A great chance to get together with friends, family, colleagues, neighbours enjoy tea and cakes and raise money for International Aid Trust!
Choose a date that suits you in June.
Keep it low key with a few friends in your kitchen or invite the whole village to a tea party in the church hall, go outside and add some games and turn it into a garden party, the choice is yours. Whatever you decide, every penny you raise will help us support people living in great poverty around the world.
Click here for your free downloadable Afternoon Tea pack, including posters, planning ideas, cake recipes, stories from people your donations will help.
Dear Friends and Supporters of International Aid Trust.
As we celebrate Christmas and go forward into another year it is always good to look back at what God has done through our ministry during the last year.
Poor children rescued from the slums in India and West Africa and given an education and a reason to smile at our two schools in India and one in Sierra Leone. When you see where the conditions they came from and see the joy on their faces now it makes all so worthwhile.
By the time you get this many thousands of gift boxes will have been sorted and shipped to some of the poorest people in the world. Thousands of little parcels of love and kindness being given out by our volunteers in orphanages, hospitals, old people’s homes, poor remote villages and housebound invalids.
Containers of aid have been dispatched to hospitals and needy communities, saving lives and changing others for ever.
Most importantly the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been preached to untold thousands through our churches, outreach programs and ministry to prisoners who continue to be set free from their pasts and are looking to the future with hope instead of despair.
The true meaning of Christmas often gets lost in the commercialism, the shopping, the parties, the baking, and the wrapping of presents. But the most valuable gift of the season, the greatest gift of all time is that God sent us his own Son.
Almost three thousand years ago God spoke though His prophets, one of them is:
Isaiah Chp 9: 6
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called: Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
The gift of Jesus brings joy to everyone who receives him and the real purpose of Christmas should be to share this gift so the whole world will know the love of our Saviour.
Tinsel and gift wrapping last a short time, Christ’s love is a gift for eternity.
May God Bless you all for your support and prayers
Support us this Christmas by purchasing your Christmas cards from Gospel Cards. This lovely business sells Christian greetings cards and gifts online which can be purchased at a reasonable price. Not only that, every purchase supports their chosen Christian ministries! We are privileged to be one of their chosen ministries so make sure you mention ‘International Aid Trust’ when you place your order; https://gospelcardsetc.com/
Above is the link for our International Aid Trust tour of Israel in November 2019.
The information is self-explanatory in the main but if you have any questions pleased ask. If you know of anyone else that may be interested please forward this to them. We also have a supply of hard copies of the leaflet and booking form if required. We will be holding information meetings at a later date.
International Aid Trust has had a presence in the Ukraine since 1991 and the headquarters are situated in the town of Moltavilovka in the Fastov Region. From headquarters and warehouse facilities practical and pastoral support goes out to the Odessa, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, Rivne, Kyiv and also Kiev city. For over twenty years Pastor Pasha Ozerugie has been guiding our ministry and leads the full time senior staff of:
Pasha (Paul) Ozeruga National Director and his wife Irina who is responsible for family sponsorship and children’s camp welfare
Ukraine overview
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe bordered by Russia in the East, Belarus, Poland and Slovakia to the West, Hungary, Romania, Moldova and the Black Sea to the South and West. According to the 2015 census the population total is estimated at 44 million. Since 1993 the population has been declining by approximately 150,000 per year due mainly to a high mortality rate and a low birth rate compared to other European countries.
Ukraine is a Unitarian republic with its capital in Kiev. Ukrainian is the official language of the country although most of the population also speak Russian.
In June 1990 Ukraine declared itself independent of the former Soviet Union. Since independence Ukraine has experienced a turbulent political journey which has seen demonstrations and civil unrest culminating in two peaceful revolutions, Orange in 2004 and Euromaidan in 2014.
2014 also saw Russian troops enter the Crimea region and subsequently along with the self-proclaimed Republic of Crimea signed a treaty of accession in the Russian Federation. Supported by the United Nations the Kiev government have declared an intention to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Parts of Eastern Ukraine are also occupied by Russian sponsored separatists and more than one million former residents have been made refugees because of the war there.
