face in proclaiming the gospel in our countries.
We have laughed together. We have cried together. We have
sung together. We have prayed together. We have done life
together and that is what partnership is about. And as we
have done that we begin to learn from one another.
If your congregation in interested in exploringpartnership directions please contact
Uniting World +61 2 8267 4267
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UnitingWorld lobbies CanberraThis March, UnitingWorld, the ACTU and other civil
society leaders met with Australian parliamentary and
government leaders in Canberra to ask for a fair go
on trade talks with Pacific nations. By Bruce Mullan
On a recent visit to the Solomon Islands
I watched hundreds of happy children
heading for class at the KokeqoloCommunity School. Here a small team
of teachers deliver education with few
resources, inadequate facilities and
limited professional preparation. Children
like Joseph, who I met in Kokeqolo, are
a reminder of the severe impact a free
trade agreement will have.
Under the agreement it is estimated that
the Solomon Islands government will lose
up to $31 million Solomon Dollars annually
in tariffs currently collected on imports from
Australia and NZ. The question must be
asked, how will they continue to pay their
teachers and provide basic health and
education services to the community?
Motivated by children like Joseph and our
commitment to stand in solidarity with our
partner churches I was part of a delegation
that met with Parliamentary Secretary
(Pacific Island Affairs) Duncan Kerr and key
advisors for Trade Minister Simon Crean
and Parliamentary Secretary (InternationalDevelopment Assistance) Bob McMullan.
As Australia and New Zealand engage in
PACER Plus round of trade negotiations
with Pacific nations both countries
are working hard to persuade Pacific
governments of the advantages of their
approach.
UnitingWorlds view is that the Australian
and New Zealand governments are
operating like free trade evangelists and
it appears that only civil society groups
including the church are presenting
alternative views.
We have developed a policy paper on
trade justice and in July will request the
Assembly adopt this paper as the basis
for representations and advocacy. The
paper points out that while trade offers
opportunities to foster human development,
an unrestrained international trade system
potentially will leave the poorest and most
vulnerable behind.
UnitingWorld encourages you and your
community to advocate for fair tradeagreements and for trade negotiations
to take account of Pacific Island realities.
You can download a copy of thepaper at www.unitingworld.org.au.
UnitingWorld news
FACT:
Overseas aid by richcountries fell 8.4 percent
last year from 2006.
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Her community is now a united one andmaintains 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 dont 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 areappalled 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
Sydneys Martin Place on Sunday 24 May
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 inAustralia 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
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Chu ch r t r n t o ug t abe .. h a up t urc fe
r o r , o e e w unit ..
T e n r ch rch r lat hi l work itin o d t rt o e o.So r latio s are ver 10 r o rm a n e i nal nt m b ee e t ng
C n i Australia a tho e of o r artne s. Uniti advo n beha r artner
n t e s t taf ct them d throu e rese ting them, nsf r both e m ti sand urs ves.
to honour slain Tamils. We stood there
unable to speak or acknowledge each other,
steeped in sorrow for the many thousands of
lives lost and our homeland now under army
occupation she said.
The horror of the civil war experienced
by Shiranee and many more in Sri Lankamay be over but for thousands of civilians
displaced by the war, their struggle to survive
continues. The Uniting Church in Australia
has links with Sri Lanka through partnerships
with local churches and Sri Lankan members
of the Uniting Church in Australia. Many of
these partner churches are serving in regions
impacted by the war. Church members and
clergy have been detained by the Sri Lankan
military. They have lost family members and
their stories are heartbreaking.
In response to this deepening crisis,
UnitingWorld has launched an emergencyappeal for Sri Lanka and has sent an initial
$25k for immediate relief for the estimated
250,000 people trapped in welfare camps.
The camps suffer poor sanitation and
shortages of food, water and shelter. Many
have described these centres as detention
camps as there is no freedom of movement
beyond them. Those in camp suspected of
ties to the Tamil Tigers (LTTE) have been
removed by the army and have not been
seen since.
Funds raised will provide essential food and
equipment, pastoral support and medicalsupplies. We are also seeking to establish
emergency accommodation to provide a
day care service, meals, counselling and
equipment to displaced communities.
Relief and Development Associate Director
Rob Floyd says Supplies will provide for
approx. 4,500 people for one to two weeks
but continued uncertainty means that more
assistance is urgently needed.
DonateYou can donate via the websitewww.unitingworld.org.au , or call 1800 998 122
AdvocateThe Hon Stephen Smith, Minister for Foreign Affairshas said we [can] help the Sri Lankan government,the Sri Lankan people achieve an enduring, lastingpeace you can write to the Minister to register yoursupport of this stance and your ongoing concern.
PrayThe UnitingWorld website has prayer resources forSri Lanka provided by the Christian Conference of Asia.
*Names have been withheld to protect thosein the conflict zone.
church solidarity
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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
engage globally,grow your church
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church solidarity
3.Intentionally Livingthe Acts 1:8 VisionMost Australian churches embrace the
Acts 1:8 call to do mission to those in our
own culture (Jerusalem), those somewhat
different in culture and social standing
(Judea) and to people of very different
cultural expressions (Samaria). We sink a
lot of time, money and energy into this call.
