In April, Alongside Hope launched its new Resilience Fund in response to the devastating cuts to international aid by the U.S. and other governments. The fund was created to provide support for many of its partners and programs that have lost funding from other sources. Soon after the launch, a donor offered to anonymously match all donations made to the Resilience Fund by June 30, 2025, up to $250,000.

“I couldn’t believe the timing of the call,” said Carolyn Cummins, director of fundraising and supporter relations for Alongside Hope (formerly the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund). She was about to introduce the fund at the House of Bishops at their meeting in Niagara, Ont. “It was very exciting to be able to tell them about our donor’s incredible generosity.”

While a quarter of a million dollars is a larger gift than most supporters can make, the anonymous donor was quick to point out that every gift is important, regardless of size. “If we all give what we can, Jesus multiples it like the loaves and fishes.”

A program is underway with Village Health Works (VHW) in Burundi, a longtime partner of Alongside Hope. The USAID cuts resulted in a nearly $1 million shortfall in medication for HIV, tuberculous and malaria, including a $677,000 gap in treatments to prevent malnutrition in children. (VHW) is responding with an adaptive, locally driven solution to prevent a catastrophe, by launching DuhindukeNut, a locally run Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) production in Kigutu, Burundi. The supplement is a dense peanut butter-like product, made from peanuts, soy and dairy, and enriched with critical nutrients.

“Our goal is to build a community-owned, scalable production model that not only meets VHW’s internal demand but also creates jobs, supports local farmers, and lays the groundwork for national provision of RUTF,” VHW says in their submission to Alongside Hope.

“The name DuhindukeNut comes from the Kirundi word ‘Duhinduke,’ meaning ‘Let’s transform.’ It reflects our belief that solving malnutrition in Burundi requires a shift – from dependence on imported aid to locally owned, sustainable solutions. ‘Nut’ refers to the nutritional products at the heart of this initiative. The name captures both our purpose and our approach: transforming lives through food, community leadership and innovation.”

Click here to give online or by phone at 1-866-308-7973. Or you can mail a cheque to Alongside Hope, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4Y 3G2. Please indicate “Resilience Fund” in the memo.

The post Alongside Hope close to achieving fundraising goal before June 30 matching grant deadline appeared first on Perspective.

Acknowledging the mutual threat of climate change, the working group began by challenging local parishes to plant trees, while supporting tree planting in Uganda. This twinning relationship and the opportunity for local action caught the imagination of Anglicans here.  This year alone, 410 native species trees were planted in the diocese and over 23,000 trees in Uganda.

Sourced from local tree nurseries, red maples, black spruce, sugar maples and basswood seedlings were planted in the diocese. Through a generous donation from Christ Church Cathedral, we were able to distribute trees while encouraging recipients to donate funds in support of St. Jude Family Projects, a PWRDF partner in Uganda. We are extremely grateful to all who made donations, and to our parish contacts who facilitated the distribution and to all who planted trees in their gardens and neighbourhoods.

St. Jude Family Projects in Uganda distributed a variety of native and fruit-bearing species. Among the native trees are Faidherbia albida (Musita/Nsabya), known for its ability to improve soil fertility and provide shade and fodder; Markhamia lutea (Musambya), valued for timber, medicinal uses, and shade; Maesopsis eminii (Musizi), a fast-growing tree used for timber and soil improvement; and Albizia coriaria (Musisa), another important nitrogen-fixing species. Additionally, recipients requested and received fruit trees such as jackfruit, mango, avocado, guava, papaya, and banana.

By partnering with PWRDF/Alongside Hope these native trees will count towards the Communion Forest, a Lambeth Conference global initiative from 2022 dedicated to “renewing the life of the earth across the Anglican Communion and beyond” by forest protection, tree growing and ecosystem restoration.

The program was highlighted at St Stephen’s Church and the Alongside/PWRDF Meet Our Partners event in November.  Many thanks to St. Stephen’s for hosting, to their amazing cooking crew, Basic Kneads Bakery who donated the bread, and all who attended.

Walking alongside our partner in Uganda we have made a difference in our community and indeed the world. Thank you for inspiring hope for a sustainable future for all.

The post Branches of Hope project celebrates success — 24,000 trees planted in Uganda and Ottawa appeared first on Perspective.

The working group was hosting two people from Zimbabwean partner TSURO (Towards Sustainable Use of Resources Organization) Trust, and St. Stephen’s went all out preparing a wonderful meal that included Zimbabwean dishes. After dinner Roseline Mukonoweshuro and Farai Gumisai took the large group who attended the event on a slide-show tour of their numerous innovative agricultural projects in the Chimanimani mountains in the in Manicaland Province of Zimbabwe.

