THE HEALING HAND/ The Newsletter of EMMS International
Health for Today, Hope for Tomorrow
FROM LIFE’S FIRST CRY TO FINAL BREATH
AUTUMN/WINTER 2016
2
Dear friend, Welcome to the second of our 175th anniversary editions of The Healing Hand. We continue to reflect on the work of EMMS International to bring health and hope “from life’s first cry, to final breath”. In this edition we focus on showing care for people until life’s final breath. Your support achieves this by training and providing more specialist healthcare workers and church volunteers. We can’t just talk about palliative care patients because care extends to whole families. Patients receive relief from physical, psychological and spiritual pain and families are supported to provide care, deal with grief and plan for the future. Your kindness stops sickness from driving families further into poverty and adds life to the days they have together. Your support means that for people in Malawi and India, care doesn’t stop when there isn’t a cure. We’re also introducing an exciting new opportunity to improve end-of-life care in Nepal. In summary, it is an expression of the biblical love that Paul wrote of: Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Thank you for showing such love. James M Wells, Chief Executive
3
CONTENTS 2 4 7 9 10 12 14 15 17 18 20 22
To final breath
Appeal: As Nepal rebuilds From flood to famine Sunday’s Child update
TriMalawi Challenge complete 175 years of health and hope The work of a palliative care team
My elective in Nepal 5 ways to give It’s not easy being green Supporter update
Dates for your diary
4
As Nepal Rebuilds It’s now 18 months since Nepal was devastated by two massive earthquakes. Yet, for many who were injured and for those who were very ill even before the earthquake, there is little hope of rebuilding their lives. Catherine Rawlinson-Watkins Director of Fundraising, EMMS International
I
n the poorest and most remote areas of Nepal, people with chronic illnesses like leprosy, cancer and spinal injuries are suffering in mind, body and spirit. Not only do they need medical care to deal with the physical effects of their illness, they also need comfort and spiritual care to live each day with fullness and dignity. This Christmas we’re inviting you to join us on a journey through Nepal’s valleys to bring hope and healing; so that those who are isolated and in pain might say, “I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
Nurse Manju is training to be the very first specialist palliative care nurse in Nepal. She says, “For me, serving God and serving the poor are one and the same. If I can relieve the suffering of others, then I do this with a glad heart.” One such person is Juna. Her life had been marred by poverty and tragedy. Ostracised by her family for her choice of husband, widowed at 33 years old and suffering from leprosy, Juna became known to Manju after being diagnosed with incurable cancer. Juna could have spent the rest
5
“
Juna could have spent the rest of her life thinking nobody cared for her and her two children.
6
of her life thinking nobody cared for her and her two children. Instead, she received the care she needed, and she and her children were supported by a local church. All this means that, despite her suffering, Juna says, “I have been blessed abundantly”. For the very first time, specialist care is extending to those who live beyond the reach of large cities like Kathmandu. Your support will bring people like Juna care, pain relief and friendship in their own home. Your support will go with Nurse Manju to equip more healthcare workers to provide care where there
isn’t a cure. It will empower local church volunteers to seek out those who are sick and show them the care and compassion they deserve. Advent Inspiration We ask you to join us on an Advent Journey for the poor and sick of Nepal, which we have included with this newsletter. Please share it with your church, family and friends. Visit www.emms.org/journey or call 0131 313 3828 to order your free resources.
STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS...STOP PRESS... At the time of going to print STV News had just confirmed they will be visiting our palliative care project in Nepal. The visit is due in November, with coverage across several days. This should feature the lovely Nurse Manju and partners from INF Nepal. Please see our website for the latest details and articles when they air (www.emms.org/stv). Please share these articles with friends and family and show them the kind of work that you support. It could inspire them to get involved. Please also pray for protection for the staff, volunteers and patients who may feature in this coverage.