But its the ends of the earth bit that can
get us stuck. Were happy to give to a bit
here and there, but if a mission worker
from our church is finishing their time in
a particular country, then our giving and
praying for that cultural group often endswith them. I wonder that if we were to truly
embrace a particular country and church
partner, as per the Acts 1:8 vision, our
commitment to continuing that focus would
not waiver with the transition of staff.
What an opportunity we have: to look
beyond our own backyard and connect
intentionally on a global scale. By giving
sacrificially of ourselves and learning from
our overseas partners, we allow Christ to
shape our own lives, to reveal to us how
our consumer-cum-celebrity culture isstifling His mission. Thankfully, our lives
will never be the same.
If your church is interestedin forming a partnershipwith a church overseas,contact UnitingWorld.
1.Being Other-CentredA key longing of any Minister or church
leader is to instill within the people of faith
a focus upon those outside the Church and
to equip them for this task. This is of course
Christs calling on us: to love as he loved
to give as he gave to go to others as he
came to us.
In the last 15 years, some leaders have
viewed global mission as a distraction from
the local task. But, refreshingly, mission
in local and global forms is again being
celebrated as one of the primary core
values of the church. Indeed, new leaders
are actively looking for an integration of the
local and the global as they engage the
biblical framework afresh.
When an Australian community has a
deep, mutually enriching partnership with
an international partner church, it has the
potential to breathe into their culture a
wonderful other-centredness. There is a
commitment to the partner church and the
issues they face, with no view to a return
on investment. We love as Christ loves.
2.Exposure to NewWays of BeingRelated to this other-centredness
is the change in us that comes from
close connection.
Some years ago as a Pastor, I led a short-
term team to Papua New Guinea. We
found that even though the Papuans lived
in a context of great simplicity and poverty,
they were filled with amazing happiness.As a team, we grappled with the need to
be more relational in our approach to life
and witness and considered whether our
thankfulness for the gospel was diminished
due to our materialism. We took these
challenges back to our church in Australia
and saw many lives, and indeed the culture
of the church, significantly impacted.
Australian culture has become so diverse
that a one-size-fits-all approach to
mission can no longer cut it. As Australian
churches, we have the opportunity to
learn from our partner churches overseas:
to discover and integrate their creative
approaches to witnessing and bringing
justice and peace.
UnitingWorld is on this everyjourney: discovering howgenuine partnerships that areconnecting communities inAustralia with those overseas,is genuinely transforminglives and entire churches. Itsas simple and profound asfocusing on others, learningnew ways of doing church andseeking to give expression tothe Kingdom of God in placesnear and far.
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ONE OBSERVER SAID THE FILM HAS
A FRESHNESS WHICH PORTRAYS A
CHANGING INDIA, with great realism, as
a land of self-makers, where the scruffy son
of the slums can, solely of his own effort,
hoist himself up, flout his origins,
break with fate.
Others are less affirming,suggesting the film portrays
India negatively. The West
loves to see us as a wasteland,
filled with horror stories of exploitation and
degradation said one Indian critic. This is
a stereotypical white mans imagined
India said another. Its not quite snake
charmers, but its close, its a poverty tour.
The term slumdog has also inflamed
reactions among slum dwellers. In Mumbai,
posters were displayed saying I am not a
dog. Meanwhile activists claim the movie is
offensive, demeaning and insulting. Sadly,
the term slumdog is now being used as
a slur against Indians living overseas.
Is Slumdog Millionairea fair representation
of modern India? Few people would doubt
that India is making its mark these days.
The worlds largest democracy and the
worlds second largest population cannot
be ignored. Economic growth exceeding
9% in recent years has created an increase
in living standards and India is now a
global player in information technology,
telecommunications and pharmaceuticals.
Meanwhile, India does face massive
problems with 300 million untouchables
and 70 million tribals locked into a cycle of
endemic poverty. Landless farm labourersstill toil under oppressive conditions for a
very meagre wage and religious minorities
continue to be brutally persecuted.
slumdog millionaire
and the new Indial , dog Milli naire, s o ed e e a s r2008. Ho ev , t re en ed rea tions. y J n rr
Is Slumdog Millionaire a fair representation
of modern India? Few people would doubtthat India is making its mark these days.
Within the South Asia region India takes
its place as a nuclear state alongside
Pakistan. Unresolved conflicts in Kashmir,
recent bomb attacks in Mumbai and fears
about Pakistans ability to deal with serious
internal conflicts are creating
significant regional tensions.
The war in Sri Lanka and the
fate of Tamil communities, who
have strong links with South
India, adds to the situation.
There is a complex juxtaposition
here involving poverty and wealth, tradition
and modernity, social harmony and the
constant possibility of war.
Refusing to see Indias future in terms
of pure chance or good luck, the Church
of North India, the Church of South India
and the Presbyterian Church of India are
making constructive contributions to Indias
future. These churches advocate on behalfof Indias minorities, they provide education
and medical services to marginalized
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.
