by Claire MarkotanyosPosted on Posted in Nth Qld District

77 people, travelling up to 7 hours/ 620km from across NQ gathered to CELEBRATE: 

  • The addition of two more churches this year: Elliot Springs and Mackay; 
  • the ordination of Rev Kenneth Wilson (Townsville WMC) 
  • the recognition of 5 pastors who have served 25+ years: Rev Lindsay Enderby: Rev Joanne Enderby; Rev Vivyenne Manderson; Rev Hugh Cameron and Rev Stuart Hall. 
  • two more ministers in process of transfer; Pastor Charles Amani and Pastor Lweya Sadiki 
  • the increase of members to 204 (+11%), satisfying the requirement for Provisional District Status! 
  • The NQ District WMC Conference 
  • The NQ District Women’s WMC Conference 

Speakers included: 

  • Tammy Susnjara who challenged us in Developing Leadership Pathways; identifying, developing, empowering and releasing leaders over three night messages;  
  • N.S. Rev Rex Rigby who challenged us to decide who will call the shots in our lives, our ministries and our churches; 
  • D.S. Rev Stuart Hall who called us back to this “One Thing”, to KNOW Christ, personally, powerfully and persistently;  
  • John Steenhof, Lawyer, of The Human Rights Law Alliance law firm, who helped us to understand with greater clarity, what is happening in our nation, concerning freedom of thought, conscience and religion, a sobering reminder to be salt and light, while we are able. 

Ministries included: 

  • KIDS: Rachel Knobel, under a shady tarp, assisted by Jim & Helen Maher with puppets; they blessed our kids with Bible stories that demonstrated that God loves us and is powerful and fully able to care for us and conference with a great action song and their happy play. 
  • TEENS: Jonathan McClintock helped our teens to connect with God’s Word and each other through a variety of activities.  

These two ministries are vital in the family focus of our North Queensland District Conference! 
The Conference also welcome presentations from: 

  • NQ Church Planting Partners (previously Co-Labourers) who are supporting 4 churches; 
  • World Missions (via video), where Rev David Collins recognised the support of the Australian Churches, and in particular, of the Yeppoon WMC Missions team who visited in May/June this year;  
  • Kingsley College, who have seen an increase in NQ students, in both audit and credit. 

We were blessed to have two Congolese pastors from the Townsville WMC join us for the first time.  They are ministering to a growing population in Townsville, and are also seeking to support a growing number in Cairns meeting under Pastor Barry and Pastor Lorraine Currie’s oversight.  They were very encouraged by attending the District Conference.  

Rev Stuart Hall
DS NQ 

by Claire MarkotanyosPosted on Posted in WMCA

Harvesting Transformation through Mushrooms: A Story of Change

Meet CC-Mean, a woman in Cambodia who decided to invest in mushrooms through our Sister Community Development Program, better known as our Thera Metrey Mushroom Cultivation project. This is her story.

“I got married when I was 19. Since we got married, our income came from rice farming. During the break time from farming my husband use to leave the house to do cutting woods in the forest in another province far from home. He stayed in that province for about a month or so then would come back home for few days then he would leave us again to cut the forest.”

“There was a time when my husband was cheated by the employer and he came home without any money received as payment for his forest work. He also felt unsafe in that situation because his work was illegal. When my husband was not around it was so difficult for me some time, I felt afraid and unsafe alone with our children. I have 3 sons and 1 daughter. Son is 27-year-old, single, he is a military. Daughter is 24-year-old, got married, have 3 children. Son 20-year-old, single, he is a farmer. Youngest son is 16, study in grade 10.”

“When my husband was away from home, I felt so worried. I was afraid of his safety or that he might get sick of malaria due to cutting down trees.”

“I started my first mushroom house in January 2017. I decided to invest in growing mushroom. It was just like taking a big step for my family. Our family was so worried we might end up losing our money if mushroom production is not good. However, my mushroom production has been running well since we had our first harvest. I started my second mushroom house in mid-2018. Now I have two mushroom houses.”

“Growing mushrooms can earn fast money. Our family can rely on this income to pay for our loan. My husband has stopped going to work in the forest outside our village. The money we earned from mushroom, we have used to buy more land for rice farming. We also have paid for the cost of drilling our own well so we have water at home and for our mushroom. I paid for our house renovation, paid for my son’s educational expenses, and all our daily expenses are covered by our sales from mushroom. Our plan is to keep extending more mushroom houses.