Healthcare
On paper Ukraine’s healthcare system is state subsidised and freely available to all Ukrainian citizens and registered residents. However, it is not compulsory to be treated in a state-run hospital as a number of private medical complexes do exist nationwide. The public sector employs most healthcare professionals, with those working for private medical centres typically also retaining their state employment as they are mandated to provide care at public health facilities on a regular basis.
All of the country’s medical service providers and hospitals are subordinate to the Ministry of Health, which provides oversight and scrutiny of general medical practice as well as being responsible for the day-to-day administration of the healthcare system.
Education
According to the Ukrainian constitution, access to free education is granted to all citizens. Complete general secondary education is compulsory in the state schools which constitute the overwhelming majority. Free higher education in state and communal educational establishments is provided on a competitive basis. There are also a small number of accredited private secondary and higher education institutions. The literacy rate in the Ukraine is an estimated 99.4%.
International Aid Trust Ukraine
IAT began in Ukraine in 1991 in a very small way after a meeting at Kajerna Church with pastor Vladimire and Bernard Cocker. Since then our work has grown and now approximately 200 people (including full time and volunteer staff) carrying out the day to day administration and organisation. We also have a large number of extra volunteers who can be called upon to help in various situations as and when the needs arise such as aid delivery and distribution, shoe box events, outreach and conferences.
We can call on the members of hundreds of churches who are all part of the IAT family in Ukraine. The focus of the work and ministry has grown over time and is now carried out in many different regions of Ukraine. The main areas are: Odessa, Cherkassy, Chernihiv, Rivne, Kiev Region and also Kiev city. In these areas we are working with low-income people, orphans, disabled children, rehabilitation centres, prisons, former offenders and homes for elderly people. Five new churches have been established, two more are being built and 20 pastors are supported by IAT. In addition there are three rescued children centres and a House for elderly people “Fathers Hands” .
Prison Ministry
We have a very successful prison ministry led by our director Ruslan Sliusarenko who is also senior pastor of our three churches in the area.
The IAT prison ministry began in 2000 In the Ukraine by conducting gospel services in the South Prison №51. Regular church services are now held two or three times a week. Prison №51 is a place for those offenders who have committed serious crimes and multi offences.
Since we began this work thousands of prisoners have given their lives to Christ and we have complete freedom to preach the gospel, teach, and carry out outdoor baptism services within the prisons grounds. You could not imagine a closer or better relationship than the one we have with the most senior penitentiary staff here. IAT have received many awards in Ukraine but one of our most remarkable ones was given to Bishop Bernard Cocker in 2015, it was a special diploma for “Raising the Spirituality of Ukraine Prisons”. We also have a large number of former prisoners working with us in the ministry. Two outstanding examples of this are Sergie and Vladimir who are pastor and assistant pastor respectively of our Aids Hospital Ministry. The care and compassion they show to the patients goes well beyond the “extra mile”. It has to be seen to be believed.
Pastor Ruslan and Bernard with Church Team at Women’s Prison
IAT also run a women’s prison ministry at the Black Sea 74th prison. Our prison ministry is at the heart of IAT philosophy and looks to provide both spiritual and practical needs. We believe that everyone deserves a second chance. Many of the women enter prison for serious offences and some have children, under the age of four, with them or give birth while serving sentences. The prison receives no government funding for child care needs. IAT has set up a kindergarten and supports the children’s laundry department by providing washing and drying machines and good quality washing powder on a regular basis. We also provide clothing, footwear, toys and even small pets for the children. Local church ministers and volunteers provide Bible teaching and worship services while also arranging social outings for the children to the zoo, sea side, park and dedicated play areas to help improve the quality of life and the personal development of the children.