7
FROM FLOOD TO FAMINE Thanks to your kindness EMMS has been able to respond to the food crisis affecting parts of Eastern and Southern Africa. Cathy Ratcliff Director of International Programmes, EMMS International Emergency food supplies and support for farmers to produce more food and protect their crops have been gratefully received across the worst affected parts of Malawi. Last year’s devastating floods followed by extended drought have crippled the country’s food supplies. Our partners in Blantyre are reporting that one third of their patients are suffering from complications caused by hunger. Your support is helping those who are most in danger from starvation; orphans, child-headed families, prisoners, people with life-limiting illnesses. People like Martin, whose story is below, have benefitted from your generosity. Martin is 72 years old. He depends on the harvest for his
8 Damaged grain stores will be replaced to protect crops. Vulnerable families are receiving emergency food.
livelihood and to feed his wife and four grandchildren. “The food crisis worries me as a parent. I know that I am failing to give the right amount of food to my grandchildren.” Martin has no choice, however. He harvested just seven bags of maize. Martin’s family were down to their final bags when they started to receive food from Mulanje Mission Hospital. Even this is just enough to provide the family with one life-saving meal a day. “I see a lot of suffering and malnutrition, and more in the future. My only hope is to see Mulanje Mission Hospital continue this good work.” Martin wants to feed his family himself and tells others that the drought they have experienced should not stop them from cultivating their fields. This state of emergency will not go away quickly and the UN estimates predict the food crisis continuing well into 2017.
There’s still time to respond and support healthcare workers who see the reality of this crisis in the lives of their patients. There are more malnourished children, more people with HIV getting sicker, more families choosing between caring for their loved ones and going in search of food. Please continue to pray for the people of Malawi and for those working tirelessly to care for them.
9
NEWS FROM GLORIA SUNDAY’S CHILD UPDATE
You may remember Gloria, a young girl with a love of netball, whose story we shared during the Sunday’s Child appeal. At the time of the appeal we reported that Gloria was struggling with a great deal of pain caused by cancer and was desperate to go home from hospital. Her smiling face appealed to us all and many generous people gave gifts to help Gloria and people like her. We are delighted to report that your support is giving Gloria the care she needs. She is doing well despite her continued battle with cancer. Her
pain is well controlled and her family is taking good care of her. She is still motivated and enjoys going to school. Your gifts are also providing specialist training for the medical assistant caring for her, so that children like Gloria get the care they need at home after being discharged from hospital. New accommodation has been completed at Mulanje Mission Hospital so that students and practitioners can do clinical placements to hone their skills and learn from the great example of care being shown by the hospital.
10
TRIMALAWI CHALLEN COMPLETE
Ian G Black Challenge Participant & Editor, Scottish Christian Broadcast
T
he exhausting journey was forgotten in a heartbeat as we gazed upon the stunning beauty set before us at Cape Maclear on Lake Malawi. Day 1: The Kayak We kayaked from the cape to Mumbo Island, a deserted tropical island, on a day of blistering heat, but equally blistering beauty. My team mate Gill and I were the only ones to capsize. On a day as hot as it was, we maintain that we meant to upturn! How beautifully cooling it was. Days 2 & 3: The Bike Rides We saddled up for 2 remarkable days of cycling through rural villages where we really experienced the warm heart of Africa. We covered some very undulating and challenging terrain and conquered the very steep ascent to the top of the Zomba Plateau at some 1500 metres.
11
NGE Days: 4 & 5 The Climb After a hearty breakfast, we began our hike to the top of Mount Mulanje, many of us wielding carved walking poles bought from traders at the foot of the slopes. The walk was intense and steep. The early stages were in shaded, wooded paths. By around 10am we were into the open with frequent stops for water and to apply more sunscreen. When we got to the top it truly was the most majestic of sights and that night we enjoyed the incredible night sky, free from light pollution, before our descent the next day. Challenge complete! We were glad to open some bubbly and celebrate our achievement. The Hospital Visit We visited Mulanje Mission Hospital to see the impact we were making through the life-saving work of EMMS International’s partners. We listened intently to a fascinating presentation from hospital director Dr Ruth Shakespeare. What they are achieving with a staff as skeleton as theirs is absolutely remarkable. It was very encouraging to hear how our sponsorship will improve healthcare
and ultimately save lives. We took part in a special Vision and Thanksgiving service with EMMS’ partners in Malawi including some extraordinary singing from a variety of choirs. This was a special treat for us all, followed by wonderful hospitality and some of the tastiest food we experienced all week. Afterwards, we are on the bus as we start our journey home. Final thoughts This adventure was incredible and one I will never, ever forget. Everyone I spoke with had their own challenge highlights. For myself it was experiencing something quite new. I had really never been to Africa. Seeing such startling beauty, tempered by witnessing heart-breaking inequality. Yet, I leave with a sense of optimism over the incredible opportunity there is to make a difference, as EMMS are doing right now.