“We are happier now than before because my whole family can live together, my husband can work at home and no need to go to the forest.”

“Through this mushroom trade, I have seen that my community has changed a lot, people in my village can have better family livelihood, even non-mushroom grower can also earn money from selling raw materials. There are now more shops and small businesses in my village because people here can afford to buy more things or goods or foodstuff for their families.”

“People in our area have recently started to come back home from other provinces because they can now have work in our community and can earn money while being at their homes.”

“My biggest hope on this mushroom growing is having a market to sell and I can have reliable and regular income.’’

by Claire MarkotanyosPosted on Posted in WMCA

Growth- In the Christian maturity and confidence of our students, and in the ministry of the College. 
The theme of growth in this edition of WesWords is a prompt to speak about the development in spiritual maturity that we see within the men and women who join Kingsley classes each week.
We have an awesome team of trainers who pray for, support, and speak into the lives of Kingsley College students. As our students complete their study, discuss what they are learning in class, and put into practice the skills they have learned- they are growing as Christian leaders.
We can praise the Lord for His work within the college.
Looking ahead to 2020, we are excited at the college by the prospect of further Kingsley College trainers being added to the team. As a result, we will see a growth in the number of students- and through prayer- spiritual growth in their lives.

Kingsley College 70th Anniversary
If you have not already, make sure that you watch the video celebrating 70 year of Kingsley College.
Go to kingsley.edu.au
The video has already been an encouragement to many churches, small groups and individuals. The interviews and testimonies give thanks to God for His Hand upon the college over 70 years- be encouraged by what God has done as you watch the video- and be praying for the future ministry of your college.

Kingsley College Update 2019
Each year the college mails out an edition of the Kingsley College Update (in addition to email news). Look out for this mailed supply of Updates for distribution within your local church.
Pastors and leaders- please include these Updates within your bulletin for your local church. Please make time within a Sunday service to pray for the work of the college, and to specifically ask that God would raise up further women and men for Christian ministry in 2020.

Graduations!
Each year we celebrate with many of our students a milestone in their lives as they complete an award. One of our recent graduates is Jazmine McClintock (Yeppoon).
Congratulations on completion of the Advanced Diploma Jazmine!
National conference in January 2020 will see more graduates receive their awards- and be encouraged to continue to follow God’s call on their lives.

Kevin Brown
College Principal

 

by Claire MarkotanyosPosted on Posted in Sth Qld District

On 3-4 October, Wesleyans from across the South Queensland District gathered at Hills Wesleyan in Brisbane for our 37thannual District Conference. The theme of the Conference was ‘Fresh Encounter’. We came to seek a fresh encounter with God, and to determine His direction for the South Queensland Wesleyan Methodist Church for 2020 and beyond.

Rev. Rex Rigby, National Superintendent and District Superintendent, South Queensland District, opened the Conference with a devotional on encountering God, based on the resurrection of Lazarus in John 11. Mrs Ruth Thomas, CEO of World Hope International (Australia), brought the Friday morning devotion on 2 Kings 6:1-7, about Elisha and his student prophets faithfully following God’s calling.

Rev. Dr Clint Ussher was our keynote speaker. Clint, originally from LifeChurch, Maryborough, is currently lead pastor of The Well Wesleyan Church in Christchurch, New Zealand. On Thursday night, Clint preached on the lies that hold us hostage, based on John 10:10. On Friday night, Clint preached on lunch … actually on the woman at the well in John 4, who had a life-changing encounter with Jesus, which the disciples missed because they were worried about lunch! Clint challenged us to open our eyes and see what the Father is doing, and get on board with that.

Delegates had opportunity to attend seminars and group discussions during Conference. Seminar topics included Preparing Your Church for Growth (Rev. Rob Simpson), Intuitive Wisdom in Leadership (Rev. Dr Clint Ussher), and Prayer (Warwick Stone). Themed group discussions were facilitated by Pastor Steve Van der Poel (small groups), Pastor Caleb and Grace Maple (youth) and Nathan and Bek Cruz (children’s ministries).

