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This week saw CMSI transfer the first wave of financial support to its partners, as part of the response to the coronavirus pandemic. In all, over £20,000 has been distributed across 12 Global Partners in seven countries, bringing much needed help to churches as they respond to the crisis on their own doorsteps.
CMSI launched its Covid-19 Response Appeal at the start of April when it became clear that the impact of the pandemic was going to be particularly severe for its partners and the communities they serve.
The money distributed to CMSI's partners this week included support for:
Food relief programmes in Shyogwe and Kibungo Dioceses, Rwanda and for refugee students at the Nuba Mountain Bible Institute in Cairo (Diocese of Egypt).
Water tanks and hand washing facilities for schools in Matana Diocese, Burundi.
Education and hand washing programmes in Gitega Diocese, Burundi.
Food packages and educational support for the Kayole community in Nairobi (UDP).
Medical supplies for people with disabilities in Nepal (SD Church).
Logistical support for PPE distribution to rural hospitals in Nepal (HDCS).
Shelter, food assistance and counselling for those made homeless by flooding in Bukavu Diocese, DR Congo.
Training and support for Covid-19 preparations at a clinic in Maridi Diocese, South Sudan.
Support for mask-sewing initiatives in Maridi and in Goma Diocese and North Kivu Diocese (both DR Congo).
As CMSI's Mission Director, Jenny Smyth explains, the initial support for the appeal has been very encouraging, but there's much more that can still be done.
We are so thankful for every donation that we have received towards this appeal. We are especially grateful for a generous grant of €10,000 from the Church Of Ireland Bishops' Appeal. Thanks to this grant and to the generosity of churches and individuals throughout Ireland, our partners are now getting to work to stop the spread, support the vulnerable and relieve suffering.
This is Church working together, to bring hope and help. We want to continue standing with our partners though our prayers and our generosity. The requests and needs of our partners are vast. We want to encourage more people to support them at this time. The more we give, the more they can do.
Dr. Ferran Glenfield is Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh and is a member of the Church Of Ireland Council for Mission. Speaking last week about CMSI's response to the Covid pandemic, Bishop Ferran commented:
The global Church has been greatly impacted by the crisis. CMSI works in partnership with sister churches in some of the poorest places on earth. Can I invite you to support CMSI's Covid-19 Appeal which will make a huge difference to some of the most vulnerable people in the world? We are all in this together, so please give generously as resources will be needed in the short and long term to put things right in Jesus' name.
CMSI works closely with 20 Global Partners across nine different countries Africa and South Asia. These partners are all local expressions of the Church, engaging in life-changing, holistic mission. Given the long-term nature of the relationship with these partners, CMSI and link churches throughout Ireland are able to respond quickly, directly and personally to its partners.
Money donated to the CMSI Covid-19 Response Appeal will ensure that the Church is supported at the centre of this crisis - enabling God's people to share His help and His hope with those who most need them.
