What Is Doctors Without Borders?

The Coins of Compassion offering at Ellisforde in January will go to Doctors Without Borders. As you think about what you can give--spare change from purse or pocket, or some bills, or maybe even a check--take some time to learn more about this extraordinary humanitarian organization.

 Peru 2007, © David Levene

For a start, this is from their website:

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international medical humanitarian organization created by doctors and journalists in France in 1971.

Today, MSF provides independent, impartial assistance in more than 60 countries to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disasters. MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need. MSF also reserves the right to speak out to bring attention to neglected crises, challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols.

In 1999, MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize.

You can also view this video:

And you can find out much more by visiting the Doctors Without Borders website. Just click HERE.

Then just imagine what your donation can help accomplish. Please give generously, and may we always remember what Jesus said: "Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me." (Matthew 25:40, NRSV)

Sudan 2008 © Anne Yzebe/MS

What Is Church World Service?

In this month of October the Ellisforde church's Coins of Compassion offerings will go to Church World Service. What is Church World Service? This is how they describe their mission and work.

Photo: Paul Jeffrey, ACT/Caritas

Church World Service works with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. Together we reach out to neighbors in need near and far--not with a hand out, but a hand up.  So, if you’re looking to help build a better world—a world where there’s enough for all—you’ve come to the right place!

Around the world, Church World Service supports sustainable grassroots development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance, and we educate and advocate on hunger-related issues.  In the U.S., we help communities respond to disasters, resettle refugees, promote fair national and international policies, and provide educational resources. 

We invite you to join our network of local and global caring through participation in CROP Hunger Walks, the Blankets+ program, and the CWS Kits program.

Connect with us today!

• Responding to emergencies in the U.S. and around the world
• Nurturing development at the grassroots with seeds, tools and homegrown strategies
• Assisting refugees to return home when possible, and to find other viable options when it’s not
• Speaking out in partnership on issues that make a difference in the lives of hungry people
• Food security so parents can reliably feed their families
• Water for all so that families have water for drinking, household needs and farming

Click here to go to the Church World Service home page to learn more about the work they do. And give generously to Coins of Compassion this month!