Ready for the challenge? Join us in 2017 for Pedal&Pray, a Malawi cycle challenge for mind, body and spirit. More at www.emms.org/pedal.
12
175 years of
health & hope C
elebrations began in earnest earlier this year to mark 175 years of EMMS. They began with a prayer Vigil in Magdalen Chapel, once part of the Coogate Dispensary, EMMS’ early Edinburgh training facility. A reception at Edinburgh City Chambers gathered friends old and new around a stunning photographic display of current health projects. These images, along with some excerpts from our archive, were on display in Edinburgh’s Central Library throughout August. It has been a privilege to share EMMS’ anniversary story at conferences, in churches and at the Scottish Government Cross-Party Group on Malawi. There are still opportunities to join the celebrations on the Anniversary Weekend, details in Dates for Your Diary on page 22 and at www.emms.org/175.
13
14 14
THE WORK OF A PALLIATIVE CARE TEAM
A
nsari is 55 and belongs to a Muslim community in Fatehpur. He lives with his wife and 5 children, of whom 3 were born blind. Ansari is the only member of his family earning an income. While working as a shoemaker in Delhi to send money home, he picked up unhealthy habits such as chewing tobacco and smoking. Everything changed 2 years ago when he developed a small growth on his tongue that later led to pain and difficulty in swallowing. A biopsy revealed cancer. With no free health care in India, Ansari spent all his savings on treatment in two private clinics and underwent radiotherapy. Ansari could no longer work and had barely enough money to feed his family. He could no longer afford medical care and had to take basic over-the-counter pain medicines. As his condition worsened, he had difficulty speaking and swallowing. His neighbour told him of Broadwell
Christian Hospital, speaking highly of the hospital’s reputation. Ansari was immediately enrolled in the palliative care service and received morphine, antibiotics and other drugs, all free of cost. His family were very relieved that he was no longer suffering. They learned how to care for him and built a close relationship with hospital staff. The team shared the love of God and prayed with them often. Once stable, Ansari went home to be with his loving family. The palliative care team helped Ansari and his family to manage his distressing symptoms and give meaningful companionship. The team attended Ansari’s funeral, comforted the family and gave bereavement care. This high quality care is only available because of your generous support. Gifts to EMMS International’s palliative care work help people like Ansari and his family in their darkest days. Thank you for your compassion.
15
My Elective in Nepal Jodie-Hannah Barnes is studying medicine at the University of Sheffield. She shares a little of her elective experience in Tansen, Nepal.