Photo: McKay Savage
Slumdog Millionaire offers aninsight into modern India. Butthere is much more to this country.Our partner churches are integralto the changes taking place.
This is a critical witness and theUniting Church works in solidaritywith these churches to enablecommunities across India to havea real future in this great country.
FACT:Australia and Indiaare both members ofthe Commonwealth
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AFTER NCYC, AMY GOODHEWSAT DOWN WITH AMIE.
What are the biggest challengesyour community faces?
Persecution. Religious leaders and workers
became victims of unjust detention,
torture and murder during the Marcos
dictatorship. These human rights breaches
are happening again at a time when the
government claimed there is vibrant
democracy in the Philippines. The majority
of the victims belong to the United Church
of Christ in the Philippines.
Anyone who speaks out and advocates
for meaningful social change is seen as
a threat. Many have been murdered.
UN reports and others held the military
responsible. But no one has been seriously
investigated or convicted.
How does God work inyour community?
When a pair of shackled feetcannot walk, God mobilizes others to walk
for another mans/ womans freedom.
Was the message from the Guerrero family
(the family of the kidnapped and detained
Pastor Berlin Guerrero) as prayers, letters
of support and solidarity actions flowed
within the Philippines and from Australia,
Canada and other places around the world
when Pastor Berlin was unjustly detained.
What are your hopes?
For the churches to continue and
strengthen their relationships with thecommunities that have been broken by
unjust socio-economic order, military
aggression, cultural discrimination and
political corruption.
profile:
Amie Dural
AMIE DURAL WOWED YOUNG AUDIENCES ATNATIONAL CHRISTIAN YOUTH CONVENTION09 WITH HER VIBRANCY AND STORIES OFFAITH AND JUSTICE.
She has led an extraordinary life. After her husband spoke
out about human rights abuses in the Philippines two yearsago, 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 commitmentto the gospel. Amie worked for an inter-church agency
that included the Uniting Churchs partner, the United
Church of Christ in the Philippines. Now in New Zealand
until it is safe for the family to return, Amie continues toprovide 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.
Amies help goes with UnitingWorlds increased
engagement with the Philippines. Through our Experience
program, Elizabeth Mullan from Wesley Canberra willbe working with a Manila congregation on community
development among people living on one of Manilas
massive rubbish dumps. We are also exploring our firstdevelopment programs there, alongside the existing
Young Ambassadors for Peace work.
:
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church solidarity
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3. R0BERTJETTAANDR0BERTASTANLEYIn2008,initialdiscussionswereheldbetweenUnitingWorldandRichardWallacefromUAICCNationalLeadershipTrainingProgram-Yalga-binbiInstituteforCommunityDevelopment,aboutpotentiallinksbetweenUnitingWorldExperienceandworkwithindigenouscommunities.Asaresult,wearesharinginanInSolidarity(shorttermcrossculturalexchange)experiencewithourchurchpartnersinTonga.ThisvisitwilltakeplaceinMaywithRichardWallace,RobertJettaandRobertaStanley,accompanied
byKathyPereira(ExperiencePrograms)andBruceMullan
(ChurchSolidarityPacific).Theywillbespendingtendayssharing firsthandinthecrisisministryworkoftheFreeWesleyanChurchinTonga.WorkingalongsideourpartnerswewillbesharingintheministrytoDeportees,streetgirlsandsinglemothers,LifelineTongaandotherprogrammes.
Experience placements (formerly known as People in Missionplacements) are the ultimate learning opportunity. Experienceprograms provide the chance to spend time working witha partner church in a mission or development placement.
Placements can range from just a fewweeks to commitments spanning years, beundertaken as an individual or as part of ateam. Each placement is unique and shapedby the needs of the host community but allaim to build the capacity of communities.
Placements are available in Asia, Africa andthe Pacific and require a variety of differentskills to assist the host community.
Placements are life changing experiencesthat challenge and immeasurably enrich boththe communities and individuals involved.
4.WillYOUbethe
nextVolunteer?
postcards from the field
Are YOU able to serve? These Critical Placements are ready right now for
interested volunteers. Please consider taking up one of these important opportunities:
1. Architect/Architectural Draftsperson urgently needed to facilitate a training
course at Tupou Tertiary Institute in Nukualofa, Tonga. 3-12 months commitment or
longer needed.
2. Librarian or teacher able to work in a Library urgently needed for 2 theologicalcollege libraries in the Pacific (Tonga and Fiji). 6-12 month commitment needed.
3. Youth work - you will assist in developing the capacity of local people to develop
programs that engage young people in the life of the church. They are ready and
willing to explore and try new ideas that connect with young people. 3-12 month
commitment needed.
. R0
1.GARYANDLYNW
ALLIS
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hey
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irlsare
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Everymorningat6:00am
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ffandany
otherneedsthatarise.
