Thursday, March 29, 2012

Lumiere Charity remembers Minister Helen Mboro, SOS Children's Villages and all in Sudan



Dear Readers,

Lumiere Charity remembers Minister Helen Mboro as she prepares to welcome the children, for all at SOS Children's VIllages and for all in Sudan, especially the children. It is said in Africa and elsewhere that it takes a village, a community to bring up a child. The blessing in this wonderful century of ours is that media and technology connect us as global village. So each child in each country is a member of our village.

 A lit candle has been burning as symbol of our thoughts and prayers for all in Sudan. In the spirit of Lumiere, if there is any way in which you can help, please extend a helping hand.

Deadline; 8th April 2012 Thousands of vulnerable children in desperate need of aid

SOS Children's Villlages operates over 540 Children's Villages worldwide, including Sudan and South Sudan, where their Emergency Rescue Centres are preparing to care for unaccompanied children.

Lumiere Charity is extremely concerned about the welfare of thousands of vulnerable children in desperate need in Sudan. As apprised by President and CEO John Allen of SOS Children's Villages USA by email, on April 8th 2012 thousands of children will be moved over the border in Sudan. Many of the children have no mothers, fathers, aunts or uncles to protect them. They may be plucked from the streets and orphanages to be sent by train. SOS Children's Villages, a dedicated Organization for Children, is preparing to help the children. Some of the children may be disabled. The funds needed to provide food, medical supplies and safe drinking water are not yet available. SOS Children's Villages are thus requesting that we help as we can, and make donation if possible.

There is unrest in the area, and SOS Children's Villages is very concerned for the welfare of these children. The United Nations has monitored cases of violence against abandoned children, forced labour, sexual abuse, trafficking and recruitment as child soldiers.

Perhaps Providence has led you to read these words so that your care and donation can help these children caught in tragic circumstances. If your financial situation is not such that you can afford to make a donation, please offer your other great gift; prayer for all those in this situation and for those preparing to help.

Lumiere Charity remembers Minister Helen Mboro as she prepares the way for the children to be welcomed. We also remember Juba and Malakal SOS Children's Villages as they prepare to provide shelter, care and psychological support to children under twelve years of age. Imagine; under twelve, a small and lonely child in these circumstances must feel so frightened and alone. In the spirit of Lumiere, please do what you can to help make a new life for these innocents.

For donation, please click on https://help.sos-usa.org/page.aspx?pid=472&srctid=1&erid=5653214&trid=8ca14ef1-8c9e-4b01-b155-dbcf70206548
or you can click on
https://help.sos-usa.org/page.aspx?pid=472&srctid=1&erid=5653214&trid=8ca14ef1-8c9e-4b01-b155-dbcf70206548
$50 can provide educational supplies
$120 can provide food for a month
$150 can provide safe drinking water
$1000 can provide medical supplies for a month

* Ms. Helen Atkins of SOS Children's Villages audio interview with Minister Helen Mboro, please click on this link http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/News-and-Stories/News/Pages/South-Sudan-April-8th-generation.aspx

*Report on the April 8th 2012 deadline, please see
http://www.sos-childrensvillages.org/News-and-Stories/News/Pages/South-Sudan-April-8th-generation.aspx




Monday, March 26, 2012

Help Young Children - The Child Health Site




Help young children with a computer click
Every day when you visit your email or a website online, why not help young children by clicking on an email button from The Child Health Site. It's so simple;
1. Register with The Child Health Site (http://www.thechildhealthsite.com)
2. They will send you an email a day
3. In that email click on the 'Click Here to Give - it's FREE' button
and sponsors pay for health care.

The Child Health Site assists with saving childrens' lives and to improve the quality of their health. According to The Child Health Site, over 200 000 children die each week from preventable causes, and many millions more suffer from curable blindness, malnutrition and preventable diseases. The Site was launched in October 2002, and since that time, hundreds of thousands of children have been directly helped by the daily free click alone.

The funding raised through The Child Health Site goes to its Charitable Parner, who use it for the distribution of Vitamin A and the administration of oral re-hydration therapy to children with severe dehydration. Prosthetics for children have also been made available, as have tests to determine if an expectant mother is HIV-positive so that she can receive treatment in order to prevent transmitting HIV to her newborn.

The information Lumiere Charity has received from The Child Health Site on 6th March 2012, is that there are extra Donation Days to assist with the liberation of young women from indentured servitude. The Site has a wonderful shop; enter HELPGIRLS at the Checkout, and, as you shop, assist in the liberaton of young women from indentured servitude. 'Help families, keep girls in school, not sent away to work,' are the words in the email we received from the The Child Health.

It's a novel way to assist others; a click of the computer to change others' lives. That's all it takes.

