St Columba @ Botany Downs and the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand have launched the Rice Bowl Fund nationwide, to help support the people of Myanmar.
Myanmar Partnership Coordinator Angela Norton says that in the past six months, the fund has made a significant difference to the lives of people in Myanmar.
Some money has been put towards rebuilding villages in the Chin Hills that were devastated by wild fires earlier this year. Each home costs US$1300 to build but often shelters up to a dozen members of an extended family under that one roof.
The rebuilding is a long term project, Angela says, that needs long-term funding commitments.
“What they’ve lost is possibly only a straw or wood house. But they did lose everything they had.”
Other funding has gone to the Agape medical clinic (for which St Columba has previously raised funds for hospital beds) for a new ablutions block. Previously, the floor of the two-storey building that housed the maternity and post-surgery wards had no toilet or washing facilities.
Drip stations, used to rehydrate patients suffering from malaria, have also been funded.
As well as this humanitarian aid, some funding is designated for “mission gifts”, Angela says. “We want to bless them in carrying out their calling and ministry in their community”. For example, 14 motorbikes have been provided for pastors in remote areas so that they can better connect with people in their communities.
Other projects have a focus on long-term sustainability, such as the provision of water buffaloes that can return an income to families.
Few villages in Myanmar have a secondary school, so some congregations in these villages are looking to establish boarding houses, so that families in outlying areas can send their children to be educated.
Angela says the main focus of her role is to educate people in New Zealand about these needs. Her work is overseen by St Columba’s Myanmar Oversight Group, which manages the spending of money raised in conjunction with the Presbyterian Church of Myanmar.
Angela says she’s been contacted by a number of congregations around New Zealand enthusiastic about the idea of a mission partnership. “It’s really started to develop momentum.”
In July, Angela visited Christchurch and Timaru, speaking to presbyteries, local parishes and Association of Presbyterian Women groups about how they can engage in the Myanmar partnership.
“You don’t have to be a big church to engage in mission, or always travel to Myanmar. It can be just as simple as engaging in your own community.”
For example, the Timaru Presbyterian Parish has established a community garden group, which sells produce to members of the community, with any profit going to the Rice Bowl Fund. In addition, the church’s op shop has donated money for the drip stands mentioned above.
Angela is planning another trip to Myanmar late this year or early next year.
She says the change at St Columba has been noticeable since the two mission trips in February this year. “That passion has spread through our whole congregation. It’s just about showing people that it’s possible and that they can have a part to play.”
Angela says while those who went in February were expecting to horrified by the difficulties that people in Myanmar experience, they found their main impression was of people’s friendliness and the strength of the relationships that they established.
“People over there have so much to teach us. In some ways, we’re the ones that need their help.”
*Find out more about the Rice Bowl Fund at www.stcolumba.org.nz/rice-bowl-fund. You can contact Angela for more information or to sign up for the regular Mingalaba email newsletter at myanmar@stcolumba.org.nz
By Amanda Wells