Dona,anartistandaministrycandidateatTrinityTheologicalCollegeinBrisbane,hasrecentlyreturnedfromatenweekfieldeducationplacementexperienceinKiribati.Donasharedwithus,inherfinalweekofthisplacement:Here,wearecountingthedays,andwecantbelievethefinal
weekishere.Iamfilledwithmixedfeelingsofwonder,gratitude,amazement,sadnessandalsoexcitementatthethoughtofmyreturn.Thepreschoolfamiliesaregivingmeafarewellfeasttomorrow.Thatisgoingtobeabitsad.ThankyouforyourprayerseveryoneIbelieveIexperiencethepowerofyourprayersdaily.
2.D0NASPENCER
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Leslene Woodward $5,000 required for 6 months
Leslene is an amazing woman who has been
developing the Library at Tamil Nadu Theological
College in India. Having come to the end of this time,
Leslene is keen to finish her mission service
by using these gifts in Kiribati, where she will be
working on Library development at Tangitebu
Theological College.
Daryl and Eleanor Burford $5,000 needed for 3 months
Daryl and Eleanor are planning to spend a minimum
of 3 months sharing with our partner church in Papua
New Guinea in the Papuan Islands region. They are
to be based in Salamo where Eleanor will be teaching
at Wesley High School and Daryl, a medical doctor
with further qualifications in tropical medicine, will be
working with the Community Health Worker training
programme. These gifts and talents they bring will
be of enormous value to the community and we urge
supporters to assist in providing the resources needed
to send them to this placement.
How much does it cost to send
a volunteer into a placement for12 months?
The answer is about one cupof coffee a week.
To fully support a volunteer towork with our partner churchesit costs an average of $10,000per year. This includes allcosts airfares, insurance,basic living allowance.
50 people give $5 per week
= a volunteer can go and serve.
you can HELP.Volunteers are supported through local
church communities, both financially andin prayer and pastoral support. This is an
exciting way to work as we are all participants
in Gods work together.
For regular supporters of UnitingWorld
volunteers, we offer ongoing updates for
church communities and individuals who
would like to support a UnitingWorld volunteer.
Supporters will receive the following:
A volunteer profile and, if possible, the
volunteer will come and share with you
about their planned activities
you can support specific volunteers either as a oneoff donation or on a regular basis e.g. $20 per month for 2 months.
Carmen Webster $2,500 needed for 3 months
Carmen is a vibrant, joyous woman who wants to
stretch herself and use her gifts in a cross cultural
setting. She has been working at a local Uniting
Church Opportunity Shop in South Australia and is
going to take up a placement in Tonga where she
will be assisting with a number of Sunday School
programmes and Adult Bible Studies.
Mr and Mrs Hong $20,000 needed for 12 months.
Mr and Mrs Hong work in remote areas in China
and also in work in North Korea, establishing and
facilitating an orphanage and TB clinic. This work is
extremely complex and challenging. But Mr and Mrs
Hong have made amazing progress and have learned
to rely on God for their daily needs. You can support
them as they work in this difficult area of our world.
you can support volunteers through a general fund thatis used for assisting anyone who is struggling to gain full financial supportprior to serving overseas. UnitingWorld will allocate funds according to need.
UnitingWorld currently needssupport for the following volunteers:
Regular updates and prayer points from
UnitingWorld about the volunteers workand regular newsletters from the volunteer
themselves.
The opportunity to correspond with the
volunteer while they are in their placement
and offer pastoral support for them.
An object from the volunteers host culture
to display that reminds everyone of the
support you are offering.
Readings for you and your church about
global mission.
For a full list of current and approved volunteers
needing support visit www.unitingworld.org.au
experience
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lent eventThe Lent Event bible study theme for
2009 Finding Faith in Testing Times has
proved particularly relevant. The study
asks key questions, core to what Lent
Event is all about following the example
of Jesus in caring for those who are poor
and responding to injustice. Over 3,000study guides were purchased and many
more downloaded from the Lent Event
website www.lentevent.com.
The team is encouraged by the numerouschurches in Queensland this year whohave taken on the Lent Event challenge.Their involvement contributes to our Reliefand Development programs in Papua NewGuinea, Timor Leste, South India, Sudan,Solomon Islands and Zambia.
To all those who have participated we trustyou have been personally enriched and welook forward to sharing with you the impactof your support of these projects.
FT en iu l r ionres e t at all i re o ld
r e o ...
e o as s an
, mer c d re o
a .
As reported earlier in this issue, we havereached a significant point in our history.
Uniting Church Overseas Aid is now the
Relief and Development unit of
UnitingWorld. Peace programs such as
Young Ambassadors for Peace are also
part of the unit.
Although our name has changedour approach and work remain
the same. UnitingWorld will
continue to focus on the Pacific,
Asia and Africa and the way we
work with our church partners
will remain unchanged.
e ief ev ment unit of UnitingWorld supports com unid velopment a d c acity building for communities in Asia, Afr ca a e
a ific. ects include water supply, health care, food securit , vo ationalt i , on, economic empowerment and emerge rel f.
tingWorld is fully accredit d ith Au , e ustralian gove ent agency for er nal development. It is also
a signatory to t e Austr lian un f r I velopment (AC ) ode o onduct. Both these guidelines ensure
we meet the highest standards in financ al reporting, transpar c , e t and ethical practice.
ns of $2 and v r to relief nd developme t programs are tax eductible.