Rev. Dr Lex Akers, Assistant National Superintendent and District Superintendent, New South Wales District, chaired the business sessions. The District is doing well, with forty-three churches in total, plus new preaching points at Blackbutt and Home of Christ (Nambour). Oxley Samoan is a new work this Conference year. Sadly, Emmanuel Burmese, Waterford Samoan and Freedom Revival closed during the year. Our Multiplying Churches fundraising target is $20 000 for the Conference year, to be split $5 000 each for Hesed Grace and Home of Christ, and the remaining $10 000 to be for Divine Grace (Darwin) and their preaching point, Messiah Walkabirrimirri Fellowship (Ramingining, Arnhem Land).

Most of our office-bearers remain unchanged, with the exception of Robyn Knight (LifeChurch), who was elected as District Missions Co-ordinator. Congratulations Robyn!

From the Stationing Sheet, Axis, Logan and Nambour churches will welcome new pastors in 2020: Johnathan Schroder (Axis), David Grounds (Logan) and Scott Lucas (Nambour). Kilcoy, ThreeSixteen and Valley Tongan Churches are in the hands of the District Superintendent. Goombungee is in the hands of the Darling Downs-South Burnett Zone Supervisor.

Warwick and Cooloola have been reclassified as preaching points of Toowoomba and Gympie respectively. Toowoomba and LifeChurch have added Rev. Steve Simpson (Toowoomba) and Assistant Pastor Caleb Maple (Lifechurch) to their pastoral teams

In closing the Conference, we were privileged to witness the ordinations of Revs Ruth Liao (Hesed Grace), Mychel Farmer (LifeChurch), Scott Griffith (Gayndah), Scott Lucas (Nambour) and Jay Knight (Lifechurch). Rev. Steve Simpson (Toowoomba) was recognised as an ordained minister on transfer from another denomination, while Pastor Sunia Lea’aetalofo’ou (Wavell Heights Tongan) was recognised as a commissioned minister. Our congratulations and prayers are with these brothers and sisters and their families as they begin the new ministry adventures God has for them.

Thanks to Pastor Nathan Bell and the team at Hills Wesleyan for hosting the Conference, and to all Conference personnel for facilitating ‘Fresh Encounter’.

Respectfully submitted

Deb Kuss

Conference Reporter.

 

 

by Claire MarkotanyosPosted on Posted in WMCA

Imagine living in a small village on the Southeast coast of Africa. You work in the fields every day, and you have to walk 3 miles from your house to get clean drinking water. One day out of nowhere gusting winds and flash floods begin, and you have to climb up into a tree and stay there for days to survive. You pray the tree you are resting on does not fall like many trees around you. Once the storm calms, you go to where your house once stood, but all that is left is a pile of debris. You go to get water from the well you always used, and you learn from another local that people who were drinking from that well were getting sick and dying of cholera. You are trying to have hope, but everything seems hopeless. This story was one told by many when the World Hope International relief team landed in Mozambique.

In mid-March, Mozambique was hit by cyclone Idai, causing devastation for the people destroying their houses, fields, and livelihoods. World Hope International had the opportunity to partner with three other organizations, Amazon, Katadyn, and Airlink, to bring relief to the people in Mozambique. Without relief from organizations and people around the world, disasters like cyclone Idai would be even more ruinous.

The team of 6 from WHI were trained and ready to help fight against the aftermath effects of the cyclone. Airlink provided the air travel for the team, getting them to Beira, Mozambique. Katadyn and Amazon provided water filters that could be used to clean the water and protect survivors from the second crisis of a cholera outbreak. Together, these organizations were ready to equip Beira citizens with essentials such as clean water and food. The diversity of skills and partnerships came together to prepare the team for the relief tasks ahead.

The task was daunting and the first impressions of the storm left the team saddened by the devastation. Joseph Phillippe, who grew up internationally and acted as a translator speaking Portuguese, described what they saw when they first arrived in Beira. He said, “I have personally seen the devastation done by tornados here in the US- this looked like tornado damage times 100. Everywhere you looked, houses, buildings, infrastructure, vegetation, were completely destroyed.”

Without the different skills from the team members and the access to the water filters, the trip would not have been a successful one. Orai Lehman described the importance of the partnerships with Katadyn and Amazon who supplied the water filters, “Having those connections and those partnerships, gave an immediate resource that was available to help with one of the biggest needs, which was pure water.