Women’s Prison Baptism Service
Odessa detention facility №21. This is a place where the criminals go while on remand awaiting sentence. IAT Ukraine works with women, minors, former policemen, political and life-term prisoners. Sometimes they can be help for years before trial. This building has a very dark history from the Communist days when untold numbers of Christians and political prisoners were tortured and executed there. Now it is a place where the gospel is preached and new lives begin.
Pastoral Care and FeedingProgramme
More than 50 very needy families receive financial assistance to help with the provision of food for children and elderly and disabled people. These families are sponsored by British people. In addition these families are registered on our churches volunteers’ list so that they are visited often and periodically we provide them with bedclothes, clothes, shoes, food, medical supplies and other items according to their needs. Every month food and medications are purchased and visits are made to families that have a very low standard of living.
Elderly Peoples Home
Our “Father’s Arms Home” provides care for 18 elderly ladies as part of our Christian Village Complex near Moltavilovka and is run by a director and nurses. The building was funded by an American man and wife and all the fittings and furniture came from the UK. It is a real refuge, an oasis where these elderly and sick are treated with the upmost kindness and made to feel truly welcome. Some have been rescued from dire circumstances where they have been alone and basically unwanted.
Children’s Summer Camps
We began our Christian holiday camps for poor and underprivileged children in 1994. Many of the children who have enjoyed the holidays have, as a result of their experience and exposure to Christian teaching, gone on to become pastors, evangelists, missionaries, hospital and prison visitors. In fact every aspect of Christian mission is covered by most of our former camp visitors. A new complex has been established in Mirgorod which provides a high standard of accommodation and facilities. IAT’s aim is to provide Christian holidays for up to 500 children per term.
We have supported over twenty units with various items from furniture and fittings to shoes, clothing and other necessary items.
Pastor Oleg Pinchuck has experienced considerable success from his outreach in a remote village near the River Dnieper. Oleg runs the first Drug and Alcohol Rehab that IAT opened in 1997, and now he also operates a second one that has a small farm where they grow vegetables and raise various animals for food such as sheep, goats, pigs, chickens and calves. He also has a large lake where fish are grown on and harvested.
We have huge recovery rates and as with former prisoners many former addicts go to be part of our various Christian ministries with some becoming pastors. .
Youth Outreach
Every year the churches organize a Youth Congress in Malin. At different times more than 5 million young people have attended the tent camp in order to glorify God together, listen to sermons, Christian songs and chat. IAT provides tents, mattresses, chairs, food and numerous outings and activities. Bernard has spoken to congregations of between 5,000 – 6,000 young people here.
Every year we organize a children’s summer camp in Mrgorod, Poltava region. Each year about 300 orphans, children from disadvantaged families, children with disabilities are able to receive respite care. We take care of these children and during these camps they receive sustainable meals. Each of these children receives clothes, shoes, toiletries and gifts. On a daily basis the children sing Christian songs, engage in Bible study, play games and take part in various competitions.
The success of these camps just denies even our greatest hopes! Lives are changed forever just through the love of Christ. So many times we meet well-adjusted young adult people who once came to us as very poor little children or orphans. It is wonderful to see the fruit.
Klehivka
Klehivka is a small village situated 18 km from Motovilovka. During the past 3 years International Aid Trust in Ukraine has works in partnership with the Church in Motovilovka and provides Christian outreach to children, youth and elderly people in this village. Now we are building a church here.
We began building the House of Prayer in Klehivka in summer 2016 and plan to open it spring 2017. It is situated approx. 50k south of Kiev towards the Odessa region.
House of Prayer in Klehivka under construction
Here we also have Summer camps organized for children as well as activities on Christian holidays. Children who visit the IAT club in this village take part in such holidays and prepare programs and Christian services. Many villagers come to listen and also take part in these activities and come to Christ through their children.
Children taking part
Over the next year we plan to arrange 2 more summer children’s camps and to finish the building of the Church. The aim of this project is to increase the building’s capacity to facilitate a worship hall for 100 people plus sufficient space to increase the participation in the Children’s Club. This will allow for a more effective project worker/children ratio and the opportunity to bring the Good News to potential future Evangelists from the village.
