Thank you for all who gave so generously leading up to June 30. We will now be very close to meeting the commitment we made to our overseas partners at the beginning of the year.

Thank you for your support and please join us in praying for God’s faithful provision.

Any gifts made to the Matching Gifts fund from July 1st will still form part of our matching gifts fund for 2011-12 financial year. Thank you. 

Matching gift donations will help creating opportunity and enable access to health and education for children, families and communities in West Timor, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

For every dollar you give towards the Matching Gift Fund,  your gift could be multiplied as much as six times. This year the Matching Gift fund will support three life-giving projects: Loans For Freedom- Betun, West Timor; Clean Water- Milne Bay, PNG; Restore Sight – Vanuatu.

West Timor – Now that’s Good Development Video. To view just click below.

Loans for Freedom

In Betun, West Timor, the aid and development arm of the Evangelical Christian Church in Timor, Tanaoba Lais Manekat Foundation (TLM), is empowering those in one of Indonesia’s poorest areas by providing small microfinance loans.

Microfinance loans allow community members to develop and expand income generating opportunities such as cattle breeding or trading produce at local markets. This income, in turn, allows individuals to better access to education and health for their whole family.

To view pictures and stories from Betun, WestTimor, click here.

Clean Water

Communities have poor health when water is not clean, but creating safe access to water and sanitation facilities improves the quality of life. Raising awareness and providing education for communities about water-related health and hygiene is also important in sustaining better health.

Our partner the United Church in Papua New Guinea is working  to improve safe water supply and provide hygienic toilets villages in the Milne bay area. A community health officer is also employed to provide training to increase awareness and understanding about water-related health and hygiene issues.

Restore Sight

Many people in Vanuatu are affected by preventable blindness. With 83 islands spread over 1,300 kilometres, access to regular and sufficient health services is difficult. Providing good eye care facilities and mobile services will enable treatment and prevention in remote communities.

The Presbyterian Church of Vanuatu has been working to establish satellite clinics which train and equip local people to test eyes, prescribe glasses, and provide eye and general health education through regular seminars.

To view pictures and more from Vanuatu, click here.

Enable us to multiply your gift by as much as six times by donating to this appeal.

How to donate:

• Click here to make a secure online donation

• Donate by phone by calling us on 1800 998 122

• Donate by mail – Click here to download a donation form, then print, complete as indicated and return to:

UnitingWorld – Relief and Development

Reply Paid A2266

South Sydney NSW 1235

No stamp required if posted within Australia. Please make all cheques payable to UnitingWorld.

Thank you for your support!

Please note that all gifts of $2 and over are tax deductible.

Note: Should the funds raised exceed the amount required to meet the needs of these projects, UnitingWorld will use the excess funds for similar Relief and Development projects in these areas.