MCC.
Ukraine Emergency Response
We are so thankful for the engagement and generosity many congregations in Alberta have already shown towards the crisis in Ukraine.
MCC will be responding to the crisis in Ukraine through its local partners. Russian military forces have invaded the country with missiles striking major cities and casualties continuing to grow. Your prayers and donations will help partners scale up their work providing relief and trauma healing for vulnerable and displaced people. “Ukraine is experiencing major upheaval, but our partners have supplies ready to help vulnerable and displaced people,” says Rebecca Hessenauer, MCC representative for Ukraine.
Donate today.
Journey of a Comforter: Destination
After they’re packed, wrapped and shipped, comforters arrive in their destination countries alongside other Material Resources. From April 2019 through March 2020, MCC sent 47,830 comforters to Ukraine, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DRPK), Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Haiti in shipments of humanitarian aid.
When a shipment arrives in such a place as Ouagadougo, Burkina Faso or Nikopol, Ukraine, large crews are often needed to help unload the shipping containers or trucks. Sometimes MCC partners receive help from government agencies for this process. A shipment usually includes not just comforters but also things like hygiene kits, relief kits, school kits and canned meat.
Comforters are often used creatively by recipients. For every person who uses one as a bed covering, another might wrap themselves in it while walking outside. A comforter might become a wall covering to provide extra insulation in winter, or even provide a similar function on a bedroom floor.
“The priority is to meet people’s physical needs first,” says Ruth, a Material Resources volunteer. “And I appreciate that it’s distributed by local partners who speak the language, who know the culture.” Linda, another volunteer, enjoys seeing the finished comforters and their beauty, knowing it’s a tangible way for her community to meet someone’s basic needs. “It’s so valuable for people to receive a gift like that when they’ve had to flee their country, or there’s been a disaster. It’s dear to my heart to help people, and this is one way to do that.”
To learn more about Material Resources in Alberta and how to help, contact Linda Dickinson at lindadickinson@mccab.ca or click here.
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A Prayer for Ukraine
CMU.
2022 Social Justice Fair hosted by Menno Simons College, Wednesday, March 9 from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM (CST). Take the opportunity to interact with community organizations, to learn about important causes and issues, and to find ways to be involved! Visit mscollege.ca for more information and to register for free.
CMU Campus Visit Day on March 29 or 30 – Potential students are invited to a half-day in-person experience. Tour the campus, visit a class, meet profs and current students, learn about financial aid opportunities, and enjoy a treat from folio café. Click here for more information.
CMU’s MA in Peacebuilding in Collaborative Development is a program bridging conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and international development studies intended for practitioners and working professionals. The application deadline for Fall 2022 classes is May 31. Click here for more information.