THE POWER OF COMMUNITY
Thepowerofresilienceandgenerosity weresurpriseencountersasI,alongwith Lt-ColonelBrendaMurray,MajorSandra BuddenandMajorMichelleMercer,visitedthe BacongoVocationalTrainingCentreinCongo (Brazzaville) It’saschoolthatweprayfor, promoteandfinanciallysupportwithwomen acrossthecountry.
TheBacongoVocationalTrainingCentrehas threestreamsofeducation:tailoring,hairdressinganddecorating Inthepastfiveyears,this schoolhasbeenresponsibleforteachingand empoweringmorethan150women
Whatajoyitwastovisittwopastgraduates, HonorineandAblovy,whoaresisters
Aftergraduation,theyweregivennew sewingmachines aninitiativefundedby Canadians Withthishelp,theywereableto tailor,makeanincomeandfinallyopentheir owntailoringshop Bothsinglemothers,thisisa triumphfeat.
If you’d like to support the Bacongo Vocational Training Centre, visit SalvationArmy.ca/giftsofhope and give to “Vocational Training.”
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Honorine expressed how learning tailoring had changed her life “I can now take care of my family very well,” shetold us.
AndAblovy recounted how learning practical skills has made life easier for her and her daughter She is currently enrolled in decorating class, while also working at the shop. “If I stay home, I receive nothing,” she said “Here, I make an income”
Not only have these two women partnered to open their shop, but they are also passing on their skills to their sister. She is not able to attend the training school, so they are teaching her tailoring. A true testament to the power of community
As I left Congo (Brazzaville), I felt joy, humility, appreciation and love The words of the mayor at the graduation ceremony still ring in my ears: “The Salvation Army is changing the culture of our community!”
Major Donna Bladen
shop.
As the snow lightly falls and the Christmas lights pop up on every street, we become acutely aware that Christmas is just around the corner. The hustle and bustle of activities have commenced, and excitement is in the air.
Christmas is the time when workplaces, families and friends gather to celebrate the joyous season. We come together and support one another in community. Christmas carolling is a great way to bring community together, so every year my husband organizes a carol sing for our neighbours. Hearing the many voices blend in harmony is a beautiful display of community.
A sense of community can arise in different places and take on many forms. In this issue of Global Link, you will learn about a boys’ home in Bali, Indonesia, a vocational training program in Congo (Brazzaville) and a feeding program in Belize. Each story speaks of partnership, resilience, love, compassion and care. This is what community is meant to be.
As we prepare for this Christmas season, I want to extend my thanks to all who have financially supported the programs highlighted. Your gift has made a significant difference in the lives of individuals around the world and brought the true spirit of Christmas to life. If you are still looking for that special gift for a family member, friend or co-worker, visit SalvationArmy.ca/giftsofhope and give the gift that keeps on giving.
Sincerely,
Lt-Colonel Brenda Murray
Director of International Development
FORLIFE LEARNING SKILLS
Childhood is a time of endless possibility when wonder and dreams are
vastand boundless. But for many children and youth around the world, poverty and lack of access to education make it difficult to imaginewhat their futures may look like.
At The Salvation Army’s Bali Boy's Home, residents are changing that narrative. They are determined to dream hard and work even harder for it.
Since 2021, the Brighter Futures Children’s Sponsorship Program has been supporting children and youth through vocational and life-skills training.
By Major Heather Matondo
The areas of focus are based on the interests of the boys, with five life-skills classes now taking place at the home. These include tie-dyeing, culinary arts, agriculture, woodcraft, and screen printing and design. Not only are these classes entertaining, they are teaching the children and youth valuable life skills that can enable them to gain employment after leaving the home.
As their interests continue to grow as they take these classes, the boys are now enrolling in internet marketing and web development classes, which will teach them how to market their skills and products to start their own businesses.
Children’s sponsorship provides a spectrum of practical help, including the maintenance of our children’s homes, healthy meals, toys, recreational activities and educational support. But beyond the practical and immediate assistance, your support to children around the world helps mould dreams and a life beyond the homes.
Thank you for your support.
ONE AMONG MANY
By Kathy Nguyen
“I developed a fever and was coughing a lot,” says Catherine. “I bought some pills, but they didn’t work. Later, I was unable to eat anything.”
Did you know that more than 60 percent of Kenya’s population lives in remote areas, yet 80 percent of health-care facilities are in urban areas?
In villages where access to quality health-care services, medication and transportation remains scarce, health scares such as Catherine’s become far more life-threatening and fatal
That’s why The Salvation Army makes it a priority to ensure health care is accessible in the hardest-to-reach communities across the globe
For Catherine, The Salvation Army’s Mother and Child Health project was a lifeline
“I was struggling to breathe,” shesays. “I heard there was a medical outreach program at the Salvation Army church in Toroso and decided to go. I was immediately attended to.”
Upon arrival, the staff provided Catherine with antibiotics and transported her to a nearby hospital in their ambulance Fortunately, the quick medical attention relieved her of her fever
“I want to thank the staff for the free medical outreach,” shesays. “This project greatly helps the community and I am one among the many who were assisted Thank you ”
The Mother and Child Health project in Kenya continues to educate communities through health awareness programs, provides individuals and families with quality health-care services, and saves lives.
This wouldn’t be possible without your support. Your gifts help bring life-saving medical treatments, equipment and maternal health workshops to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
CONTINUING
TO SERVE IN UKRAINE
FThis Christmas, give individuals and families the gift of health and hope. Visit SalvationArmy.ca/giftsofhope and give to “Family Health” today.
By Kathy Nguyen
rom natural disasters to plagues and wars, The Salvation Army is ready to meet people at their point of need when tragedy strikes. This is possible because of caring Canadians, like you, who give generously to enable us to be vesselsof hope and change to people who need it most.
As the crisis in Ukraine carries on, The Salvation Army across eastern Europe continues to serve with financial support from Canadians. Because you care, The Salvation Army is giving practical support by:
• Providing food parcels, hygiene kits, vouchers for emergency aid, warm clothing and transportation to more than 2,000 displaced families seeking refuge in Poland.
• Providing supermarket vouchers, food and kitchen items, hygiene products and school supplies to more than 300 displaced families seeking refuge in Lithuania.
• Covering the expenses for the purchase, registration, insurance and fuel for four vehicles to be used in Ukraine, enabling the Army to travel safely and reach more people
• Helping displaced families in Bulgaria send their children to school by providing 1,000 children with new school supplies.
• Helping displaced families in Georgia send their children to school by providing 500 children with new school supplies.
The work is far from over, but The Salvation Army in Canada is committed to standing with our partners across eastern Europe Thank you for your support!
FEEDING YOUTH IN BELIZE
With inflation compounding a global food crisis, The Salvation Army is committed to keeping children and youth fed and nourished
In partnership with The Salvation Army in the Caribbean, we ’ re investing in children’s health and nutrition by financially supporting the Feeding Programme Centre in Belize This feeding centre is instrumental for the community, providing nutritious meals for more than 140 children after they’ve finished each school day
With support from our Brighter Futures sponsors, The Salvation Army in Canada and Bermuda funded the necessary renovations and repairs to provide adequate space for meal preparation and safe dining.
This included the painting of the dining area, new washroom facilities and handwashing stations, new utensil and cooking appliances, the installation of ceiling fans for good ventilation, and more space for additional seating.
It also included the installation of a television in the dining room. This, in combination with the additional space, means the room can now be used for multiple functions, such as community dinners and lectures, two more ways to foster positive community-building.
By Robyn Goodyear
No child should be going home hungry. With your sponsorship, we can support the health and food security of children and communities across the globe. Thank you!
