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Your help can make a
BIG
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October-December 2005
Welcome to the
latest issue of our newsletter. We hope we have been
able to reflect our enormous gratitude to all of our supporters for
helping us to continue to meet the needs of so many people every
year. Your support has certainly made a big difference in their
lives.
Even with all your hard work, we simply don’t have the resources to
support every family who turns to us for assistance – and we are
often their last resort. Every day, we have to make the difficult
choice as to what extent we can help and assist with what they
urgently need.
The global disasters the world has experienced in the past year
have, naturally, prompted a huge response from generous donors far
and wide. However, beyond the glare of high-profile media coverage
of events overseas, the
families whose need is desperate cannot and must not be forgotten. |
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The ECC… |
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is a group of Christians from all denominations who have
combined their talents and energy to help the poor, the
sick and the needy in Bahrain. (see note 1. below) |
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is NOT a church or a denomination, and as such does not
wish to deter it’s volunteers from fulfilling their
commitment to their host congregation or communion. No
one denomination dominates and it is expected that each
volunteer remains faithful to his/her own church. |
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volunteers do NOT conduct services or worship together.
However, all meetings start and end with a short prayer
for blessing and guidance, and a short reflection is
given by one of the priests, clergy or pastors of one of
the supporting congregations of Bahrain, or by one of
the volunteers. |
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does NOT wish to detract or take away from any social
programme of any church, congregation or organisation in
Bahrain. |
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is NOT connected with any other body. Bahrain law
requires that all organisations are registered and for
this reason only the ECC is registered as a charity
under the sponsorship of St. Christopher’s Cathedral.
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The primary aim of the ECC is to help in crisis
situations, and help is given to all, irrespective of
race or belief and uses every Dinar and every fil given
for charity goes to those in need. (see note 2. below). |
Note 1. The priests/clergy/pastors of all
denominations are invited to give spiritual guidance to the ECC and
are also invited to refer cases of need to the E.C.C.
Note 2. Sponsorship donors are solicited for special requirements
such as the hire of halls or equipment for fund-raising concerts, or
the costs of printing etc. A free-will offering is taken at each
meeting and the fund used for administrative needs.
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Our fundraising
Christmas Concert was a qualified success. Thanks to the
overwhelming generosity of the performers, who outnumbered the
audience considerably, we were able to raise approximately BD 1,500.
We'd like to thank all the people who donated their time and efforts
to help out. We'd especially like to thank all the performers who
gave us a great show and even made contributions themselves in many
cases.
This note is meant to thank everyone who was, in any way, involved
in planning, executing, and for your unending support. Thank you to
everyone who has supported the ECC in any way. You give us hope. You
strengthen our faith. Without your help we would be unable to be
reaching out to others…
We are also grateful for all the support we
have received from:-
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Urdu Language Congregation |
The Regency
Intercontinental |
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The Purple Headakes |
Telegu Christian
Congregation |
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St. Christopher's Cathedral |
Redhouse Marketing |
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Rajan Pandian and his Group |
Public Security |
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Printech |
Nepali Christian
Congregation |
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National Photo Services |
Mohamed Jalal Catering |
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Ministry of the Interior |
Ministry of Social Affairs |
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Mathias Middle East |
Mar Thomas Church |
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Little Flock Fellowship |
Kristina Bantugan & Dr.
Kalyan T Subrahmanyam |
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Kishore Babu |
& from the English Language
Congregation (NEC) |
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Guraz Wankandia |
Gulf Daily News |
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Gajira Electronics |
Full Gospel, Church of
Philadelphia |
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Divine Love - Youth Group |
Bahrain Danish Dairy |
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Bahrain Christian Fellowship |
AXA Insurance |
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American Mission Hospital |
Al Raja School |
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Al Khaja Establishment & Factories |
Al Hilal Group |
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Al Gosaibi Travel |
Al Ferns Cafe & Restaurant |
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Al Fanar Travels & Jet Airways |
Al Daw Musicals & Sunny |
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Thank you to.....
Bahrain
Christian Fellowship
Urdu Language Congregation
The Awali Interdenominational Church
Little Camelot
St. Christopher's Cathedral
Bahrain School
for monetary assistance |
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Guiding Principles
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All
Christians are welcome to join or share in it’s work
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No one
denomination dominates. It is expected that each
volunteer remains totally faithfully to his/her own
Church. |
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The ECC
seeks to supplement and extend existing Church social /
charitable activities, not replace or diminish them |
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It does
not preach ecumenism – it simply practices charity
ecumenically. |
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All
members are equal and functional positions confer no
status. A real sense of equality and unity is fostered |
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No work
of charity is excluded |
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Skills
and time are generously given and work is efficiently,
carefully and methodically planned and executed.