Because in the case of a catastrophe like that, one of the greatest needs is to supply water, the cyclone destroys the existing water systems and contaminates even wells and that kind of thing. So immediately, there’s a huge danger of waterborne diseases, such as cholera.Having a resource like a connection with institutions that are able to supply the filters, gives just an immediate connection that was a great help in this case, as is in many other similar cases.”

Eric Jacobs, a retired fireman, was trained by World Hope to demonstrate to the villagers how to use the water filters. Eric believed they did not just provide water filters but also hope.He saw the hope in the resiliency of the people, noting, “they’ve always had what I saw was the ability to rebuild and start, new. As the days went on, you could see that life was coming back into the city and went from roads being blocked to the life of the city coming back. And one night, they had a big festival, and that was the first time that ever happened since the storm.”

The unique skills each individual brought to the team allowed for the trip to bring hopeto those who were in a hopeless situation. Partnerships are so important when it comes to providing relief after disasters.

Although it is important to go and be physically present in the recovery phase, not everyone can drop everything and fly to Mozambique.Mitchell Beattie, who went on the trip as a photographer and videographer, explained there are things anyone can do from home to be involved. Mitchell said, “finances are such a big thing. These real disaster relief and sustainability projects are happening everywhere. There are so many people that need to be reached. So finances are probably one of the big drivers. I think, sharing the awareness in terms of the stories that we’re bringing back. It could be as simple as clicking that share button on social media which somebody might get ahold of, and it kind of tugs at their heartstrings, and they connect with someone like world hope, and off you go.”

These partnerships made a difference in the lives of many, and the water filters distributed will continue to make a difference. Disastrous stories like the cyclone in Mozambique will continue to happen, but as long as there are resources and partnerships, there will always be hope.

by Claire MarkotanyosPosted on Posted in WMCA

Kingsley College- The 70thAnniversary of Equipping Men and Women for Ministry
2019 marks a milestone in the life of the college. We can celebrate God’s blessing and work within the life of the college over 70 years of training.

The vision of a Wesleyan Methodist Bible College in Australia led to the first classes under the leadership of Kingsley Ridgway in 1949. We can thank God that men and women are still receiving training with a Wesleyan ethos in 2019. Thanks be to God!

An excellent 30-minute film that captures just a few of the early stories of Kingsley College is available on the College website. Enjoy the video yourself, and then share it with your home group and church. Go to http://kingsley.edu.au/Click on “Watch Film.”

The annual Kingsley College Update will focus on the 70thAnniversary, with an Update in print (and pdf) available to all churches at District conference 2019.

Kingsley Community Training Centres
As a college, we connect in students to study at our two campuses (Mackenzie and Broadmeadows) and our training centres- in person and via web conference. Each week there are classes running that are providing excellent training that is both academically rigorous and practical. We have students who connect from overseas via web conference, as well as from across the country.
We are also able to offer training for international students who come to Australia on a student visa.
They are welcomed to the Broadmeadows campus for a full-time study program.
This is our Introduction to the Old Testament class at Townsville- with Lyndell Hall as trainer.

We Balance Both Spiritual Development and Ministry Formation
One subject running at the moment is an Advanced Diploma unit, Principles of Prayer. Our dual aim in all subjects is particularly evident in this one; that of encouraging the spiritual maturity of our students, while providing them with ministry training that will enable them to serve and lead well. This photo is of the Principles of Prayer class, with Susan Lee as trainer.
Please continue to pray for each Kingsley College student, asking that God will form and shape them into His image and equip them for service. Pray too that God will call many more women and men into study with the college- and then a lifetime of service for Him.

 

 

 

 

 

Kingsley College delivers training under the auspices of Unity College Australia RTO 6330 and CRICOS Code 02160A.

Kevin Brown

by Claire MarkotanyosPosted on Posted in A Word from Rev Rex

Prayer & surrender is part of the process of connecting us to God.

The feeling of isolation and loneliness are a byproduct of a fallen world.

We were never meant to be along, as God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Gen 2:18 ESV

When the fall happened, Adam and Eve hid and we have been hiding ever since. Genesis 3:8 (ESV)

What holds us back from coming to God? Fear. As Adam said, I was afraid Gen 3:10 ESV.

While there are many reasons that people give for what has led them to hide from God, I want to note just two, the first is fear and the second is the illusion that we can hide from God.

From the perspective of fear. There is the fear of punishment or the fear of rejection or the fear of being found out.  All of these may be wrapped up in the reality guilt.

