Christian Charity raises over £132,000 for Coronavirus response
UK-based Christian charity Global Care is taking stock six months into the coronavirus pandemic.
In March, as the pandemic took hold, Global Care needed to act fast. Supporting vulnerable children living in poverty all over the world, the charity’s international partners witnessed first-hand the devastation caused by the pandemic: Unemployment, starvation, a lack of hygiene supplies, misery and death.
Global Care launched an emergency appeal on 30 March. Six months on, generous supporters have donated £132,265 so far, even in the face of rising economic uncertainty here in the UK.
Thanks to these donations, Global Care has provided food parcels lasting weeks to more than 4,000 poverty-stricken families in 11 countries, from the slums of India and Guatemala, to the remote mountain valleys of Central Asia, the rural poor of Uganda and the war-weary children of Syria. A total of 13,796 people in poverty, including 8,483 children, have received lifesaving supplies including food, soap and facemasks. 30 handwashing stations were set up in the slum of Kibera, in Kenya, allowing 24,000 people to access clean water and soap in a community without running water.
Working through grassroots partners overseas, who live in the communities they serve, Global Care has been able to assess urgent community needs and deliver supplies rapidly, just where they are needed, when they are needed.
John White, CEO of Global Care reflects on the last 6 months:
“This has been one of the most intense times for Global Care that I can remember. Never before have we faced so many frantic requests from our partners simultaneously. Despite facing uncertainty ourselves – with our charity shops closed and most of our office staff suddenly working from home – we made a commitment to just keep supporting our partners, enabling them to help the children, and to raise as much as we possibly could. Already the generosity of our donors has exceeded our wildest dreams back in March. To have raised this sum is incredible – we are so grateful to each and every one of our donors. Their support has been amazing – life-saving and transformative. We’re so proud of all they have enabled us to achieve.
“Unfortunately we know the work is far from over. Rebuilding lives and communities after Covid-19 is going to take a monumental effort. There are many more needs we have yet to meet, including further feeding and rent support to keep vulnerable children safe, educational supplies, making schools and our childcare centres Covid-secure, and enabling children to return to education.”
Global Care was set up in Coventry more than 35 years ago and is currently working in 17 countries across four continents. The charity aims to support the poorest and most vulnerable children, through education; vocational training, feeding and welfare care.
To give to Global Care’s emergency appeal please visit:
