THANK YOU for helping us reach the goal of $15,000 for FUM’s COVID-19 Solidarity Fund!!
The COVID-19 Solidarity Fund was established to enable FUM to answer the immediate needs of vulnerable communities, touched by FUM ministries, that are experiencing the economic and physical impacts of this pandemic. Because of the generosity of Friends, we are providing PPEs for the staff of Lugulu Friends Mission Hospital and distributing food to families living on Mt. Elgon and the southside of Belize City. Additionally, we sent funds to assist the outreach ministries of Turkana Friends Mission and Samburu Friends Mission. The challenges confronting these communities increased this year as they suffer country-wide COVID-19 restrictions, Samburu has endured large locust swarms, and Turkana is suffering from massive floods.
Because of your generosity, we have raised $16,140, exceeding our initial goal. These vulnerable communities continue to need our support. For this reason, we are setting a new goal to raise $25,000 for this fund. Oscar Mmbali, the pastor of Belize City Friends Church, says that delivering food to the poor and visiting the lonely in their isolation is what the Kingdom of God looks like (Matthew 25:34-36). If you would like to make a donation, go here.
Friends in Africa are also giving generously. Friends United Meeting's Africa Ministries Office is partnering with Friends Church Kenya and Friends World Committee for Consultation – Africa Section to provide medical, spiritual, and humanitarian support for communities impacted by the coronavirus. Through the COVID-19 Africa Collaboration Fund, African Friends have raised over 5 million Kenyan shillings ($5,000) to provide compassion and relief across Africa. John Muhanji, AMO Director, writes, “As we continue to fight the COVID-19 Pandemic across the globe, we are reminded as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ... Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you. — Ephesians 4:32. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Therefore, as a faith community we are guided by Paul's encouraging words to reach to our neighbors with a heart of compassion.”
You can read a joint letter from FUM-Africa, Friends Church Kenya, and FWCC-Africa Section here. Here’s how the Collaboration Funds have been spent so far:
1. Kaptama Health Center on Mt. Elgon - Sh.70,000 was allocated for health workers' protection against Covid 19. (Masks, Sanitizers, Gloves, Soap, Thermogun, plus a donation of an Oxygen Concentrator)
2. Nairobi Lockdown challenge - shs.150,000 (food and masks)
3. DRC Uvira Flooding challenge - shs.50,000
4. River Nzoia Victims (Matete and Navakholo Sub-county) - shs. 150,000 (Blankets, Soap, and Masks)
5. Media Sensitization as a church to the communities awareness - 50,000
Total Shillings—470,000
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