Lumiere Charity remembers Maryland and Virginia

Dear Readers,

As requested by CEO Jim Liske of Prison Fellowship Ministries (http://www.prisonfellowship.org.uk), Lumiere Charity remembers Maryland and Virginia General Assembly Members as they consider bills to prohibit the shackling of pregnant inmates during labour and childbirth. Our thoughts and prayers are with all in Maryland and Virginia at this time. A lit candle has been burning in remembrance for all who deliberate for the dignity, safety and wellbeing of women and children during the miracle of childbirth, and for all the mothers and children.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Homeless Boy steals the Talent Show



Sung-bong Choi sings with unique beauty and mastery of song in the Talent Show, 'Korea's got Talent.' Sung-boi's story is on the Youtube video below, explaining how he had been homeless from a very early age, and underwent difficult times. At the time of the show he was working as a manual labourer. At one stage he heard someone sing, and began to sing himself. This video shows the triumph of the noble and courageous young man over the adversity he had experienced in his life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ46Ot4_lLo&feature=related
In the spirit of Lumiere, please consider sponsoring the education or singing training of someone who is in disadvantaged circumstances. Many of us have had the privilege of blessing and education in our lives - let us pass it on.

*Photograph was taken by Rev. Catherine in serene Ireland. Please feel free to use the photo copyright free for any educational or spiritual purpose

Friday, March 16, 2012

Librarians - Changing the World



I absolutely love visiting my local Library. The Staff have won awards for the incredible book exhibitions, collections, layout, efficiency and courtesy of the service they offer. Their patience is limitless, and educational opportunities for others their goal. I had been on a visit to the Library and was talking to the Librarian behind the counter to whom I had addressed an enquiry. As she gave me a gentle smile and went the extra mile to get a book I needed, I looked over to the Children's Section. I had a flashback, and for a moment I was back in Welkom as a small child. Mom in one of her many careers was a librarian, and she announced one day, 'I'm going to give you the best present I can ever give you. I'm going to give you a home for life. Wherever you are in the world in the future, you will never be lonely. You'll always have friends.' Mom bundled my little brother into his coat and boots, me into mine, and off we went. We entered the local Library in Welkom and I walked into Paradise. Being so tiny, the high ceilings of the beautiful Library towered over me. There was a hush of calm and air of mystery with signs around the place which I later realised encouraged us to 'Please respect the silence - others are studying'.

They were rows upon rows of books, beautiful and in tall stacks. They seemed to beckon to me, inviting me to open the pages. Mom enrolled us into the Library, and I was courteously asked questions and explained how the Library works. Then I was taken to the Chldren's Section (you only graduated to the 'Grownups' Literature Section at an appropriate age and after consultation with your parents) and was left to open books with a reverent finger. There were regular Public Readings of books for children, and Mom faithfully used to bring my brother and myself to listen to the lady who wore different hats and clothes at different times to suit the content of the book she was reading from. I used to sit and hold the hand of my little brother whom I adored, and we would listen to the wonders of the storytelling. It was all Very Exciting.

Things went from good to better. In the mining town many of the immigrants who worked there lived from one hard worked for pay check to the next. Education for their children was the great goal of most of the parents who laboured so hard every day, and sometimes at jobs at night. The Library began competitions for essays, and the prize was a book for different categories. I seem to recall that a suspicious number of us won prizes, in fact every child who submitted an essay one year (I must have been about ten years old then) received a book.

Well, to get to the point, the first year aged six I submitted my essay and won 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' written and illustrated by the immortal Beatrix Potter. I revelled in the little blue jacket, the dear buttons on the rabbit's coat; was horrified at his disobedience to his dear Mama in going to the gardener's garden, and wanted to weep with him at the tragedies that befell him there. In short, I adored the book. I then graduated on to other Beatrix Potter books, and used to lie for hours inbetween chores reading about Jemima Puddleduck, the wily fox, Jeremy Fisher the frog and Squirrel Nutkin. The comfortingly sturdy build of the washer hedgehog Mrs. Tiggy-winkle became a firm favourite of mine as she starched and washed her way through the laundry.

At age ten I won the grand prize. It was an unbelievably beautiful book of illustrated stories of ballet. I breathlessly read Swan Lake, danced with the beautiful Odette and became annoyed at the duplicity of Odile. Copellia had paintings of the most beautiful traditional costumes, and I loved poring over the illustrations and seeing the ribbons and multicolours of the large skirts and bodice tops.

In later years, the Library became a second home when I went through the staggering homesickness of settling in a new country when I left South Africa. The gentle Irish Librarians went out of their way to make me feel welcome and at home, and whenever I felt lonely I would pop around to the local Library for a read and a small chat with the Librarians. Now of course I am completely at home in Ireland, and can happily go between South Africa and Ireland, at ease in each. However, the local Library is still second home. A few years ago the Charity received a number of requests for English teachers in villages and squatter camp areas. I had no resources for an English principal for Lumiere English Academy, the English educational branch of the Charity, so decided to train as an English teacher myself. I began the lessons, and my local Library spent two years sourcing books from all over Ireland to help me complete the study. Nothing was too much trouble. The Librarians also helped me with my computer skills which had been sketchy at best.

