Call for Solidarity with Haiti
Student Christian Movements (SCMs) worldwide are being called upon to support the people of Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake last week. There has been no news from the Haiti SCM after attempts to contact the SCM Haiti representative were unsuccessful.
British SCM members, along with our global network the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF), are continuing to pray for the people of Haiti and encouraging people to support disaster relief efforts.
The WSCF’s Latin America Region has issued a plea for global solidarity. Haiti, whose SCM is part of the Latin America region, needs urgent aid. The WSCF is organising a group to go to Haiti to assist with on-the-ground relief efforts as well as to contact members of the SCM.
SCM Canada have issued a statement saying:
“Words cannot express the feelings of shock and sadness at the news of the devastating earthquake. We pray for the safety of all Haitians, including our comrades in the Student Christian Movement of Haiti (MEC Haití Allianza Cristiana de Estudiantes Haitianos).”
“For a country that has endured great suffering brought about by hurricanes and tropical storms, dictatorships and military coups, and a long and ongoing history of imperialism and intervention from the Global North, this latest disaster brings more tragedy to a people who have already been through more pain, turmoil and struggle than many could imagine.”
The following is a letter from the WSCF regional office
Dear brothers and sisters,
Fraternal greetings from the Regional Office for Latin America of the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF). We hope that the love and the grace of our God continues accompanying your paths.
We take this opportunity to write with much pain for the situation we are facing in Haiti, and have tried at great length to communicate with the Rev. Esdras Salomón, the representative for SCM Haiti; to this date we have been unsuccessful in reaching him.
On behalf of the Regional Office of the WSCF Latin American region, we are making this call of solidarity to all members of the WSCF (SCMs) around the world; we have set up a special offering to support our brothers and sisters, the people of Haiti as a testimony to our love and support from [WSCF's] student committees.
We are gathering volunteers to organize a pastoral support mission to SCM Haiti, and therefore need human and financial resources; we also invite you to write letters, and to create art or other creative expression as a symbol of hope for our brothers and sisters who are suffering.
Please send messages of support to the regional office:
WSCF Latin America and Caribbean Regional Office
Camacua 238,
1406 DOF,
Capital Federal,
Buenos Aires,
Argentina
fumec@fumec-alc.org
Please send contributions to:
Bank Account No. 190 0523 854
SWIFT: BROUUYMM
ABA: 026003324
Bank: Republic Montevideo, Uruguay
Send confirmation to our email, fumec@fumec-alc.org.
Let us unite our hearts in prayer:
God, who walks with the people,
We have hope for a new dawn
For our brothers and sisters of Haiti
May these moments of difficulty touch
All those who are indifferent to the destruction of Creation
to satisfy their personal interests
Help WSCF unite our hands around the world in solidarity,
Bring relief through your grace and love to those who suffer
Through its renewing force, may the Holy Spirit
Accompany each of your sons and daughters
Offering them consolation ahd hope
Strenghthened in faith
We are in your hands, O God of Life.
Amen.
Gustavo Quintero Casadiego
Executive regional secretary,
WSCF Latin America
Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/people/newbeatphoto/ under (cc) Creative Commons license 2.0