The other point that I note here is the illusion that we could possible hide from God.Disobedience/sin is the chief course of fear.  Sometimes fear might just be the results of a misconception about God and his ways. The good news is that we don’t have a God with a big stick who is waiting for us when we step out of line.

The father of the prodigal Son, Luke 11, is the example of a loving God, not a God with a bit stick…

The heart of Jesus expressed in Matthew 23:37 (ESV) “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Another part of this is that God has provided a way for us to not just an awareness of his presence and love but the means to enter into the fullness of it.

Andrew Murray said, The precious blood of Christ has opened the way for the believer into God’s presence, and intimacy with Him is a deep, spiritual reality. He who knows the full power of the blood is brought so near that he can always live in the immediate presence of God and in the enjoyment of the unspeakable blessings attached to it.  * (Andrew Murray, Practice the presence of God, 164)

However, at times we try in a vain attempt to hid.

But then I turn to Psalms 139:7-10 (ESV)

Where shall I go from your Spirit?
Or where shall I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
If I take the wings of the morning
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me,
and your right hand shall hold me.

As I read these words I think of Jonah, who tried to run from God. The statement flashes before me that had been stated many times before, you can run but you cannot hide from God.

We might have been where Jonah had been and then in the dark moments of our running, we came to the end and prayed the prayer of Jonah.

“I called out to the Lord, out of my distress,
and he answered me;
out of the belly of Sheol I cried,
and you heard my voice.
Jonah 1:2 ESV

Or have we come to that place yet?

Then as he was rescued ending back on dry land we see those beautiful words of a second chance,  Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, Jonah 3:1 ESV.

I wonder if in some way, we have been hiding from God. That hiding might be holding out in some area of our life. Maybe hiding by being quiet about some aspect of our life that deep down we know is not pleasing to God.  We might have an issue that we are just not ready to talk about.  And in those issues, we have moved ourselves from the presence of God. Then we find ourselves crying out, God where are you? But in reality, it is God who has never stop calling out to us, like he said to Adam, where are you?

Can you hear those words from God calling out to you, where are you? You see God has not moved, he is not hiding from us.

Jeremiah 23:23-24 (NKJV) “Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord, “And not a God afar off? 24 Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord;

“Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.

Not only is God close by and not far from us. As Christians, as His children He is close to us and we are close to his heart.

Like to the old saying, he has our picture in his wallet.

Psalms 17:8 (ESV) Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings,

To have a depth in our praying requires a deep surrender to the will of God.  To hold both prayer and surrender together requires an awareness that God is close by, but deeper than that, He is all around us, God is omnipresence, he is everywhere, we can’t hide from Him. And from out of a heart that is surrendered to God, we need to open our eyes to the reality that not only is God close and everywhere, we are held in his loving hands

“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 ESV

Can we feel any closer to God, well I would answer yes, as  Psalms 31: 20 says,  You shall hide them in the secret place of Your presence.

I want to leave you with the words of one of my favorite hymns.

There is a place of quiet rest,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where sin cannot molest,
Near to the heart of God.

O Jesus, blest Redeemer,
Sent from the heart of God,
Hold us, who wait before Thee,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where we our Savior meet,
Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of full release,
Near to the heart of God,
A place where all is joy and peace,
Near to the heart of God.

by Cleland B McAfee

 

Blessings,

Rex Rigby

by Claire MarkotanyosPosted on Posted in WMCA

Congratulations to Some Kingsley Graduates
Every semester, more students graduate from our four awards. Three of those graduates were able to celebrate and be recognized for their achievement at the Pastor’s conference.
Congratulations Nathan Bell, Scott Lucas and Scott Griffith!
Two of our hard-working Kingsley Community Trainers, Gordon Kuss and Mal Moses, presented the awards and affirmed their support for these students.
For both Scott Lucas and Scott Griffith, this was an especially exciting achievement – the completion of their Graduate Certificate of Christian Ministry and Theology – the final award toward their ordination.
This was a milestone for these pastors, and an exciting moment for the college as we see students complete all expectations toward ordination.
If you see these three men (or other graduates) in your travels- please congratulate them!