Last year members of the Librarians were touched by the story of  the children Lumiere Charity reaches out to. The Librarians donated boxes of books for disadvantaged children, supporting Lumiere's project which is very dear to us; beginning and supporting libraries in disadvantaged areas, for orphans and street children. Those books found their way into a number of our projects in Asia and Africa, and were rapturously received by principals, social workers and children finding their way around the written and spoken English word. Books in other local languages have also been given by Lumiere over the years. Benefactors have given computers, and we have donated lessons on CD and CD Rom (there are great painting lessons, and classes of different kinds in the shops). A number of small libraries have thus sprung up. But they are not enough.

In the spirit of Lumiere, and in the spirit of all generous Librarians everywhere, why not choose a disadvantaged village/ squatter camp/ orphanage/ childrens' shelter/ hospital for children/ and begin a Library there. Local municipalities and places of worship are often most supportive in new facilites being made available.  Coffee mornings and fundraisers pay for books and postage/shipping. Books can be purchased from church fetes, secondhand bookstores or your local Charity shop and sent to the Library you support. You thus have the blessing of supporting your local place of worship, Charity shops and local book businesses, and the happiness of helping disadvantaged towards education and a better future. If you have the great gift of being an English teacher, why not donate some of your time as a volunteer to one of the many projects needing an English teacher to teach the disadvantaged? Another possibility is to volunteer your services at your local Library as a reader at Childrens' Storytime.

Wouldn't it be absolutely wonderful if there were a Library, a second home, in every disadvantaged area in the world? Education is the way to a better future - what better way than to support the services of our Librarians, the unsung heros and heroines of many a child's world...

*A website celebrating the 110th Birthday of Peter Rabbit is
http://www.peterrabbit.com/us/
*Information about Librarians
http://www.library.ie/jobs-careers/career-information/

Thursday, March 8, 2012

Happy Holi - Festival of Colour


Happy Holi from Lumiere Charity to all who celebrate this wonderful Festival today!

Holi Celebrations began early this morning in India and worldwide. Holi is the sacred Festival symbolising the victory of good over evil. It is a spring festival, and the spring harvest refills the stores of households. The beautiful mixture of mango blossoms and sandalwood paste is often used in places of worship, filling the air with its fragrance. Time is spent in prayer in places of worship; special prayers and mantras* are chanted. The Festival of Colours is enjoyed with much merriment as revellers join in the custom of throwing colour at each other in the spirit of joy and laughter.

Colours fill the air as people throw dry powdered colours and coloured water at each other. All share happiness and mirth in the arrival of the spring festival. Colours include red, pink, yellow, magenta, green,purple, black, gold and silver. Spring songs and music are enjoyed. The words 'Happy Holi' are called out to each other.

People make peace on Holi and forget their worries. Family and friends are visited, and sweets, gifts and greetings are exchanged. Social ties are thus strengthened. Beautiful meals are made, and traditional Holi recipes include Puren Poli, Gujia, Papri, Malpua and Saffron and Almond Milk.

In the spirit of Holi, do something lovely for someone else today. Bake them a coloured cake; or give a colourful card. Clean their car, or visit someone who is ill. Cheer your loved one with a gift of fragrance, or buy a pot of beautifully scented flowers and give them to a loved one or friend. Find some way to celebrate the goodness that is in our world and our society; there are so many people who quietly do lovely things for other people, acts which often go unnoticed.

Doctors and nurses save lives; those in the healing professions assist others, cheer up the lonely, care for the sick, help those in difficulties, assist the downhearted. Mothers and fathers care for children, often at personal sacrifice. Grandparents step in to babysit and help their families. Teachers educate and give people opportunity for a better life. You will be able to number many other people who do good things. Let us look at the good and the noble in our society as do all in India and worldwide who celebrate the marvellous Festival of Holi.

Let us celebrate life; with colour, imagination, dedication, caring and love.

Why not send this blog as an e-card to someone with a thank you note for something they did for you which you appreciated.

Happy Holi!

*Prayerful phrases, sacred utterances
* Photograph taken by Catherine. Please feel free to use copyright free for any educational or spiritual purpose

Sunday, March 4, 2012

David Parkes Concert in Dublin


DAVID PARKES IN CONCERT
MEDJUGORJE NIGHT OF PRAYER


Interested in music? Why not attend Medjugorje Night of Prayer through Song with international singer David Parkes in association with Marian Pilgrimages.

Renew our spirit of love - forgiveness - and peace through attending this wonderful event.
Three local school choirs will also be singing; Scoil Aengusa Junior & Senior and Scoil Iosa
VENUE; St. Aengus' Church, Balrothery, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland
DATE; 8th March 2012
TICKETS; Available at the Parish Office at website

International singer David Parkes was diagnosed with severe Crohn's disease, and underwent a spiritual and physical healing at Medjugorje. Read his inspiring story at website


Music by this inspired singer may be ordered through the above website. Beautiful CD's include
'You are always close to Me'
'Songs of Love and Inspiration'
'Let me Live'
'In His Time'
'My Father's Chair'
'We Stand for God'

Top songs and albums by David Parkes can be downloaded
from iTunes Stores. Enjoy!

*Photo taken in beautiful Ireland by Rev. Catherine. Please feel free to use copyright free for any educational or spiritual purpose