T
ansen is described as a romantic medieval hill town, which sits on a hilltop above the Kali Gandaki River, 12 hours by road from Kathmandu, with occasional views of the majestic Annapurna mountain range. The hospital in Tansen plays a vital role both in health education and care. Poverty in rural Nepal means families cannot afford to ignore food that grows naturally around them. A local family picked
some mushrooms and took them home to eat. Unfortunately, all young mushrooms look much the same, and these mushrooms were poisonous. The family shared a spoonful each and all developed a brief gastroenteritis. However, one 17-year-old girl went into liver failure and, with no hope of recovery, the only option was to provide palliative care. In Nepali culture it’s seen as not right to tell someone they will die, or to talk about death. The family refused to let the doctors
16
tell the girl she was going to die. As a Christian, that’s something I find hard to think about, that someone might be denied the chance to think about what might happen after death. Sadly, in the same week 7 people died in Nepal from mushroom poisoning, and it’s similar every year as locals ignore public health warnings against picking mushrooms. Patients come from far and wide because of the hospital’s reputation. Unlike many of the other local hospitals, as a mission hospital, patients know there will be no unfair charges, expensive medications or unnecessary tests. Patients who are unable to afford their treatment receive help with food and bills and nobody is treated as a second class citizen. “You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your Godcreated identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
Tansen has made me consider my skills and career. The doctors weren’t working there because it gave them special status, better career progression or wages, but because they realised that from those to whom much is given, much is expected. With the immense privilege of a medical degree, we have a choice over how we use this - to benefit ourselves or others. Applications Open Grants of up to £1,000 are available for healthcare students wishing to do their electives overseas. The deadline for the next round of grants is 31st January 2017. Full details of the criteria and application forms are available from www.emms.org/seb
17
5
ways to give
Week after week your generosity improves healthcare for some of the world’s poorest people.
Here are some other ways you can support committed Christian healthcare workers in India, Malawi and Nepal.
1. 2.
Buy a Gift for Life – With Christmas just around the corner we all have someone on our list who is difficult to buy for. These life-saving gifts are a great way to show that you care. Find out more and order your gifts at www.emms.org/gift Save the Stamps – Postcards, Christmas cards and letters are lovely to receive. Collecting the stamps and sending them to us helps raise further funds. Why not set up a collection box in your church, school or office. More at www.emms.org/stamps
3. 4. 5.
Give as you shop, for free! – The internet takes a lot of the legwork out of shopping. It’s also a chance for you to make a gift at no extra cost to yourself. By registering at www.easyfundraising.org.uk and following the links to your favourite retailers, you can give as you shop. Wedding favours – If you are planning a big day for yourself or a family member, make the favours extra special by giving a life-saving gift on behalf of your guests. We can provide favour cards to help you share this with your loved ones on the day. www.emms.org/favours A lasting Legacy – Leaving a gift to EMMS International in your will gives some of the world’s poorest people an opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty and creates lasting change.
18
IT’S NOT EASY BEING GREEN? Cathy Ratcliff Director of International Programmes, EMMS International The environmental debate often seems as if it is lived out in national and local government debating chambers, that it is made up of international agreements and corporate policies, and that, for the rest of us, it is an opt-in issue. For the world’s poorest communities climate change is a life-threatening reality. It is not optional. We’ve seen this first-hand in the countries where we work. In Malawi, extremes of weather have caused a food crisis and led the country to declare a national state of emergency. 6.5 million people go to sleep not knowing where their next meal is coming from and this is expected to last well into 2017.
19
In India, the World Bank says climate change is expected to have major health impacts - increasing malnutrition and related health disorders such as child stunting - with the poor likely to be affected most severely. Child stunting is projected to increase by 35% by 2050 compared to a scenario without climate change. In Nepal, heavy rains are becoming more severe and each time they bring severe diarrhoea and an increased risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dengue. Unpredictable seasons have hampered the country’s ability to rebuild after the earthquake and keep people trapped in poverty. How can we work towards a healthier world while our planet gets sicker? At EMMS International we help partners to mitigate the impact of climate change. We take our role seriously, monitoring travel, print supply and our energy usage to reduce our own carbon footprint. This is tracked annually and is a key performance indicator reported to our board of trustees. There is also plenty we can do as individuals, including: • Switching to a green energy supplier. • Reducing our meat and dairy consumption – production is carbon intensive. • War on waste – don’t buy what you don’t need. • Recycle whatever you can. • Inspire others to act – your family, church and your local MP! It’s so important that we all stop seeing this as a personal inconvenience and do our part for those who bear the brunt of climate change.