Change of Staff at the Melbourne Campus
Many of you will have come to know and appreciate Paulini Torovugalei at the College office in Melbourne. Unfortunately for us, Paulini has moved back to Fiji for work. We wish Paulini God’s very best.
Gemma Brown was already working part-time at the college in the library and giving student support. She graciously stepped up to learn from Paulini and is now the administrative assistant at the Melbourne campus. Gemma has very big shoes to fill, but we are sure that she will be a blessing to the college students and trainers through her work.

 

 

 

by Claire MarkotanyosPosted on Posted in Sth Qld District

It has been a wonderful way to kick off our women’s ministry events this year with three outstanding Women Alive days here in the South Qld district! The days were held in Maryborough, Toowoomba and South Brisbane in an effort to spread our reach to the women all over our area.

Friends connected from far and wide, sharing fun, faith, food and fellowship! Powerful testimonies reminded us of God’s goodness through the good and the bad times of life. Thank you to all the churches and pastors/staff who helped promote the days to their congregations. Thanks you to Heather Hall and her team for organizing and running the Toowoomba day and to LifeChurch and ThreeSixteen for hosting us. Registrations are now open for our women’s RETREAT and we will have more information out to the churches soon. God bless you all!

Jade Griffith
Wesleyan Women South Qld District Coordinator

 

by Claire MarkotanyosPosted on Posted in WMCA

What does it mean to empower the vulnerable?

Building on the principle of “leaving no one behind” the UN General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in September 2015, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), stated at the Global Disability Summit in London, Summer 2018, that, “To realize the promise of the 2030 Agenda – and its core pledge to leave no one behind – it is essential that all peoples, particularly those facing discrimination and exclusion, have access and voice and can participate equally in every aspect of life.”

The SDGs specifically include and reference disability and persons with disabilities. “This is a matter of justice, and equal opportunity, as well as economic growth,” Steiner continued.

The 2030 Agenda declares that “People who are vulnerable must be empowered. Those whose needs are reflected in the Agenda include all children, youth, persons with disabilities (of whom more than 80 per cent live in poverty).”

At World Hope International (WHI), we believe that empowerment includes providing access to opportunity as well as reaffirming faith in the dignity and worth of every human person.

We believe that sometimes, empowerment looks like enabling: enabling those living with disabilities to develop fine motor skills so they can sit up, stand, walk, run, hold a pencil, write, command their place in society and not be left behind. 

Our Enable the Children (ETC) program in Sierra Leone is a multi-faceted project that provides home-based therapy for children living with disabilities in Freetown, promotes an understanding of disability issues within local communities and family units, and mobilizes support for people living with disability – a vulnerable group that actually consists of one billion people worldwide, or 15% of the world’s population, according to the World Bank.

The ETC program is directed by Anna Vines, a Physiotherapist from the UK who won a Point of Light Award from Prime Minister Theresa May and co-authored the Trauma Orthopaedics chapters in The Concise Guide to Physiotherapy – Volume 1: Assessment and Volume 2: Treatment by Tim Ainslie.

Every year, ETC celebrates not only the children in the program, but their families and caregivers as well, hosting a beach day outing in partnership with many other organizations and companies. This year, the event was held on February 16 and the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Gender, and Children’s Affairs; the President for the Sierra Leonean Union for Disability Issues; the Chairman for the Pastors Union in the east part of Freetown; the Chairman for the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities in Sierra Leone; and the President for the Union for the Blind in Sierra Leone all provided remarks that encouraged families and caregivers and emphasized seriously addressing the stigmatizing of or discriminating against people living with disabilities.

Click the graphic below to see 5 SDG Goals that disability is included in: 

At the Global Disability Summit last summer, Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed observed that women and girls living with disabilities suffer the “double discrimination” of sex and disability, and Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) pointed out that children with disabilities living through conflict or disaster also face a double disadvantage as, in addition to dangers of violence, hunger, or security, they have to deal with “lack of mobility because of shattered infrastructure, difficulty fleeing harm and the prejudices that keep them from accessing the urgent assistance they need.”

The time to work alongside communities and leaders to enable children with disabilities is now.

Moving forward, ETC is hoping to build rehabilitation services for children with disabilities in Freetown and across Sierra Leone. “We would like to empower families and communities to love and accept children with disabilities, helping them to achieve their full potential,” Anna Vines shared. “We would like to see community leaders advocating for the rights of children with disabilities and seeing them as a valuable part of the society.”

World Hope International