A further aim of this project is to develop two leisure complexes for the benefit of poor and disadvantaged village children. One idea is to purchase a plot of land in the village center quite close to the church and the second one near a lake also near to the church for adult use.
The House of Joy Children’s House
Established in 2008 The House of Joy Orphanage project has been run since 2012 under the guidance of Volodymyr Vovk. Since that time 50 children have been resident in the orphanage and during the past two years a number have been adopted in Ukraine and the US, and other teenagers have moved to family homes.
Early days at House of Joy
Each child has their own story to tell and it is the aim of the House of Joy to develop their full potential in an interesting and challenging way.
The daily routine for the children is based on Christian ethics and principles; personal hygiene; lifestyle behavior; respect for others and personal development.
Throughout the year many Christian events and celebrations are organized to ensure both the spiritual, emotional and physical development of the children. Our staff organise birthday parties and gifts for the children so that they feel loved and cared for. They also benefit from the provision of a playground and playing fields which ensure that physical development is also encouraged.
New Life Children’s Home
On the 28th of July 2012 New Life was founded by Mykola Bondar and his wife Olga. Mykola was the previous Director of House of Joy and had a vision to start another home for the older children. It is a lovely Christian atmosphere there with these young teenager are continuing their lives adjusting into adults. It is truly wonderful to see rescued children growing and thriving and it shows that children are better brought up in a Christian family.
Currently there are eleven children of different ages in the family. In addition to studying they attend different workshops, summer camps and with the support of their ‘parents’ learn new skills, including gardening, music and are also encouraged in their personal development and independence.
The ‘Bondar’ family regularly attends church services; the children sing in a choir and are actively involved in church life. This gives them the opportunity to hear about God, know Him and accept Him as their personal Savior. On this Christian journey they are encouraged and supported by both their ‘parents and the church.
‘New Hope’ rescued children’s centre in Dorogynka village.
At the end of 2010 we completed the reconstruction of the first floor of a derelict kindergarten in Dorogynka village, including installing a boiler room and heating system. Under the guidance of Serhii Synyavskiy and his own family a ‘family-type children’s centre’ was established. The official opening ceremony took place on the 31st of May 2011. Anatoliy Prysiazhnyuk, the head of regional executive administration, representatives of regional and local authorities, teachers and children from all family-type orphanages of Fastov district were present. Sasha Ozeruga and Bernard also spoke and thanked everyone for their support and help.
At the beginning four children were adopted by the family. Today number of children is seventeen. Sergie and Larysa take care of the children who refer to them as “mom” and “dad”.
In April of 2012 with financial assistance from the UK a wedding gown shop was opened in the nearby town of Fastov. With sewing machines provided by our UK office some of the young people have helped making dresses for brides and bridesmaids, cushions, shawls, embroidered towels and other items which are then sold in the shop.
Personal development is encouraged in all the children and they are taught to cook, clean as well as participate in sport and exercise. All the children attend school and church services in which they actively participate.
Every evening the family has a prayer time where children share their problems and needs and pray for each other.
The Fathers Hands project
In 2013 the “The Fathers Hands” project was founded by our church in Chervona Motovylivka and became home for 9 elderly women. The house which is located near the House of Prayer has become a refuge for homeless people many of whom have become Christians and been baptized.
Information about this house was spread to nearby villages and as a result the house became too small for the increased numbers. There was now a need for a larger house. Work started in 2010 and by the end of 2012 a new house for the elderly was opened to accommodate 20 people. The existing building was then used for more rescued children.
Residents of the house “Fathers Hands” have excellent facilities including comfortable living accommodation. Four nurses take care of elderly people there helping them to bath and dress. Two cooks are in charge of preparing the delicious and healthy food.
Recently our friends from Texas, US have built a veranda for the residents to rest in the open air. There is also a garden nearby where they can enjoy the fresh air and flowers in the spring and summer seasons.