20
Supporter Update
T
he summer of events was kicked off with the Great Women’s 10k run in Glasgow, followed by the Forth Rail Bridge Abseil, which saw five participants, including Stew McIntosh of Burntisland Church, the oldest abseiler of 2016, aged 81, taking part in his first abseil. ‘It turned out to be not as scary as I thought; biggest problem was getting under the railings on the drop!’ In total, almost £3000 was raised by the abseilers. September was a busy month with challengers taking part in Zip Slide the Clyde, Bike and Hike and the Arran Anniversary Bike Ride, which saw participants new and old cycle 55 miles round the picturesque, yet hilly, Isle of Arran, raising £3500 for our healthcare work. The wind and the rain only made some pedal faster, but a great day was had by all.
Summer Exhibitions Over the summer EMMS enjoyed meeting many supporters at exhibitions, including Keswick Convention, Bangor Worldwide Missionary Convention, Heart and Soul and Keswick in Motherwell. Thank you to all who visited our stall and stood with our 175 Friends, Manju, Cornelius, Sharon and Mphatso. Church Talks We’ve been happy to meet supporters at the following church talks: Mayfield Salisbury Parish Church, Tron Kirk, Moredun and Priestfield Churches in Edinburgh; Parkhead, St. Matthew’s and Irvine Churches of the Nazarene in Glasgow; Abbotshall Church and Erskine United Free Church in Fife. Please book a talk for your church by contacting James Petticrew, our church relationships manager james.petticrew@emms.org.
21
Your Event To see your fundraiser featured here, send a short update and picture to events@emms.org. Thank you.
22
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY NEW COLLEGE SEMINAR
8th November From Pioneer to Partner: Celebrating 175 years of Medical Missions, at New College, University of Edinburgh
‘JOURNEYS IN FAITH’ SEMINAR 20th November Christ Church, Morningside, Edinburgh
BIG BIRTHDAY BALL
26th November Join us to celebrate 175 years of health and hope and to support the continuing work of EMMS International
THANKSGIVING AND VISION SERVICE
27th November We have much to give thanks for and would love you to join us at Greyfriars Kirk. Jonathan Lamb of Keswick Ministries will be the main speaker
SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT EXHIBITION February 2017 Dates to be confirmed
PEDAL & PRAY
21st-30th July 2017 Join us on the 2017 Malawi cycle challenge for mind, body and spirit More info on all of our events can be found at www.emms.org/events
GIVING PAGE
23
Name Address
I wish to receive the annual Prayer Focus I wish to become an EMMS International Prayer Champion email I wish to make a single gift for the sum of £__________ to the work of EMMS International I enclose a cheque/postal order/charity voucher (payable to EMMS International) or please debit my VISA/Mastercard/Maestro/Delta/CAF Card using the details below. Name of card holder Card number Last three digits of security number (on reverse of card) Expiry Date / Start Date / Issue No (Maestro) I wish to make a regular gift of £__________ monthly/quarterly/semi-annually/ annually (please select) to the work of EMMS International Name of Account Holder: Account Number: Bank Name: Date within month 1st
Sort Code: 15th
|
Month to start
Boost your donation by 25p of Gift Aid for every £1 you donate. Gift Aid is reclaimed by the charity from the tax you pay for the current tax year. Your address is needed to identify you as a current UK tax payer. Yes, I want to Gift Aid my donation and any donations I make in the future or have made in the past 4 years to EMMS International.
|
I am a UK taxpayer and understand that if I pay less Income Tax and/or Capital Gains Tax in the current tax year than the amount of Gift Aid claimed on all my donations it is my responsibility to pay any difference.*
Date:
|
I no longer wish to receive The Healing Hand by post. In future, please send me The Healing Hand electronically (please give email above).
|
Pedal & Pray
Malawi Challenge 21st - 30th July 2017
RIDE Get a vision for God’s global mission
Join us for the latest Malawi event. A challenge in every sense. Mind, body and spirit. Sign up by 31st January 2017 to save ÂŁ50.
RESPOND
More details and sign-up at
Explore Malawi on this 480km challenge
REFLECT
www.emms.org/pedal
Provide compassionate healthcare
175 years
7 Washington Lane, Edinburgh, EH11 2HA Tel: 0131 313 3828 Email: info@emms.org
EMMS International is a charity registered in Scotland No SC032327. A company limited by guarantee. Registered in Scotland No SC224402.