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relief & development
Government authorities wanted at one
point to make their region a sanctuary for
tigers, believing that only a single family
lived there. The project staff were able to
show that this was not true. They were able
to produce detailed files on families known
to them, each file with a photograph ofthe household, names, birth dates, ration
cards, immunization certificates, school
certificates and any other correspondence
related to that family. With assistance from
project staff, the adult Self-Help Groups
have formed a Federation that meets
annually with 500 people. This has given
the people a strong identity and voice was
they petition government departments.
They are able to declare: I am here.
I have an identity. I have worth.
able to declare: I am here.
n identity. I have worth.
Among the many horrors
and grief of the bushfires in
Victoria this summer has been
the loss, for many, of almost
every document that identifies
them no drivers license, no
passport, none of the usual
papers. Are you who you say
you are? What rights do you
have to insurance, property, a
pension? by Margaret Reeson
Those who have experienced this kind
of loss will understand the importance of
being able to establish identity. Identity is
one aspect of the UnitingWorld project in
the remote mountain region of Nilgris Hills.The Integrated Tribal Development Project
began in 1997 among traditional tribal
people who live in the high forests where
the state borders of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and
Karnataka touch. Known collectively as the
Adivasi, the four participating tribal groups
have their own distinctive languages,
ethnicity, culture and dress.
An aid project was first established in this
area through Uniting Church Overseas Aid in
1997, in collaboration with Church of South
India. At this time the people were very shyand the first step was a small pre-school to
give children a start in education. Gradually
the parents have gained confidence as they
have seen their children bloom. They value
the regular feeding program, support for
children going to school, the hostel in town
for older girls who have graduated to further
education and the Self-Help Groups for
adults. The program now has expanded to
serve twelve villages.
Perhaps most helpful of all has been the
efforts of the staff working in the project
including project officers, pre-schoolteachers, health workers and social
workers. These staff members are proving
to the authorities that real people and living
communities, have their homes in those
forested hills.
FACT:
Every day, a European
cow gets more in
subsidies (approx
US$2.20) than 1.2 billion
of the worlds poor have
to live on
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Ramakesh and his family come from
a simple farming community in the hills
outside Tavua, east of Nadi. Last year
he began to fall behind in his reading at
school, and became so frustrated that he
ceased attending school altogether. His
teacher suspected he had eye problemsand wrote to the clinic after hearing of the
visiting UnitingWorld team offering eye
surgery for those who are poor.
After an examination by Dr Jeremy Smith,
Ramakesh was diagnosed with cataracts
in both eyes and scheduled for surgery the
next day on the more problematic left eye.
I was there to shoot a short video on how
the team expresses Christs compassion
among those who cannot see but it was the
trust exhibited by the young Indian Fijian
boy that spoke most to me.
At every point he trusted the medical
team. He trusted the guidance and love
of his family and, in a sense, he trusted
the goodwill of the Uniting Church in
Australia whose generous donors make
this team possible.
The day after the surgery, I went to the
family home and arrived to a heros
welcome. A curry par excellence was
placed before me and I was treated like
royalty. This was in effect gratefulnessto the UnitingWorld eye care team and
the Uniting Church in Australia.
I walked away reflecting on how I express
gratefulness to those who have contributed
to my life but even more on the rich trust
of Ramakesh and family in the visiting
UnitingWorld team - this was a real glimpse
into the kind of trust the love of God in
Christ calls me to.
A few months ago I began to meet with
a spiritual director who encouraged me to
read and reflect on a book called Ruthless
Trust: The Ragamuffins Path to Godby
Brennan Manning.
The book argues that the key to well-being
and the walk of discipleship is a second
conversion of trust and gratefulness.
He says, unwavering trust is a rare
and precious thing because it often
demands a degree of courage that
borders on the heroic.
His thesis is that followers of Jesus who
have not learnt the art of trusting God
regardless of circumstances live in a
perennial state of spiritual ill-health. He
suggests that Christian well-being centres
around being able to, whisper a doxology
in darkness.
With Mannings book in my backpack and
its thoughts filling my mind, in May this
year I joined five Nurses, four Doctors,
one Orthoptist and a medical student who
would be performing life-changing eye
surgeries on local Fijians. It was a great
lesson in what unwavering trust meant
as I saw this 11 person team at work.
The team, a joint partnership between
St Clair Uniting Church, Westmead,
Nepean and Lautoka hospitals, the
Methodist Church in Fiji and Rotumaand the Relief and Development Unit of
UnitingWorld, has visited Fiji for the last
four years to provide much needed surgery.
In May 2009, they successfully conducted
94 cataract operations.