Special attention is given to spiritual condition of our elderly friends. They attend services every Sunday if they can. Some of them have been baptized with others planning. There are prayers and Bible studies in the house every day. Every month elderly people from nearby villages are invited to meetings at Fathers Hands. The resident ladies share their testimonies about life with God and recite their own poems. This is followed by a special dinner with both residents and visitors.
Of course, it is difficult to change place of residence at this age but under the guidance of Leonid Veroviy, the director of the facility and all the staff, an environment of love and care for the lady residents has been created.
The AIDS Hospital/ Centre
For the people who are suffering from this dreadful disease IAT has brought both practical and pastoral help. This includes provision of beds, waterproof mattresses and other much needed items and consumables. We have also helped to create a garden area for the patients. Our pastoral teams visit often and we hold church services at the centre 4 times each week. We have seen so many give their lives to Jesus Christ here. Our teams also visit also visit some aids patients who are housebound but not full time hospital patients. At special times of the year such as Christmas we make a big effort to visit with gifts etc.
Chornie (Black Orpanage)
We have supported this very poor orphanage for more than 12 years. It is named after a village of the same name some 200 km distance north of Odessa.
New Jerusalem mission activities in October village
Our IAT New Jerusalem Mother Church in Odessa has church services at the New Jerusalem Skinia daughter church and the New Jerusalem daughter church in October village which is 100 km away from Odessa. In addition the Area of Life Project has activities were during the week we bring the children from the poorest families together where the Sunday school teachers work with them and we set a playground for them. At the same time we have an open-air evangelism for the adults every day. During the week we bring young people together for the fellowship and seminars at a youth camp. We invite non-Christians as well to tell them about the Good News.
Since 2009 International Aid Trust India has been instrumental in establishing 78 churches and 30 house groups in various states throughout the south of India. Initially pastors are appointed and they are supported by IAT India. A principal aim is to continue this process, particularly in areas where there are no established Christian communities or churches such as rural villages, tribal areas, urban slums and inner cities.
A central focus of the work in developing the pastor network is to provide regular theological training so that they may be more effective in their Christian ministry. Each month a Pastor’s Leadership Training seminar is held in Hyderabad. Instruction is provided in house and supplemented by visiting theologians. Currently 34 pastors are supported by IAT India. See appendix A for a detailed list of supported pastors. IAT India would also like to raise the support to the existing pastors. At the present time the financial support (3,500 rupees – £35 per month) is insufficient to cover daily family requirements and educational fees due to an increase in the cost of living. All IAT pastors have school going children.
In 2017IAT India also organised a series of 12 regional conferences in various states including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra. The average attendance at these conferences was in excess of 150 pastors. The number are now growing with an increasing need of unity in face of the growing persecution with the most recent conference in March 2018 being attended by over four hundred pastors.
Following on from the initial training provision for pastors IAT India established the ‘Living Word Theological College’ in 2016 in Hyderabad to continue the ministry training. The faculty is located in a rented two storied building with 6 accommodation rooms, two large halls and two kitchens. This provides the appropriate residential and teaching facilities for a mix of residential and day students. Tuition and accommodation is provided free of charge to the students by sponsorship from the UK. In June 2017 the first batch of 32 pastors completed their course and graduated from the college, of these 15 were residential students and 17 were day scholars.18 are now working under the IAT framework in various states and the remainder in their own respective villages.
The three year lease for the building ends in July because the owner has decided to sell up. We pay £200 per month but the asking price is high, about £150,000, so we are now actively looking for a replacement and more affordable building.
Because of the increasing persecution it is now more important than ever before to equip our pastors and evangelists before sending them out into a very hostile environment. Almost every day reports are coming in of pastors and their families being attacked, churches damaged and discrimination of varying degrees. One way this is being manifested is that pastors trying to rent houses or other properties are being refused once the landlord finds out that they are believers. Bishop Kota, our director was at the point of signing up for three properties when the offers were refused after his occupation was discovered.