Due to climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation, people in their area are facing many challenges, including food insecurity. They are susceptible to weather events and natural disasters.

Gumisai described the devastating effects of a 2019 cyclone which caused flooding and landslides that destroyed the village, fields, orchards and washed all their crops away. Cyclones are more frequent now. “We must come together to mitigate the effects of climate change,” he said.

The TSURO Trust is working to improve conditions with project funded by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank and the Government of Canada, and supported by PWRDF that uses nature-based solutions to improve biodiversity and strengthen climate resilient livelihoods.

• Conservation agriculture techniques such as minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing soil cover, and maximizing crop diversity.
• Assisted natural regeneration and enrichment planting such as incorporating fruit trees, indigenous trees, and fodder crops into farmers’ fields and household areas in conjunction with wider landscape rehabilitation through tree planting and natural restoration processes.
• Improved water management including use of structures to control soil erosion, farm level water harvest technologies and water conveyance systems. This includes the construction of four solar-powered boreholes. Solar panels are mounted above a borehole well to provide the power needed for a pump to extract water. A narrow shaft drilled approximately 60-80 metres into the water table by a rig, and the water flows from a raised tank of 10,000 litres into pipes that supply water to households for domestic use and livestock watering.
• Improved livestock and range management such as community planned grazing, improved fodder crops and improved crop-livestock systems. This includes distribution of heifers to farmers.

A biodiverse landscape enables community members to build more resilient livelihoods.

• Use of nature-based solutions in agricultural production and improved marketing to enable higher income earnings.
• New or improved agro-ecosystem activities including non-timber forest products such as fruit, nuts and honey; and production and marketing of fuel-efficient stoves to foster resilient livelihoods. Two initiatives include fish ponds stocked with tilapia and demonstration sites teaching farmers how to grow mushrooms.

The post PWRDF unveils new name and welcomes partners from Zimbabwe appeared first on Perspective.

Restrictions on aid delivery and movement of people in Gaza have caused shortages of essential supplies, including food and medical care. Poor sanitary conditions have led to disease outbreaks, which have been increasing the need for medical services and straining medical staff. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, an estimated 40,000 Palestinians have died and 1.9 million have been displaced.

With this ongoing violence, displacement, supply shortages, and loss of livelihoods affecting communities in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Diocese of Jerusalem (which encompasses all of Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon) identified five of its pre-existing ministries that were well positioned to make a difference. In addition to supporting health services at Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, this project also enabled people in the West Bank to access healthcare at St. Luke’s Hospital in Nablus and Penman Clinic in Jenin, along with maintaining access to school for children at the National Kindergarten in Nablus and St. George’s School in East Jerusalem.

The project supported 1,502 at-risk families and successfully reduced mortality rates through early detection and intervention and provided quality education for 125 children.

Support of Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza has made it possible for medical staff to provide critical care to those in need. The Diocese of Jerusalem shares the story of Ahmed, 35, one of the many patients who was injured during an Israel Defence Force military operation in Gaza. Ahmed underwent urgent surgery at Al-Ahli Hospital, where the medical team made every effort to save his leg. Thanks to their expertise and dedication, the operation was a success, and Ahmed received the necessary physical therapy to recover. The hospital provided all treatment and care, free of charge.

Yaser, a father of five, struggled to provide for his family after losing his job due to the war. When his youngest son, Saed, fell ill with a severe respiratory condition, the family turned to St. Luke’s Hospital. The hospital provided Saed with necessary treatment, including medication and respiratory therapy, at no cost. Saed recovered, and Yaser, grateful for the hospital’s care, offered his time and skills to help with repairs and maintenance of the hospital building.

The National Kindergarten in Nablus provides early childhood education and care to local families. Despite the challenges posed by the war, the kindergarten has continued to operate, offering a safe environment for young children. Recently, the kindergarten welcomed Mustafa and Malak, four-year-old twins who needed a supportive and stimulating environment. With the help of the kindergarten, the twins have begun to thrive, and their family has expressed gratitude for the support and care they have received during this time.

Besides supporting the Diocese of Jerusalem, PWRDF has allocated $100,000 from its equity in the Canadian Foodgrains Bank to a food assistance project in Gaza, led by the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC). This project is a result of the Humanitarian Coalition’s fundraising campaign in the fall of 2023 and has already begun distributing essential food packages to those in need.

How you can help
Please continue to pray for the people affected by this conflict. You can also donate to PWRDF’s Gaza and West Bank Emergency Appeal found on our Give Today page. You can also donate by phone at 416-822-9083 (or leave a message toll-free at 1-866-308-7973 and PWRDF staff will return your call) or by mail. Send your cheque to PWRDF, 80 Hayden Street, 3rd Floor, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4Y 3G2. Please indicate “Gaza and West Bank” in the memo field.

