How to help?

I found it!

Many of you, no doubt, have been following the news of the terrible flooding in Rio. Being so far away, it is hard to know how to help other than to pray for those families who were affected. In connection to this, I had been looking for a charity who operated out of the UK but with strong links and experience with grassroots organisations back in Brazil. In my view, this is often the best way to insert financial support into a complex crisis like this.

The ABC trust are a UK based organisation who have been working exclusively in Brasil within the last ten years. Their Flood Appeal page says ‘ We are in touch with some local NGO’s and councils in the region and will be sending all of the money that we raise from this appeal out to help with their efforts.’ If you are considering giving financially with respect to the flooding, we would certainly commend ABS wholeheartedly.

ABC Trust’s regular projects are in three areas: Arts and Culture, Education, and Shelter and Care, and, unusually for a charity, their work is very well distributed across all of Brasil. They do a lot in the UK to raise funds. A recent venture was Gold Challenge, a sporting initiative linked to the Olympics.

Brazilian Parties – The Follow-Up

Let’s play the association game. Street kids – poverty and need, England – wealth and charity, Carmem Mackle – organiser and visionary, November in England – grey and miserable, friends – helpers and givers. Put that all in a box, shake it together and what do you have? An incredible Brazilian Party organised in Aid of My Father’s House and the Good Shepherd Project.

Ok, so it takes more than just shaking a box to put together a high quality fundraising event. For about 3 months, Carmem Mackle and Sue Hanley have been planning the evening which was held on November 14^th in York at the Gateway Centre and we were there on the final day to help put the icing on the cake. We were all rushed off our feet as we aimed for the best  – high quality food, unique decor, authentic Brazilian music and dancing, and to raise as much money as we could for the causes. The results are out: each charity will be awarded about £1000 which translated into Brazilian Real goes quite a long way. With those figures, we all left feeling like the effort put in was worth every minute!

I would like to do a quick plug about the a music group which were the highlight of the evening: Samba York. Made up of students from York’s university, this group have an impressive set list. They donated their fees for charity but they are an EXCELLENT option if you are ever organising a Brazilian party.

You can see some photos of the event here.

Brazilian Parties

Carmem Mackle is from Porto Alegre. She lives in York with her husband and two kids. She met Christ in England and is now discovering one of the ways God can use her as a Brazilian living in the UK: she organises parties to raise funds for charities in Brazil. The next party is set for November 14^th, 2009 in York. If you are around and would like to go, please let us know. It’s a moving ministry and its model can be replicated anywhere. Here is an account of how she came to organise these parties and the positive results that followed.

I have lived in England for about 14 years.  I have felt very guilty at times about enjoying financial security, safety and the luxuries you can have here – like a public tennis court! – whilst my fellow Brazilians were struggling to find something to eat. This wasn’t a nice way to feel, so I decided to do something about it!

I felt God has given me a burden for the poor, especially children who are in poverty and danger. He has also given me gifts I could use in the particular area of fundraising!

I am very fond of lively parties and dancing!  So the idea of Charitable Brazilian evenings came to mind!   We have now organised two of these evenings and the third is booked for November this year. The plan is to do at least two per year from now on.

The fruits of this work have been amazing. Here are a few examples:

–  We have raised a good amount of money!  But most of all awareness about the need for  continuing support,  love and prayers to these very needy young people in Brazil.

–  We could see how much the English were keen on letting go and enjoying themselves in a very latin way, the dance part of the parties were a joy! I truly believe we need more parties like these in this country!  We also try to organise them in Early spring and November when let’s be honest we need some cheering up here!

–  We were able to  share Brazilian culture and customs, through music, dance,  images and food, which were all enjoyed by the many guests from different  backgrounds who attended the parties;

–  There was so many friendships made between christians and non-christians  who were involved in helping before  and during the event and a great opportunity for us to share the love of God with our guests;

– The feedback has been very good and we have the full backing of our church for future events.