The syllabus for the pastor’s course has been developed in-house and is not currently affiliated to any theological college, either in India or internationally. The association with an outside Bible College would not only be advantageous to the education of new pastors, but to the future impact of our ministry. The longer term aim is to train 50 more new pastors thus enabling the work of IAT India to cover a greater geographical area.
Your prayers, thoughts and support are very much appreciated.
International Aid Trust has had a presence in Sierra Leone since 2009 following a visit by Bishop Bernard Cocker the CEO and Founder. The headquarters of the organisation are situated in the town of Lungi. The work of International Aid Trust in Sierra Leone mainly revolves around evangelism, charity, predominantly free education and basic healthcare for the most deprived and underprivileged children and women in Lungi. Our Country Director is Reverend Michael Fofanah who leads a full-time staff of 21 members. These include: teachers, pastors and support staff. The wife of the Country Director is the Head teacher of International Aid Trust’s New Hope School. International Aid Trust continues to be a spiritual, moral, social and financial blessing to many deprived and desperately poor communities in Lungi and Sierra Leone at large.
EVANGELIZATION – NEW HOPE CHURCH
International Aid Trust’s New Hope Church continues to be a spiritual blessing to many communities in Lungi. Every year, new converts mostly from the Muslim faith are baptised and some marriages and union blessed, this is adding to the member of Christians which keep rising steadily. The work of the Lord is evident in their lives as we witness growing testimonies and transformations after receiving and accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour.
New Hope Church organises weekly visitations to members of the church families, supporting and praying for the sick in hospitals, spending time with poor families, orphans and physically challenged. These activities are strengthening the spiritual, moral, psychosocial life of vulnerable families and individuals.
EDUCATION – NEW HOPE SCHOOL
International Aid Trust Sierra Leone is doing the best we can to provide a predominantly free primary school education for 480 children in Lungi.
New Hope School of International Aid Trust Sierra Leone started as a thatched structure with fifteen school children in 2009. But it was on the verge of failing as an education and feeding project when it was saved by God working through International Aid Trust UK. After serious mismanagement issues were uncovered the current Country Director (Rev. Michael Fofanah) was appointed to work alongside his wife who was already employed as the school’s head mistress. The number of children has risen from an initial fourteen to the present 480 pupils who receive predominantly free primary education at the school. International Aid Trust has built a modern one story build that stand tall in the entire District of Port Loko as a sign of Christ’s love for the poor. The children of International Aid Trust New Hope School are very blessed; it is the only school that provides free school meals and free first aid medical care. The children of New Hope school have been outstanding in their ethical and academic performance.
SCHOOL CLINIC
The Clinic is a great blessing from our donors to International Aid Trust New Hope School. It is the only school that has a clinic in the entire District. It is a tremendous blessing not only for New Hope School but for the immediate community around the school as it is already complementing the efforts of the government of Sierra Leone in reducing the maternal and infant mortality rates in the country. The clinic caters for the immediate medical needs of the kids of New Hope school, the staff and members of our church congregation.
MIDWIFERY CLINIC
The organisation has deemed it fit to bring in the services of a midwife who gives advice and check-ups to pregnant women and lactating mothers in the community. International Aid Trust Sierra Leone has created the bridge or the gap between these pregnant women and nursing mothers since they are most times fearful of going to the hospital because of the cost, stigma and misconceptions they get from traditional birth attendants about receiving medical care from the hospital. The midwife educates pregnant women and lactating mothers about the dangers of giving birth at home and why they should always come to the clinic/hospital to seek medical attention. Common among the dangers are: retained placenta, convulsionS during child birth, development of high blood pressure, uncontrolled fevers, etc. The retained midwife of International Aid Trust Sierra Leone follows up on them after delivery to make sure that they follow necessary hygiene procedures, take all vaccines and gives them confidence in their roles as mothers. She also educates and counsels them on efficient childcare. Many lives have been saved through the International Aid Trust Midwifery Clinic.
