August News

IN THIS ISSUE: 1. I am a refugee. 2. It aint half half hot mum. 3. We need people 4. Thirsting for a better life 6. Trouble for Katya 6. How You can Support us

1. I AM A REFUGEE

I sat listening to a person who works with refugees. She told me something that sticks with me. She said “none of us are far away from experiencing the life of a refugee. We never know when we will have control of our lives taken away from us. By circumstances, such being in the wrong place at the wrong time, disaster, or war.”

To be a refugee is to be powerless. To have no control over where you will be next. No say. Imagine having your choices taken away. Imagine the desperation. Then reach out with compassion for those for whom such a thing has become a reality, through no fault of their own.

2. IT AINT HALF HOT MUM!

Last month we told you about the endless rain we experienced throughout the month of June. Well July has been the opposite. Beautiful cloudless days, with temperatures reaching 38 degrees (try that with humidity over 95%).

Perspiration takes on a whole new meaning. I think we used up all that water we got last month in extra showers.

None the less it has been a busy month with a number of teams visiting and containers being prepared and loaded for Kazakhstan, Cambodia (x2), China and Israel.

Sue is doing well, but faces some challenges with key processing staff leaving shortly (we are already very short staffed).

Phil has been busy with lots of talks and preparation for up coming trips. Next week he packs his bags for England for 3 weeks at a conference seeking to recruit more people. Please chat for many to have their hearts prompted to come.

3. DO YOU KNOW ANYONE WHO COULD COME?

We would like to ask your help with a special drive we are undertaking to find people to work with us. It is one of the most challenging times we have met in our team. It is also one of the most exciting, with incredible doors opening before us! We need 100 people:

…with WAREHOUSING SKILLS; warehouse managers, packers, forklift drivers, inventory managers, truck drivers.
…with HUMAN RESOURCES SKILLS; training and member care skills: teachers, care-givers, cooks/caterers, counsellors.
…with CONSTRUCTION SKILLS: landscapers, 'handyman' enthusiasts, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, engineers, architects, gardeners.
…with CAFÉ & MARKETPLACE skills: buyers, sellers, servers, baristas.
…with THEATRE skills: actors, producers, dancers.
…with DESIGN skills: people for set construction, theatre production.
…with COMMUNICATION skills: public speakers, grant writers, translators, layout specialists.
…with ADMINISTRATION skills: managers, systems analysts, book-keepers, PAs.
…with IT & COMPUTER SKILLS: web designers, IT developers, hardware / software gurus.

Are you interested or know of someone that might be? Email me and I will let you know the next step!

4. THIRSTING FOR A BETTER LIFE

Imagine walking across dirt roads, through ditches, and across fields, the sun scorching your skin as you seek clean drinking water. Sometimes your efforts are rewarded with the discovery of clean water, but too often you return home empty-handed.

This is a situation all too real for those in rural Kenya. The water crisis here disrupts social and economic activities throughout the country, and since the search for drinkable water often takes a lengthy amount of time, women are unable to pursue jobs or attend school. There is an unfair allocation of clean water, and those under the poverty line often suffer the worst from the continuous shortages brought on by waves of drought and pollution of water supplies.

From a container being loaded in August, our consignee in Kenya will receive goods from Crossroads to construct and furnish dormitories for orphans and other disadvantaged children where they will receive clean water and have a safe home in which to live. Medical equipment received will allow the local physicians to treat the community for dehydration as well as HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases prevalent in the area. Other items, such as computers and office equipment, will provide the means for a small office to function, facilitating programmes allowing families to start their own small businesses in an effort to end their poverty.

5. TROUBLE FOR KATYA

Katya thought she had left her troubles behind when she fled Russia four years ago.

Abandoning a life plagued by unemployment and struggles to feed and clothe her two children, she sought employment in Israel. Yet what she found was not that different from the hard life she knew at home. Instead of landing a steady job in Tel Aviv as she had boldly hoped, she remained unemployed, her language and weak skills training leaving her few options for work. Barely able to make ends meet, she sold most of her possessions just to be able to pay the rent on the tiny apartment she and her children share.

Katya’s situation is all too familiar for the many Russians and Ethiopians that migrate to Israel each year in hopes of finding a better life. Unfortunately, many leave poor situations in their home countries only to find themselves in worse circumstances once they reach Israel. Often with only a few personal items, and barely able to keep a roof over their heads, furniture and other basic items become luxuries they cannot afford.

Crossroads sends regular shipments to our consignee in Israel as it works to improve the quality of life of migrant workers in the country who find themselves struggling to make ends meet. We recently packed a shipment to meet these most basic needs for furniture and other fundamental items. Families will receive furniture as well as clothing, toys, and household items that they can use to make their homes more comfortable and colourful places to be amidst their difficult lives.

6. HOW YOU CAN HELP US

We do appreiciate you continued support. Details of how to do that are in the side bar.


PHIL & SUE