When I saw six year old Ramakesh* (name
changed for security purposes) arrive in
the Lautoka hospital waiting room, I saw
a future in the balance.
trust
andseeBy Rob Lutton
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getting involvedDonate moneyUnitingWorld covers costs of the trip andsupports the team donating their time and skills
PartnerThis kind of engagement is the result of acongregation taking the Acts 1:8 ends of theearth call seriously and entering into anintentional partnership with UnitingWorld
Donate equipmentEye care equipment or suppliers are always needed
ServeThis team is formed by the lead Doctors fromtheir own hospital staff. However, UnitingWorldhas many opportunities for professionals to usetheir medical, IT or educational skills to build thecapacity of our partner churches
Go to www.unitingworld.org.au to see how you can get involved.
relief & development
Images on opposite page:
Dr Jeremy Smith, a leading Ophthalmologistand Uniting Church elder, operating onRamakeshs eye
The moment of truth. Ramakesh arrived backat the clinic and the patch was removed byOrthoptist, Maria. As the realisation that his sightwas restored sank in, the gratefulness in the eyes
of his mother and father broke all our hearts thesmiles said it all.
Images on this page:
Dr Smith talking to Ramakeshs mother beforethe operation
Mum (Mrs Prasad) and Ramakesh
Ramakesh happy at play. Because of theoperation, Ramakesh played, read and laughedin a way he had not done for a long time.
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PNG
The Safe Water for Rural Areas
project expanded in 2007- 2008 to
a further eight rural villages and
now provides safe drinking water
for around 5,500 people. The
success of this project in Milne
Bay has led to the establishment
of a second local team in the
Central province. In 2009 these
two teams will assist a further eight villages to
access safe drinking water with all future water projects including
a sanitation component.
The Church Partnership Program has gone from strength to strength
since its inception. UnitingWorlds Relief and Development unit and
our partner the United Church in Papua New Guinea took what
began as a one person development operation and made it into a
thriving Development Unit of 25 people. In January 2009 all 25 staff
of the Development Unit in Papua New Guinea came together for
the first time. Here the staff established contracts, a code of conduct
and annual activity plans for their work. UnitingWorld is excited to
see the progress our partner has made in community development.
Everything in Common
Our Everything in Common gifts
catalogue has provided many
people with a gift that makes
all the difference in the world.
Donations to date will provide:
200 goat herds and 500 single
goats in East TImor
200 books for the Jordan School in Zambia
157 eye assessments and glasses in Fiji
4 peace workshops and associated costs for Joy Balazo
Overall the catalogue has been a huge success raising just under
$105,000 for Relief and Development programs in Fiji, East
Timor, Zambia Papua New Guinea and West Timor.
project updates
UnitingWorlds Relief and Development water harvesting programsin Zimbabwe were significantly slowed down because of theinstability inside the country. With Morgan Tsvangirais riseto the role of Prime Minister, hopes have also risen thatprograms can recommence. UnitingWorld continuesto monitor the situation closely.
Below is a timeline of thedisintegration of events
in Zimbabwe.
UnitingWorld invites youto pray for the peopleof Zimbabwe.
1980Mugabe winsindependence
elections and
is named
Prime Minister.
1987Mugabe & Nkomomerged their parties
into Zanu-PF.
Mugabe became
Executive President.
1998Economic crisis and
riots occur.
2000Zanu-PF narrowlyfights off a challengefrom the opposition
led by Morgan
Tsvangirai.
2001Finance Minister warns of
serious food shortages as
most western donors cut
aid because of Mugabes
land seizure program.
2002Parliament passes a lawlimiting media freedom.Mugabe re-elected amid
accusations of election
fraud by the opposition
and foreign
UnitingWorld India office
In February UnitingWorld celebrated the rededication of our office
in Coimbatore, India. Bishops and key leaders from the Church of
South India and personnel from UnitingWorld represented the UCA
at this dedication.
Rev. Jacob Belly, a minister of the Church of South India, will
lead the team and will work with local staff, the leadership of
the Church of South India and the Church of North India and
UnitingWorld in Sydney.
Ron Reeson, a representative of the UCA at the service said All of
us gathered in Coimbatore that day knew that this marked a new
era in the relationship between the Uniting Church and the Church
of South India.
The occasion was marked by a group of young girls from families
devastated by the terrible tsunami of 2005 singing for the group.
These girls are now completing vocational training in Coimbatore,
supported by funding from UCA.
In Celebration of Water
When the taps were turned on in four Dalit (low caste) villages in
Vellore, South India it was an occasion for wild celebration.
Two taps, a header tank, a small pump house and a very
deep borehole were installed though a partnership between
AusAid and UnitingWorlds Relief and Development unit.
These are community taps, available to Christian and Hindu
alike. Womens groups in each place have been
given the responsibility for monitoring andcontrolling water use.
Australians know something about drought
and water restrictions but as Margaret
Reeson, who was present at the
celebrations observed Our women
do not have to spend hours each day
in seeking drinking water, walking
long distances to fill a single water
pot. We do not have to give our
children water that may carry
water-borne disease.
p
ach place have been
monitoring and
about drought
Margaret
the
men
ch day
ing
ate
r
Zimbabwe timeline
gc
A
n
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Mwandi OVC Project
Your generous donations have
allowed us to provide ongoing
support to our partner church,
the United Church of Zambia,
for their Orphans and
Vulnerable Children project
in Mwandi.