SCHOOL FEEDING
International Aid Trust Sierra Leone continues to be a blessing to the children of New Hope School since 2009. The school feeding program has become an integral part of the diet of many children, especially the ones from the poorest homes and orphans who have increased in number as a result of the deadly Ebola virus disease that took the country by storm in 2014. As a matter of fact, it is the only proper meal for most of the children and it serves as a motivation for their continuous school attendance.
However, strong challenges are currently being faced by International Aid Trust Sierra Leone as a result of the sharp increase in food prices in the country.
FAMILY SPONSORSHIP PROGRAMME
International Aid Trust Sierra Leone, through its “Christian Compassion for a Hurting World”, provides spiritual, psycho social and monetary support to poor families and orphans in the Lungi communities via its Family Sponsorship Program. The Ministry/organisation continues to reach out to people most in need in our communities, expand the kingdom of God and win more souls for Christ. The Sponsorship Program is funded by compassionate Christians in the UK through International Aid Trust. These Christians have made the selfless commitment of providing monthly sums of money to impoverished, the physically challenged, amputees and orphans, and to those at the very bottom of the economic table in our communities. Today International Aid Trust Family Sponsorship program supports the Midwife and 24 poor families and orphans.
WATER WELL & SAFE DRINKING WATER PROJECT
International Aid Trust Sierra Leone set off to bring access to safe drinking water for over 100 families through the provision of 10 manually-dug wells in Lungi by the end of 2019. A lot of the villages International Aid Trust targeted never had a source of safe drinking water. However, due to financial constraints and the deadly Ebola scourge that followed in 2014, 3 water wells have been provided for these desperate communities.
The impacts of the water well project were enormous. More than 50 families already have access to safe drinking water. The reduction of waterborne illnesses was immediate in these families. Having seen all these positive impacts of the Water Well Project in the lives of these impoverished village communities, International Aid Trust Sierra Leone dearly wish to do more by expanding the scope of the project to reach more communities and families in Lungi, but we are constrained financially to carry out these projects.
RESCUE CHILDREN’S PROJECT
The International Aid Trust Rescued Children’s project to shelter orphans and vulnerable children is supported by International Aid Trust. A Water well that will support the homes has been dug and is blessing the community around it. The construction of the first of four homes started on the 2nd of June 2016, and we are trusting God for funding to complete it and start the other three buildings. The homes shall serve as a safe haven, for the orphan children orphaned by the deadly Ebola virus and also children from broken/poverty-stricken homes.
These vulnerable children face enormous challenges growing up without their parents. Some of the challenges like hunger, lack of shelter and clothing, lack of access to basic health care could prevent them from having a meaningful future and upbringing.
We are very grateful to God for His loving grace and through the financial support of our selfless donors.
DORCAS SEWING PROJECT
It has been proven in our rural setting that education and training are powerful tools against poverty and hunger, and especially for women’s empowerment in communities where women are marginalised and discriminated against.
Skilled/educated women are more likely to be healthier as a result of their ability to earn and plan their lives properly. Evidence in some rural communities have shown, that women who are empowered through formal education or skills are also more likely to ensure that their own children are educated, thus breaking the cycle of poverty, hunger and diseases. It is based on these findings that the International Aid Trust Sierra Leone envisaged the Dorcas Sewing Skills Training program to empower community women and open the doors of economic independence for them. International Aid Trust Sierra Leone has established two centers one at International Aid Trust New Hope Village and the second at Lokomasama a new out station explored by International Aid Trust. A total of 25 women have enrolled with two trainers. We are trusting God that the Dorcas project will continue to empower women in Lungi and Lokomasama. It is also our hope for resources for an expansion of the project to other communities in future.
Current International Aid Trust projects in Sierra Leone are as follows:
The Rescue Children’s Project, a home for orphans and street children is still under construction. When it shall finally be opened, it would accommodate a total number of 64 children. Estimated at £40,000 per building and we are working on a total number of 4 buildings. This amount takes the budget of erecting each building from foundation level to the final finishing.
The Country Director, Rev. Michael Fofanah and his wife, New Hope Head Mistress Sr Alice Fofanah
