Episcopal Church
Copyright © 2003-2007 St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. All rights reserved.
Millenium Development
Goals
When Fr. Matt talked to Jim and me about starting an MDG Committee, I knew there was only one answer: YES. It was the only answer. How could I not do more about ending poverty in 2015? Having lived in the Philippines most of my life, I have seen poverty in many forms: whether it was in the faces of some 50,000 street children in Manila selling garlands of “sampaguita,” newspapers, or sticks of cigarettes, risking their lives as they weaved in and out of lines of vehicles that were waiting for the stop light to turn green. Whatever they earned, they used to feed the family members. Or a student in my university who had to borrow money just to be able to go to school that day; to stave off his hunger, he ate one hard candy for lunch; that was all he could afford. Or the thousands of families rendered homeless because the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo buried their homes in lava and lahar. These images remain so vivid in my heart and have moved me to do something more about making this world a better place to live in.
Seven years ago the heads of states and governments in the United Nations agreed on working to meet 8 goals:
1)
eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
eradicate extreme poverty and hunger2)achieve universal primary education
achieve universal primary education3)promote gender equality and empower women
promote gender equality and empower women4)reduce child mortality
reduce child mortality5)improve maternal health
improve maternal health6)combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases7)ensure environmental stability’
ensure environmental stability’8)develop a global partnership for development
develop a global partnership for developmentThe St. Tim’s MDG Committee has decided to focus on the following goals:
- Achieve universal primary education- Reducing child mortality- Improving maternal health- Developing a global partnership for developmentIn view of these, the following projects were proposed:
3.1 Library Book project: St. Timothy’s will raise funds for the book project as well as serve as a drop-off center for books to be donated to public schools in remote villages in the Philippines. Jim and I started this project last year, in coordination with contacts in the Philippines and in February 2007 successfully furnished two public schools with a set of 650 books each. It was suggested that we start a "book tree" (where suggested book titles will be provided and families can choose one or more to donate). Cheryl Olsen suggested a book shelf.
3.2 Advocacy work: Support for HR 2266, the U.S. Commitment to Global Child Survival Act which seeks to strengthen the U.S. Government's role in saving the lives of children and mothers in poor countries.
3.3 Explore possible partnerships with Africa - A trip to Tanzania in June 2008 was suggested by Fr. Matt. A visit to Bela could be included in this trip. Possible funding from the diocese can be explored. Other possible partnerships: Haiti (c/o Ginny), Uganda (Christ Church Bethany). Projects could take the form of helping build a church, training of teachers, providing funds for purchase and distribution of treated mosquito nets in Africa, etc.
3.4 As part of developing global partnerships for development, Bob Burian suggested that we explore appropriate "Low tech" technology for developing countries. He cited an article in the NY Times, dated September 11, that discussed this. Suggestions for websites where technical expertise can be shared with individuals/groups in developing countries were given, e.g., kiva.org, bidnetwork.org, ingchancesforchildren.com
We also proposed that St. Tim’s be a "ONE" Congregation. This means pledging to organize "ONE" Sunday and to achieve 3 of the 5 goals:
1. Feature the MDGs in a sermon or rector's forum
2. Organize an "Offering of Letters" and ask participants to sign the ONE Declaration
3. Use ONE resources in Christian education classes for youth and adults
4. Meet with Members of Congress to advocate for the MDGs
5. Collect an offering once a year for the MDG programs of Episcopal Relief and Development
We hope you will join us as we embark on being a "ONE" Congregation. Just sign up for any or all of the projects.
Elen Hinckley
