PHILIPPINES: UMCOR OPENS NEW OFFICE

UMCOR will open an office in the Philippines on July 24 to help bring relief to a population vulnerable to natural disasters, civil conflict and extreme poverty. Based on the campus of Union Theological Seminary in Cavite, about 50 miles south of Manila, UMCOR Philippines will serve as the communications hub between United Methodist conferences within the Philippines and the US. The office will also offer an on-site storage facility for material goods and relief supplies.

Bishops, disaster response coordinators and partner organizations will gather at UMCOR Philippines on July 21-24 to participate in a disaster preparedness training led by Melissa Crutchfield, head of UMCOR's International Disaster Response and Lisa Jackson, head of special projects, to implement appropriate responses to different phases of disaster.

Support the new office with your gifts to Philippines Emergency, UMCOR Advance #240235.

ZIMBABWE: CHEERING FOR PENCILS

Amidst Zimbabwe's rising inflation and famine struggles, resources are scarce and expensive, particularly for those living in remote areas. Most communities do not have access to basic necessities such as food or clean water, much less educational materials that provide hope for the future.

UMCOR, in coordination with the United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe, distributed school kits to over 400 children in rural Mutumbami, a remote region in eastern Zimbabwe in July. When the contents of the school kits were described to the students, cheers followed.

"Notebooks (smiles, clapping), scissors (smiles, clapping), an eraser, a ruler, crayons (more smiles and clapping), pencils (LOUD CHEERS!!!)," related Melissa Crutchfield, UMCOR executive for International Disaster Response. "I suddenly and humbly realized that something most Americans consider so commonplace was valued so highly in this place."

You can help bring smiles and relief to those in need by giving to Zimbabwe Emergency, UMCOR Advance #199456.