It is hard to believe, but Christmas is just around the corner! As we prepare for our family celebrations, many of the people that Australian Mercy cares for will be having a much different sort of Christmas.
On November 1, 2013, the Mae-La refugee camp that we work in had rice rations cut by one third. This will increase cases of malnutrition and also increase the presence of diseases such as tuberculosis in the camp. Every year we try to give the children in the preschool, middle school and orphanage a Christmas Party. This year we are wanting to do a little more and expand to cover the 23 schools that Corina overseas. As in previous years, we want to raise funds for presents and a party atmosphere that includes food and games, but this year we also want to gift additional rations of rice to families connected to these three projects to help see them through the Christmas period.
For this Christmas Appeal, and after discussions with our project manager overseeing the Mae-La camp projects, we are wanting to raise:
· $1,700 to cover food for the 23 schools, including the orphanage,
· $3,200 to cover presents for 2115 students,
· $370 to cover special awards to teachers with over 5yrs service, and
· $1,000 to cover extra rice rations.
Your tax deductible donation will continue to help make a difference in the lives of the refugees.
May I also take this opportunity to wish you and your families a happy and blessed Christmas.
Donations can be made through our secure site – (the words Annual Christmas Appeal will self load into donation target field of the donation form.)
Your donation will go along way to help these kids have a great Christmas.
STOP PRESS
Of the $6,270 required for this appeal to date we have recieved $4,810 – we just need another $1460 to reach our target.
If we exceed our target then excess funds will be placed in the Mae -la Emergency Rice Appeal which will provide rice to families in the same sections of the camp during 2014.