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The
dignity of the poor and needy is always protected |
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100% of
all monies donated in response to fund-raising
activities will be used to directly help the poor and
the needy. |
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A
volunteer’s commitment collection is taken at the end of
each meeting to cover the administrative expenses. |
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Sponsor-a-Child
School
helps children grow in confidence, gain life skills and find
work when they are older. And that benefits the whole
community. But without education, people become trapped in a
cycle of poverty, starvation and bad health. The ECC assists
with education in crisis situations.
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GCE Adv. Level |
Global Institute |
December to
February 2005 |
Fees |
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H K G |
Philippine School |
Aug 2005 to Mar
2006 |
Balance Fees |
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Meals on Wheels |
People are used to coping
with a lack of food, but sometimes it becomes a question
of survival. That’s when ECC steps in with provisions to
tide them in their time of need. |
Sickness comes in many
forms. Then there are human-made disasters caused by
road and work related accidents. And it’s usually poor
people that suffer most.
The team has visited 521 patients at Salmaniya Hospital
as follows:
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Canada |
1 |
Indonesia |
7 |
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Korea |
1 |
U.K. |
9 |
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Tunisia |
1 |
Thailand |
12 |
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Turkey |
1 |
Sri Lanka |
14 |
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Germany |
3 |
Nepal |
20 |
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USA |
3 |
Bangladesh |
97 |
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Ethiopia |
5 |
Philippines |
131 |
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France |
5 |
Pakistan |
158 |
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Bahrain |
6 |
India |
292 |
These patients
were reported to:
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their
respective embassies, |
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Nepali, Sri Lankan, Indonesian & Ethiopian communities,
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Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA),
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Discover Islam |
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Migrant Workers Group |
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and
the newspapers, if urgent attention was required. |
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Visitation |
Poverty is about lacking essentials: not just material
things like a reliable food supply, but less tangible
things too – such as basic amenities or hope. Visitation
addresses and takes account of these needs. |
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Month |
Details |
Amount |
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October |
Filipina |
Cancer patient |
150.00 |
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Sri Lankan |
Repatriation |
55.00 |
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Bangladeshi |
Repatriation |
200.000 |
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Sri Lankan |
House rent |
255.000 |
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November |
Pakistan |
Earthquake |
500.000 |
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Indian |
Medical Expense |
25.500 |
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Indian |
Medical Expense |
100.00 |
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Omani |
Mother & Child |
50.000 |
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Sri Lankan |
Repatriation |
60.000 |
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December |
Indian |
Cancer patient |
100.000 |
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Sri Lankan |
Accident Victim |
35.000 |
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Bahraini |
Post Surgery |
100.000 |
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Bahraini |
School Fees |
195.000 |
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Oct.-Dec. |
Various |
Food Provisions |
90.000 |
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1915.000 |
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Thank you
A big
thank you to the students of
Bahrain School
for donating hampers to unfortunate families during Eid
and Christmas.
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Charity Centre |
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Timings |
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Friday |
Saturday |
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03:00-05:00 pm |
10.00 am-12 Noon |
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Sparingly used clothing, footwear,
toys, books, household items may be left at the St. Christopher's
Cathedral office or with the caretaker. |
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Giving |
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donations make a world of difference to the ECC - and to the
people whom we support. You can give look into some of the
many other ways you can support us. And it's not just about
money: you can give to the ECC by way of your time, your
possessions, your talents and also by encouraging your
organization to support us. |
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Prayer |
We ask you -
and your church – to pray effectively for the poor, the sick
and needy. These are the people that really need your
prayers. |
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Volunteer |
Use
your time and talent to change the world.
It’s an exciting time in the ECC world of volunteering, as
network of volunteers across Bahrain help to communicate the
needs of the poor.
Contact us if you’ve got some time to spare, and would like
to know more about the range of opportunities that exist.
Volunteering with ECC is flexible and rewarding – enabling
you to use your time and talent to change the world around
you.
Bringing life in all its fullness to the poor, that’s what
ECC is all about. And we'd love you to be part of it too.
Your gifts, interests and relationships are unique to you,
and you’ll be excited by the impact you can have as an ECC
volunteer.
But with a full diary, have you got time to volunteer?
We know you’re busy. That’s why you decide on the level of
involvement you're comfortable with. There's no pressure to
do more than you have time for. And you can choose exactly
what you do - there are many different roles you can choose
from. You’ll be surprised at the difference your
contribution can make – however small it may seem to you.
If you are blessed with a particular talent but are unsure
if you have the time, please be aware that we like to be
flexible and work around your needs as much as possible.
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Information |
Many
of the people to have benefited are non Christians. If we
only give to Christians we’re not obeying God’s word – we
need to do good to all people.
You can find out more about how the ECC is working to
transform lives or if you want stay in touch, send us an
e-mail and we will include you on our mailing list.
For any enquiries you have about our work, if you are a
supporter or if you'd like to learn more, please contact us.
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The
Ecumenical Conference of Charity
P O Box 54193
Adliya
Kingdom of Bahrain
(Physical Address: St. Christopher’s Cathedral, Opposite
Police Fort, Manama)
Tel: 39440319, E-mail:
eccbahrain@yahoo.com
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