General impact report - Summer 2024

An update on MCC projects around the world

Al-Najd Developmental Forum staff unload emergency food that has just arrived in Gaza for distribution to families in Deir al Balah and surrounding areas.

Palestine and Israel Democratic Republic of the Congo Ukraine

Delivering hope in Gaza

Your generosity provided vital relief to families caught in conflict

Al-Najd Developmental Forum staff distribute emergency food that has just arrived in Gaza for distribution to families. The shipment arrived on March 19 and was distributed on March 23. *Names withheld for security reasons. — Because of your generosity, families in Gaza are receiving emergency food boxes.* As Gaza is plunged into famine conditions, these food boxes are a lifeline for families on the brink. (Photo courtesy of Al-Najd Developmental Forum/Bashar Al Arja)

For the millions of people living in Gaza, life has become more chaotic and unpredictable.

According to the United Nations, the widespread destruction of homes and neighbourhoods has displaced 1.9 million people. People have fled their homes, often under rocket and artillery fire, taking little more than the clothes on their backs.

Shortly after the conflict began, MCC partner, Al-Najd Developmental Forum (Al-Najd), identified families in dire need of assistance. Donors like you swiftly answered our call for help and within a few weeks, 750 food packages filled with locally purchased necessities were distributed to families in northern and southern Gaza. Your compassionate support also ensured bedding was distributed to 250 displaced families in the north and hygiene kits were distributed to an additional 250 families sheltering in schools in the south.

As the conflict escalated, supplies became scarce in Gaza and prices skyrocketed, and the entire population in Gaza is on the brink of famine. After months of delays, MCC was able to get a truck full of food* from Jordan safely through the Kerem Abu Shalom border crossing into Gaza in mid-March. Food packages were delivered to 550 displaced families (approximately 3,300 people) living in tent camps in Deir al Balah and other locations between Gaza City and Khan Younis. More shipments are planned.

Amidst the darkness and uncertainty that has enveloped life in Gaza, your caring generosity is a beacon of light for families struggling to survive.

*Project supported through MCC’s account at Canadian Foodgrains Bank, with funding from the Government of Canada.

Wells, buckets and jerry cans of gratitude

Three boreholes have been built in three years in Kikwit, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, because your kindness overflowed.

Marie Jeanne Kudimuka fills up her water jug with clean water drawn from a recently built borehole in Kikwit. — Marie-Jeanne knew her life would change if she had access to clean water in her community of Kikwit, DR Congo. Today, because of the generosity of people like you, Marie-Jeanne’s dream is now her reality as three new boreholes deliver thousands of litres of clean, safe water every day to Marie-Jeanne and her neighbours. (MCC photo/Gracia Felo)

Last summer, we shared Marie-Jeanne Kudimuka’s story with you. Fleeing violence in her village, her family landed in Kikwit, DR Congo. Safe from the conflict, they faced a new threat: a lack of clean water.

Little did they know, the Kikwit community had been struggling with finding clean, safe water for two decades. Kikwit residents had endured multiple outbreaks, and even epidemics, of waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, diarrhea and dysentery. These are diseases that make people sick and, if left untreated, can be fatal.

Marie Jeanne Kudimuka, 65, stands outside her home.

“My health will be good again and I’m going to gain time. I may wash any time that I like. I may do my laundry without difficulty. My body will be clean. My house clean. My clothes clean. And the belly pain will be recovered forever.”

Marie-Jeanne Kudimuka

Kikwit, DR Congo

Now, because of you, that struggle has come to an end. With your compassionate support, three new boreholes have been built in Kikwit. This life-changing solution, fueled by your kindness, ensures that 3,000 people have access to clean, safe, affordable drinking water and that disease outbreaks from waterborne illnesses are a thing of the past.

The new water tap stand is 500 metres from her front door. Today, because of you, this water is safe for her family to collect and safe to drink.