The project now provides:
Essential foods and vitamins to more than 220 children
per day, six days a week
Each month the project distributes 330 pieces of clothing
500 blankets were distributed in the colder months
Over 700 children have been given the opportunity to
undertake education and with the recent completion of
a sewing centre many more will gain vocational skills.
West Timor Income Generating Projects
The cattle fattening project in West Timor has provided an
opportunity for over 1120 people to transform their lives during
the three year span. There are currently 224 active loan clients
and between January and September 2008, a further 176 cattle
were purchased and disbursed in the Betun region.
Similarly the economic empowerment project has enabled many
to provide a better future for their family. Between January 2008
and July 2008 over 1040 small entrepreneurs received loans
which have indirectly impacted around 4,515 people. Since itsinception in 2006 the economic empowerment project has made
over 4200 loans and as of July 2008 the majority of active loan
clients were women. All loan clients have been able to save an
average of two months wage thanks to the project.
As a direct result of these projects many clients have been able
to increase their business size and income, send their children
to school, carry out work on their homes and establish second
businesses. These projects are now winding down and our
partner is developing ways to continue this success.
Fiji Emergency Appeal
In January this year Fiji was hit by the countrys worst flooding in
50 years with waters rising to as high as three metres. The floods
claimed the lives of 11 people and forced thousands of people to
evacuate their homes, leaving behind their livelihoods. The damage
bill is estimated to be more than US$43 million.
The poorest were hardest hit by the storms with essential services
and agriculture in rural areas destroyed. Many businesses and
services will take several months to recover.
Since the launch the appeal has raised over $30,000 and
we are working with our partners to see these funds used to
alleviate suffering.
Jordan School Appeal
The Jordan Community School is located in Zambia, which is strickenby HIV/AIDS. It is estimated that more than one in every seven adults
is living with HIV/AIDS in Zambia. Teachers and children either infected
or affected, lack psycho-social support, counselling services, adequate
nutrition and other basic needs.
To address this issue in 2008 the Relief and Development unit
launched an appeal to support the Jordan Community School.
UnitingWorld offers shelter and care and psychosocial support for the
students as well as a teachers allowance for the school. The Jordan
school has seven teachers and caters for 360 children from grades
one-seven. At present, there is almost no support being received
by the school.
The appeal has raised over $50,000 and
will enable these children to receive vital
support and education. Thank you to all
those who gave generously.
appeal updates
2003General strike is followed
by arrest and beating
of hundreds of people.
Tsvangirai is arrested twice in
a week of opposition protests
and is charged with treason.
2005Zanu-PF party wins two-thirdsof votes in parliamentary polls
but opposition party says
election was rigged against it
2008Opposition won parliamentary elections &Tsvangirai won first round of presidential poll.
Mr Mugabe wins presidential run-off electionand is sworn in after Mr Tsvangirai pulls out.
100 billion dollar banknote introduced as year-on-year inflation rate reaches 2m per cent.
Mugabe and Tsvangirai sign power-sharing deal.
Annual inflation rate hits new high of 231mper cent.
Water supplies cut off by government inresponse to rising cholera outbreak
2006Year-on-year inflation
exceeds 1000%. New
banknotes introduced.
2007All rallies and
demonstrations
banned for three
months
2009Morgan Tsvangirai
is sworn in as prime
minister after power sharing
agreement reached.
Zimbabwe business and public
servants paid in US dollars to
stem inflation.
Trading resumed at theZimbabwe Stock Exchange with
transactions only in US dollars.
Teachers agree to end a year
long strike after the government
promised to review salaries
.
FACT:The total amountof water on theearth is about 326million cubic miles.Of all this water,humans can useonly about threetenths of a percent.
relief & development
i
e
er sharing
d.
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Peacemaking programsUnitingWorld peace programs are run throughYoung Ambassadors for Peace (YAP), a programestablished by Joy Balazo. These programs striveto build a culture of peace and justicein communities in need of conflict resolution.
Young Ambassadors for Peace has centres in Indonesia, Sri
Lanka, India, Burma, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea and the
Solomon Islands. Each centre is supported by local staff who are
passionate about breeding peace in their communities and trained
to run effective peace building workshops.
YAP is voluntary in nature and uses training, networking and
action to build a culture of peace in communities. This occurs
through mediations which are generally seven -eight day intensive
live-in experiential workshops designed for participants to
recognise their potential. The workshops help people recognise
the layers of fear and mistrust that have blocked the communities
capacity to resolve the conflict. The transformation of the
individual is a key element as people re-discover themselves.
The workshops do not impose solutions but help communities
find their own ways of resolving conflict.
Young Ambassadors for Peace has been highly successful in
empowering people to create peace, resolve conflict and build
friendships across barriers of conflict and violence, paving theway for much needed development.
Donations over $2 to Young Ambassadors for Peace are
tax deducible.
peacemakingHela Region Unitesfor PeaceOn the 2nd of October, 2008 a long hoped forevent occurred as 32 warring tribes based in theSouthern Highlands of Papua New Guinea cametogether to sign permanent peace treaties. Thehistoric signing came after decades of war andconflict in the region gave way to lengthy peace
negotiations. By Hannah HoskinThe 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 peoples cultural,
religious and political differences then I believe peace is always
possible,.
On the day of the signing hundreds
of tribesmen marched shoulder
to shoulder through the village
of Tari. The sight of these once
warring tribes walking unified
brought hundreds of Tari villagers
out on the streets. Dignitaries and
the wider community witnessed
each tribe proclaim the new-found
peace and advocate for a joint approach
to develop the village, school and farms. This is an amazing
achievement given handshakes and even making eye contact
with an enemy was once unheard of.
Pulling up the roots of conflict in war-torn societies like the Southern
Highlands of PNG goes beyond simply downing weapons Joy
explains. Peace-building involves fostering trust and a culture of
peace. The peace workshops and mediations undertaken by these
once warring tribes helped the communities find their own ways
of resolving the conflict.
Now that peace has been established in the Hela region, developers
can finally begin work in stabilising, growing and assisting the area,
providing a much needed financial boost to PNG. Tourists are now
safe to travel to Tari and humanitarian aid agencies are restoring
the hospital and providing much needed medical assistance to the
community. It is through the work of YAP that the area is now safe
for this needed development.YAP negotiators will continue to work with the tribes on programs
to sustain peace in communities, while tribes will work together
to ensure prosperity for their region and their people.
t
peace a
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Working with Women in the Solomon Islands
Late last year a YAP workshop was conducted in Auki,Malaita Islands with 18 women from Malaita andGuadalcanal Islands. This was the first all femaleworkshop for the Solomon Islands and focused onre-building the damaged relationships between thetwo islands which was a result of conflict in 1999.
As the workshop progressed the fear and worry of these
two groups of women slowly melted away. Each day was an
opportunity to understand and rebuild the broken relationship
between the two groups.
The farewell demonstrated the success of the workshop with
each participant crafted a necklace to hang around the neck
of their newly found sisters.
Toward the end of last year YAP Solomon Islands was invited
to a youth rally organized by The United Church in the Solomon
Islands. Here the YAP staff engaged the youth on the work of
YAP, definitions of conflict and conflict mapping. It was very
successful with the youth contributing their ideas about conflict
and building.
Healing for Ambon
October last year saw a YAP workshop run for32 mostly Muslim men from villages in the area.
Violence still erupts occasionally, especially among young
people. The majority of the participants hold important positions
in their villages and can be influential proponents for peace.
The workshop brought the participants from enemy villages
together to discuss how they will bring peace to their villages. It
was inspiring to see true friendship developing between enemy
leaders. As a result of the workshop the participants committed
to end the violence in their communities.
YAP updates:
Working in the Conflict Zone; India and PakistanBy Ron Reeson
Joys Plans for 2009:
FEB112 YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku andAmbon, Indonesia workshop and village visits
MAR 22 28 YAP and Closing the GAP Jointplanning meeting
APR 16 22 YAP Bouganville, PNG workshop forMinisters and wives
MAY 22 31 YAP Burma Training of the Trainers andworkshop
JUN 15 19 Rotary World Peace SymposiumBirmingham England
JUN 22
26 Visits to European YAP funders:Council for World Mission, World Allianceof Reformed Churches, World Council
of Churches and UK Methodist Church
JUN 29 5 JUL YAP Philippines visit
JUL 22 27 YAP Bouganville, PNG workshopfor police force
JUL 29 4 AUG YAP Bouganville, PNG workshop for Wasaiarmed groups
AUG 21 31 YAP Training of the Trainers and Workshop,North East India
SEPT YAP Training of the Trainers and workshop,
Solomon Islands
0CT YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku,Indonesia workshop for Muslim villages
N0V YAP workshop Tari
DEC YAP and Closing the GAP Maluku, Indonesia
workshop for Rajahs
The people of North East India have lived with conflict for many
years. The area is agricultural and produces rice, tea and coffee. It is
densely populated and extremely cold in the mountains. Society here
is very unstable and the fear of war is constant so close to the border
with Pakistan.
Joy Balazo has been working with leaders of the Presbyterian
Church of India and in late 2008 ran a YAP workshop. The workshops
revealed that strikes, HIV/AIDS and alcohol were the key factors
causing conflict. Several plans were developed to begin working on
these issues.
Joy reflected I think the militancy in Manipur is the most disturbing.
The landlords (an underground movement against the government)
collect taxes, set prices, control with guns and exploit the people.
They encourage strikes to destabilise society and government. They
militate against peace. The peoples enemy is not another tribe. It is
their own people in the community.
At the end of the workshop Joy was rewarded by enthusiasm for
the program after initial skepticism. It was encouraging when then
they added you did not teach us what we know. You taught us
about ourselves.
peacemaking
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