... a Lancashire based Charity founded in 1991 and enthusiastically supported since 2003 by Crediton Methodist Church. Individual Church members and a Church group Knit and Natter, support six families in the Ukraine and Belarus financially and by regularly sending family parcels.
Every week of the year, 2 to 3 – 45’ containers leave Lancashire for Eastern Europe, and the Church regularly raises money to cover transport costs. As well as this, throughout the year church members, schools and friends from all over Devon fill shoeboxes which go out regularly on these lorries to needy families, children’s homes, old people and street children in Eastern Europe and many countries of the world. Since 2004 an average of 900 shoeboxes per year were sent from this Church. Members and friends love filling shoeboxes, and to the recipients it is a sign that they are loved and not forgotten.
The Church and the wider community and members of other churches regularly give clothes, blankets, medical equipment and shoes, these are boxed up by a church member and her husband and about 6 times a year are sent to Lancashire for immediate transportation to Eastern Europe and beyond.
There is also a link with a church in Fastov near Kiev. At the moment there is a communication problem, but it is hoped that the link will be renewed. Recently a box of provisions has been sent for members of the Fastov Church, many of the congregation are in great need.
INTERNATIONAL AID TRUST is a Christian humanitarian charity that has grown from one man’s dreams to a reality, which helps thousands of needy people both at home and abroad. The work has been enhanced with support from ‘Rotary International’ and “RIBI”.
The work of INTERNATIONAL AID includes:-
Humanitarian Aid: We collect, sort and deliver millions of pounds worth of much needed aid to Eastern Europe, Africa, Central America, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Aid is delivered in response to requests and comprises of 2.5 container trucks per week on average.
Children’s Holidays: Thousands of children, many from areas affected by the Chernobyl disaster of 1986 are given Christian recuperative holidays in two centres near the Black Sea, and in six other centres operating in Belarus and the Ukraine. Hundreds of jobs have been created at these centres and in the supporting cottage industries.
Christina’s Houses These are houses that we build, or buy and convert into homes for street children and orphans. The caring house parents are selected from local churches.
Family Sponsorship: Administered by us, individuals or organisations can support a family for about £15 - £20 per month; an amount which can often double a poor families; income. About 600 adults and children are helped in this way, but the need is great!
Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation: Help and positive assistance is given to many young people at several centres which are operated through the Christina’s House project.
Caring for the Sick: Medical and surgical care is provided for people of all ages.
In addition, the last twelve months have seen:
Begin building new villages in Sri Lanka, in a joint venture with Rotary International.
Renovate the Khadjibe Children’s Centre near Odessa.
Completed an extension for the disabled at the Myaki Centre (Odessa) which opened in May 2005. This provides an opportunity for disabled children to experience a free, caring holiday with a fully facilitated building. A new LHD minibus is now needed for the Centre.
Purchase a derelict nursery close to Kiev and converted to accommodate 30 rescued children.
Equip a premature baby unit in the Odessa region with used equipment from UK hospitals.
Please ask for a speaker or for an audio-visual presentation at your church, club, school or conference to show the work in action.
If you would like to know more about the work of INTERNATIONAL AID TRUST visit the website
Patron: Baroness Cox of Queensbury
Registered office: Longton Business Park, Station Road, Much Hoole, Preston, PR4 5LE
Charity Registration No. 1086597 | Company limited by guarantee No 4167908 |VAT No. 652 6793 08
Visit our web site: www.internationalaidtrust.org.uk
SOUTH WEST REGIONAL CO-ORDINATORS:
Adrian and June Redfern Tel: 01363 84058