Partner spotlight: Community of Mennonite Brethren Churches in Congo (CEFMC)

Community of Mennonite Brethren Churches in Congo (French acronym: CEFMC) has been assisting and accompanying displaced people through MCC-supported projects in Kikwit since 2017 with initiatives in healthcare, education and social services. The largest Mennonite community in the DR Congo with presence in eight provinces, CEFMC has been a longstanding and effective partner with MCC.

Sending comfort around the world

Your comforters wrapped people in warmth and care all winter long

Serhiy,* who is blind, examines the new MCC comforter he just received from MCC partner New Life in Nikopol, Ukraine. *Family name is withheld for security reasons. — Fleeing the danger of war has been made even more challenging for Serhiy* and his son because they both have visual impairments. When the winter winds howled, Serhiy and his son were warm thanks to the comforters made by MCC volunteers like you. (Photo courtesy of New Life Charitable Fund)

Sewing machines were abuzz across Canada, the U.S. and Europe this winter as MCC donors put the finishing touches on comforters to send around the world through our annual Great Winter Warm-up. We challenged our community to donate thousands of comforters in February. You answered the call with compassion and enthusiasm, generously sending 6,991 beautiful comforters — each stitched with love.

These comforters are sent around the world to people like Serhiy* in Nikopol, Ukraine. Fleeing constant shelling with his son and living far away from his wife, Serhiy stayed warm this winter wrapped up in a comforter from the creative and compassionate donors at MCC.

*Name shortened for security purposes.

Threads of care

Harold and Miriam Tieszen have been making comforters for MCC for over 20 years. Recently they spotted one of their comforters in a photo from our partner in Ukraine. Easily identifiable by Harold and Miriam’s signature pattern and recognizable fleece backing, the couple was touched to see a young person wrapped up in their love and kindness.

Harold and Miriam Tieszen holding a comforter they made to donate to beneficiaries through MCC.

With Harold cutting the squares and Miriam sewing them together, the Saskatchewan couple makes a great team and has sent hundreds of beautiful comforters around the world with MCC. (Photo courtesy of Harold and Miriam Tieszen)

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Two beneficiaries in Ukraine are wrapped up in comforters made by MCC volunteers.

Recipients of Harold and Miriam’s comforter in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine. “It was beautiful and absolutely lovely [to see a photo of them with our comforter],” Harold reflected. “It is awesome to see that someone can benefit from our work. We love to help someone while enjoying what we are doing.” (Photo courtesy of Association of Mennonite Brethren Churches of Ukraine)

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Your impact around the world

The compassion and generosity of MCC donors like you has provided practical help to people around the world caught in the midst of conflict, disasters and crisis. Here are a few recent examples of your support in action…

Initiative: Provide relief kits that include basic necessities like hygiene supplies to 7,000 internally displaced people in Ukraine.

Partner: Zaporizhzhia Baptist Union

Initiative: Distribute emergency supplies to a total of 38,016 people in northwest Zambia. These include essential items like comforters, soap, nail clippers, combs, sanitary pads, towels, toothpaste and school supplies.

Partner: Brave Heart Foundation

Initiative: Invest in and train young adults (ages 22-35) to get them equipped for the job market in a country rife with unemployment. Training includes English courses, computer skills, project management, accounting and more.

Partner: Christian Hope Center

Initiative: Support new agriculture techniques, like floating gardens, to improve food security and nutrition for 1,440 families who live along the banks of a river that endures increasingly frequent floods.

Partner: Maitree Palli Unnayan Sangathon

Service in the name of Christ

Dennis and Susan Driedger are building a legacy of dignity, hope and compassion with a gift in their will for MCC. (Photo courtesy of Dennis and Susan Driedger)

Dennis and Susan Driedger of Winkler, Man., have been involved with
MCC in a number of ways over the years. In addition to their already
active and generous support, they have thoughtfully chosen to leave MCC a gift in their will. “We have seen firsthand what a difference the work of MCC makes in the lives of people, giving them dignity and hope. Therefore we have put MCC in our will, so that “Service in the Name of Christ” can continue on into the future.”

Learn more about how you can leave MCC a gift in your will here.