 Photo and article courtesy of PWRDF.

The post PWRDF health care and education support benefitting people in Gaza and the West Bank appeared first on Perspective.

Branches of Hope is an “offshoot” of the Communion Forest, a global initiative to plant trees, as well as conserve, protect and restore ecosystems throughout the Anglican Communion, launched at the 2022 Lambeth Conference.

This work began in our diocese when the PWRDF Working Group accepted the challenge of its chair, the Ven. Patrick Stephens, to work toward Lambeth’s goal to “renew the life of the earth across the Anglican Communion and beyond.”

A generous donation from Christ Church Cathedral enabled the working group to purchase locally grown tree seedlings—red maple and black spruce—that they will distribute to individuals, families, parishes and community groups. Planting trees here in the diocese of Ottawa will improve the health of communities for years to come.

Branches of Hope also has an international goal in Uganda, where industrialization, wars and wetland destruction have contributed to flooding and soil degradation. Recipients of young trees here in the diocese are encouraged to donate $10 per seedling to support this important work.

PWRDF partner Josephine Kizza visited our diocesan Synod in 2023 and explained that she and her family have operated St. Jude Family Projects in Masaka since the 1980s. Today, recognized internationally, the farm attracts students from around the world who are learning the principles of soil conservation and restoration. Tree-planting is also part of the curriculum.

You don’t need to own land to receive a tree: trees make excellent gifts. A tree might mark an occasion like a birthday, the arrival of a grandchild, an anniversary or honour the life of a loved one. Some municipalities might also accept seedlings to plant in parks or other green spaces.

PWRDF has been responding to emergency situations and supporting development projects in Canada and around the world for more than 60 years.

To order a tree or trees please contact the Ven. Patrick Stephens (thereverendpatrickstephens@gmail.com) to indicate your preference for either maple or spruce seedling(s) and arrange for delivery.

Donations can be made directly to PWRDF

Stay informed and never miss a story – subscribe to the ADO online newspaper Perspective today.
Subscribe here.

The post Greening the diocese and supporting a PWRDF partner in Uganda appeared first on Perspective.

Subscribers will receive a daily email with a reflection from Dr. Keesmaat, “on what health, well-being and good living require of us in our lives and our relationships with one another, with creation and with God. As you will read, things begin to break down when human beings separate themselves from creation, exploiting it as a com-modity, or separate and exploit one another. In so doing, we separate ourselves from the Creator.”

Dr. Keesmaat will guide meditations and [offer] lessons in repair and restoration that are both profoundly ancient and current.”

The resource will also be available as a free download on the PWRDF website, so parishes may use it as a Bible study.

www.pwrdf.org/lent2024

The post PWRDF offers a new Lenten resource appeared first on Perspective.

The idea for this project began at Synod in 2022 when Bishop Shane Parker introduced those gathered to a global initiative from the Anglican Communion in response to the climate change crisis. The Communion Forest is intended as “a practical, spiritual, and symbolic response to the environmental crisis, and an act of Christian hope for the well-being of humanity and all God’s creation.” It encourages Anglicans across the world to plant trees and engage in forestation in ways that are appropriate to their own local context.

Archdeacon Patrick Stephens, chair of the diocesan PWRDF Working Group, told Crosstalk that it also happened that Josephine Kizza, executive director of longtime PWRDF partner St. Jude Family Projects was in Ottawa, met with the working group and attended a part of Synod. Part of the St. Jude work involves “planting trees, native species, sometimes fruit bearing trees, but sometimes trees that are for various reasons beneficial to the soil and the natural environment,” Stephens told Crosstalk. “We were really impressed and also affected by her story and the work that she does and the people she works with. And so we wanted to support that initiative and we decided that we also wanted to participate in the Communion Forest Initiative.”

Stephens suggested combining the local and international efforts, and the working group envisioned planting trees both here in the diocese and donating funds to St. Jude’s to plant trees in Uganda. They wanted to buy 500 seedlings for people across the diocese to plant as a part of the Branches of Hope project. They were just missing one vital ingredient — the money to buy the trees.

When she heard about their idea, Dean Beth Bretzlaff brought that obstacle to the parish council of Christ Church Cathedral, where the parish is enthusiastic about planting trees but short on space to plant until a project to improve its Queen Street entrance is completed. The council quickly and unanimously agreed to donate the $3,000 required to buy the trees to PWRDF to help other parishes, groups or individuals plant trees this spring.

“Everyone was supportive and thought it was a great idea,” Vicar’s Warden Catherine Morris told Crosstalk, adding that the Cathedral serves everyone in the diocese and the parish likes to strengthen connections to other parishes.

Morris thought of another way for the project to grow once the space at the Cathedral’s Queen Street entrance is ready for planting the microforest project they have in mind. “I thought it wouldn’t be neat, since … we’re everyone’s Cathedral if different churches could donate money and then put a tree in or a plant in, she explained. “When the time comes, we’ll invite other churches within the diocese to plant a tree. Then they can say this is St. Matthew’s tree, or this is the shrubbery of St. Aidan’s.”

The Cathedral’s project will focus on parishes, but Stephens underlined that the broader Branches of Hope project isn’t just for parishes. Any individual or group can plant a tree or trees. “We’re asking people to sign up at their local parish. They can ask their priest or ask me.” [Please email thereverendpatrickstephens@gmail.com or call 613-870-1440] The Working Group would like to have the list of names by Feb. 1, 2023, so that they can order the trees and distribute them in the spring.

Branches of Hope now has its own landing page on the PWRDF website. Now that the Cathedral has paid for the trees to be planted here in the diocese, donations can all go to planting trees in Uganda. The goal is to raise $5,000, so at least 500 trees can be planted there. You can also read more about Josephine Kizza’s work in Uganda.

Stephens said that the diocesan group will be in touch with the office overseeing the international Communion Forest initiative. “There’s a global map, so, we’ll have Ottawa on the map.”

The post Planting trees — here, there and everywhere appeared first on Perspective.

As a result of the increasingly dangerous situation across northern Gaza, and near the hospital, a number of medical staff, including the surgical team, were forced to make the difficult decision to evacuate. According to Sawsan Aranki-Batato, Programs Development Officer with the Diocese of Jerusalem, around 40 patients who were not able to evacuate currently remain in the hospital and are being cared for by nurses and other medical staff.

Money donated to PWRDF’s appeal will be available for the short-, medium and long-term needs, as the hospital and Diocese of Jerusalem determine. PWRDF is also participating in a joint response through the Anglican Alliance (including agencies in the U.S., Australia and the U.K.), which will work with the Diocese of Jerusalem to provide immediate relief in the coming months, along with recovery and reconstruction when that time comes.

The Al-Ahli Hospital had continued to operate despite the immense challenges and was one of the last functioning hospitals in the North of Gaza. In addition to a shortage of medical supplies, Al-Ahli is also almost out of fuel to run the generators that provide electricity. Now, it has been reduced to what is being described as a “first aid station” by Dr. Ghassan Abu, a British-Palestinian physician working there.

“It has been a living nightmare – leaving 500 wounded knowing that there’s nothing left for you to be able to do for them,” said Dr. Abu in a November 17 interview with Reuters. “It’s just the most heartbreaking thing I ever had to do.” After the supply of anaesthetics ran out and bombs were causing the building to shake, Dr. Abu and his team were forced to leave the hospital and make their way on foot to the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.

“We are deeply saddened by the increasingly urgent humanitarian situation in Gaza,” said PWRDF Executive Director, Will Postma. “We commend and pray for the Al-Ahli hospital staff who remain on site caring for patients in such a deeply trying context. We pray for the safety of all Al-Ahli staff including those who have had to flee.

“We are filled with enormous grief for what we are seeing in Gaza, for the tragedy that has also happened in Israel and for continued conflicts in so many other parts of the world.”

Please keep the people affected by the war in your prayers.

The post Gaza hospital partner closes to new patients appeared first on Perspective.

In the diocese of Ottawa, a donation to Branches of Hope results in a tree planted here and another in Uganda where PWRDF partner, Josephine Kizza, demonstrates and teaches agroecology—good and healthy farming practices. Branches of Hope offers an opportunity for all of us to engage in environmental “repair” through purchasing and planting trees in and around parishes of the diocese. These “forests” will differ from place to place: some trees may appear on private or church properties; others in forested areas; some in grasslands; and others in wetlands. The possibilities are endless.

Think creatively. Do you live in an apartment or condo? Why not give a seedling as a gift to a grandchild or to a couple as a wedding gift? Seedlings might also commemorate a graduation, anniversary or other special occasion.

And what of the seedlings that appeared at Synod? All four (including the one Terry Dillabough is holding in the picture) went home to parishes of the diocese. In the meantime, we are in the process of contacting all parishes so that orders may be placed and seedlings distributed in time for spring plantings.

For further information about Branches of Hope or to place an order: please contact the Ven. Patrick Stephens by email: thereverendpatrickstephens@gmail.com or by phone at 613-870-1440.

The post PWRDF launches “Branches of Hope” at Synod ’23 appeared first on Perspective.