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Author: CEDAR Fund

Have You Ever Died?

Written by Rev. Sameul Leung (Senior Pastor, Ma On Shan Ling Liang Church) Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Romans 6:3-4 Believers should all say they have ‘died’, because we are united with Christ in His death and burial. When reading these scriptures, Christians emphasise being united with Christ’s death and resurrection but often overlook the word ‘buried’. By focusing on burial, it reinforces the fact of death and highlights that

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Unveiling Human Trafficking

Written by Tony Chan (Partnership Development Consultant) For years, CEDAR has been sharing the issue of human trafficking and has found that many people misunderstand this issue and the victims involved. Let us unveil the dark industry behind human trafficking. Myth: All victims suffer from sexual exploitation Click here for the truth The forms of exploitation that victims suffer vary, including sexual exploitation and forced labour. The author knows a survivor who was once sold to religious fanatics as a sacrifice and was thankfully able to escape in the end. Myth: Only women are sold Click here for the truth About 40% of victims worldwide are men, which is rising. In addition to labour exploitation, they are often

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‘SHARE’ 249 – An Experience Connecting with the Impoverished – Barefoot Walk

Businesses have returned to normalcy after the epidemic, and CEDAR Fund’s ministries, too, that our colleagues can revisit overseas partners and beneficiaries. Yet, our partners from different countries expressed the same that human trafficking is severe and it needs more resources to combat. Therefore, the CEDAR Barefoot Walk 2023 is coming back this November with the title ‘Remove Price Tag, Free Body & Soul’ to encourage participants to raise funds for anti-human trafficking work by walking barefoot. In this issue’s ‘Focus’, three Barefoot Walk participants shared how the Walk connected them with people experiencing poverty. The authors of ‘Back to the Bible’ and ‘Taking Action’ led us to reflect on the importance of tasting the impoverished’s situation through

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Myanmar Cyclone Relief

Cyclone Mocha hit the coastlines of western Myanmar on 14 May. 150 lives were lost as it rampaged through the country. Rakhine state was devastated. More than 5.1 million people were struck by the disaster, many of whom are vulnerable groups, including internally displaced and undocumented persons. Homes, communication towers and road infrastructure were turned into wreckage. The water source was polluted because of the destruction of hundreds of wells and toilets. Many families were deprived of access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities. The residents of Rakhine are tormented by diarrhoea and infectious diseases. In recent years, the Burmese have been afflicted by the civil war. They have been living under threatened food supply and

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Works with local churches to fulfil ‘Integral Mission’ and witness the Lord’s grace

Written by: Clara Chiu (Head of Partnership Development) In the process of promoting overseas poverty alleviation and development work and fulfilling Integral Mission, CEDAR’s staff are often inspired by the testimonies of lives being transformed. We hope that in our home of Hong Kong, we can also work with local churches to practice Integral Mission and experience the grace of the Lord.  Since last November, CEDAR Fund has commenced an eight-month programme, ‘CEDAR Course’, to promote Integral Mission locally. Through the programme, we hope local churches are given support and the resources to serve the community in greater depth.   Pastors and church leaders who enrolled on the programme to gain some knowledge about ‘Integral Mission: church fulfilment and

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Building Local Capacities for Peace in Manipur

Project Name Building Local Capacities for Peace in Manipur Project Location India Project Natures Peace and Reconciliation Project Objectives Establish community capital in Manipur to promote peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups in the region and mitigate the impact of harmful conflicts. Beneficiaries Leaders from various sectors (including churches, civil society organisations, women’s and youth groups), and children. No. of Beneficiaries Approx. 1,100 Key Activities Organise peace workshops for youth groups, women, church leaders, and leaders of civil society organisations in five regions, enabling them to learn how to heal historical wounds.  Organise inter-ethnic football matches for youth groups, church leaders, and leaders of civil society organisations to learn cooperation with other ethnic groups through sports activities. Provide

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Preventing and mitigating the impact of trafficking through empowerment and livelihood training, phase 2

Project Name Preventing and mitigating the impact of trafficking through empowerment and livelihood training, phase 2 Project Location Myanmar Project Natures Anti-human Trafficking Project Objectives Increase resilience and provide essential support to trafficking survivors in Myanmar’s trafficking hub. Beneficiaries Men, Women, Boys and Girls No. of Beneficiaries 1,250 Key Activities Run a Drop-in centre (The Life Centre) in Yangon. Provide vocational training, transportation, gifts, and food parcels to victims of human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Outreach in Yangon’s red light areas and trafficking hubs. Project Period Jan 2023 to Dec 2024 Expenses Approx. HK$478,850 Donate Now PARTNER INFORMATION Partner Name Eden Myanmar Year of establishment 2014 The Year Our Partnership Started 2016 Partner’s Mission Eden Myanmar is committed

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Children’s Learning Space in Myanmar

Project Name Children’s Learning Space in Myanmar Project Location Myanmar Project Natures Children and Youth Development Church and Community Mobilisation Project Objectives Fill the education gap in Myanmar, especially for underprivileged children and dropouts. Arouse awareness of child protection among poor communities. Beneficiaries Children and orphans in slums and IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camps No. of Beneficiaries 460 Key Activities Informal education: 4 days a week (teaching English and Burmese, mathematics, social behaviours, character building, child protection information sharing, arts & crafts) Provide basic stationaries, books, and snacks Teacher training and meetings (with church partnership: human resources and venue) Bible teaching (Sunday School) in some learning spaces Trauma counselling for the children in need Project Period Jan 2024

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Rural Development Project in Mon State, Myanmar

Project Name Rural Development Project in Mon State, Myanmar Project Location Myanmar Project Natures Urban and Rural Development Peace and Reconciliation Humanitarian Relief and Disaster Risk Reduction Project Objectives Promote the integral development of children and youth, focusing on their physical, mental, social, and spiritual well-being in target communities. Bring hope to the community, particularly to the younger generation during times of conflict. Beneficiaries Community members including children and teachers, field leaders, youths No. of Beneficiaries 831 Key Activities Children’s Education: 150 students receiving education allowances for stationery and books, and covering the salaries of 3 teachers. Youth Development: integral development training, living allowances for youths, and leadership training. Health: health workshops, medical support, and counselling workshops. Income

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Rural Development Project in Karen State, Myanmar

Project Name Rural Development Project in Karen State, Myanmar Project Location Myanmar Project Natures Urban and Rural Development Peace and Reconciliation Humanitarian Relief and Disaster Risk Reduction Project Objectives Improve the living standards of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the target areas through house repairs, community farms, income-generating activities (IGA), and animal husbandry training. Secure learning opportunities for the children and youth from poor families by providing education sponsorship and skill training. Beneficiaries Community members including children and teachers, field leaders, youths No. of Beneficiaries 1,276 Key Activities House Repairing: 8 IDP houses refurbished Economic Development: IGA for women; vocational training for youth Farming and Husbandry: Sustainable farming training; provision of seeds; livestock given to 10 IDP families

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