Week of Compassion and World Council of Churches |
|
On Saturday October 7, a 6.3-magnitude earthquake and several aftershocks shook Afghanistan, leaving at least 2400 killed and thousands injured. Week of Compassion is in contact with partners in the region, who are already planning to respond and assist communities in distress, providing winterization kits; food supplies, especially for children and pregnant and nursing mothers; home repair and reconstruction; and community resilience shelters. Our prayers are unending for those killed, injured, and mourning; and for the partners and communities who bring comfort and aid. |
As we pray fervently and look to respond to the recent quake in Afghanistan, we lift up the ongoing work of our partners in the area, including the programs for girls’ education, the focus of a recent visit by Executive Director Rev. Vy Nguyen and three Disciples colleagues. We are grateful for this poignant reflection from Rev. Brandon Johnson, Senior Minister of First Christian Church, Burbank CA. |
Travelogue: South Sudan
4/25/2023
the impact of healthcare on women and their communities
Recently, Executive Director Rev. Vy Nguyen, along with Week of Compassion supporter Bruce McCoy, joined ecumenical partners Lutheran Disaster Response for a week in South Sudan, seeing first-hand the ways women’s health care, community engagement, and intentional support can uplift and sustain whole communities. These travelogues and photos offer powerful insights from a remarkable visit, highlighting the life-saving programs of Week of Compassion partners serving vulnerable communities.
Education for Girls in Afghanistan
1/10/2023
finding what is possible in troubled times
In the midst of holiday cheer and the turn of year, devastating and difficult news from Afghanistan came to light last week. The Afghan Ministry of Economy has banned women from working in local and international humanitarian organizations. This follows news just days earlier that the Taliban government has again barred women from attending public and private universities (essentially, from pursuing any education beyond sixth grade).
Photo: ACT Alliance, Elisa Iannacone / DKH. Mozambique. On this International Women's Day, Week of Compassion celebrates the strength and resilience of women worldwide. Your gifts to Week of Compassion support development programs that empower women through education and opportunity. When women are empowered to grow crops, go to school, learn a trade, become entrepreneurs, and work together towards their goals, the whole community thrives through their success!
Supporting women’s empowerment is a mission priority for Week of Compassion, especially now. During the pandemic, many of these life-changing programs experienced significant setbacks. Investing in women is of urgent concern and will help communities around the world move forward from the challenges of this season.
From Guatemala to East Africa; from Haiti to Serbia; from Iraq to South America, and so many places in between, the work of empowering women is the work of compassion, and that work empowers whole communities to grow and plan for the future.
If you’d like to honor the women in your life today, consider making a gift to Week of Compassion and designating it to the Women’s Empowerment Fund. Now, more than ever, your investment in the lives and futures of women will have a lasting impact and change lives for generations to come. We are grateful for your continued support in helping women thrive around the world, around the year.
Supporting women’s empowerment is a mission priority for Week of Compassion, especially now. During the pandemic, many of these life-changing programs experienced significant setbacks. Investing in women is of urgent concern and will help communities around the world move forward from the challenges of this season.
From Guatemala to East Africa; from Haiti to Serbia; from Iraq to South America, and so many places in between, the work of empowering women is the work of compassion, and that work empowers whole communities to grow and plan for the future.
If you’d like to honor the women in your life today, consider making a gift to Week of Compassion and designating it to the Women’s Empowerment Fund. Now, more than ever, your investment in the lives and futures of women will have a lasting impact and change lives for generations to come. We are grateful for your continued support in helping women thrive around the world, around the year.
On a cold morning, a group of women sit sharing coffee and conversation together. Times have been tough, but as the women share their stories and challenges, an idea emerges. Inspired by their shared experience, and their common love of handmade crafts, they begin planning a project that will generate income for their families.
Imagine that you have to travel far from home in order to find work to support your family. You find a job in the city, and a place to stay, so that you can work and send money home to your loved ones. But then, a global pandemic shuts down the economy. There is no longer work, and you must leave the city to return home. It isn’t safe to travel- but the crowded city is unsafe as well, and you will have nowhere to stay since you are no longer working.
