Hope Spot 7 – Love trumps all

I’m sorry, but I’m upset.

I don’t want to get into politics …

… but last week at Kakuma Refugee Camp, where you work through ALWS, food rations had to be slashed because of US aid cuts.

According to the World Food Program (WFP):

… food rations were “at 45 percent

of the minimum food basket

due to resource constraints.”

Can you imagine that?

The original ‘food basket’ is the minimum required to sustain life. Not put on weight. Not get strong. Just enough to survive.

Now that minimum ration is cut by 45%.

What would you do if your weekly food was cut in half?

The ‘resource constraints’ are the direct result of aid cuts made on the other side of the planet … in one of the world’s richest countries … where 41% of the population are obese.

Can you see why I am upset?

The only reason I haven’t written this email in ALL CAPS is people like you.

Despite everything happening in our broken world, you remain kind and generous.

You bring love to life in humble practical action. At Kakuma, this means refugee Joyce can continue cooking what food there is for those who need it:

“Every day, we cook for thousands. It’s not easy. We even cook without salt, because there is not money for that.

We give the food first to babies, children and pregnant women.

I work here to support my children. I really want them to go to school,

but I don’t have money to send them.

I want them to have opportunities I didn’t have.

It’s my dream my children get an education

to have a better life.  That’s my hope for the future.”

You are part of Joyce’s ‘hope for the future’

Your support, as part of our ALWS 75^th Thanksgiving Campaign to support 75,000 children with school, food and safety, is more critical than ever.

It’s not just filling hungry tummies now.

You also help provide the schooling that children like Elizabeth are hungry for, the education that can set them up for life. To be teachers. Doctors. Or, like Elizabeth has drawn, a chef:

You can see by the ‘WFP’ that Elizabeth has drawn on the apron that Elizabeth wants to be part of the team (World Food Program) feeding child refugees.

Just like you do.

Thank you for all you do for children through ALWS.

No matter what challenges we face, or how upset the politics may make us feel…

your love trumps all …

… and that’s why you are a blessing ALWayS.

PS: if you think I’ve been too forthright in how I feel about the aid cuts hurting children, please let me know. As I said, I don’t like to get into politics, but sometimes we have to speak up for those the world has forgotten and so easily abandons. That’s why ALWS has joined with churches and faith-based aid agencies across Australia to encourage our Government not to follow what the US has done. You can read the letter we’ve signed here.