Author: CEDAR Fund

Slums are a phenomenon of economic takeoff and rapid urbanisation in some developing countries, and they are also a symbol of inequality between the rich and the poor. Next to the modern skyscrapers, there are a dense pile of old houses. Sewage, narrow alleys, and broken walls have become ‘scene panels’ for poor areas; the tourists’ cameras reflect helpless and lost faces. Poverty is not a problem to be solved overnight. Only by allowing poor friends to discover their potential and realise they are also self-sufficient can people on the poverty line’s edge live with dignity. CEDAR provides resources for low-income families in different countries to learn livelihood skills. Also, it supports religious, family relations and financial management

Changing the lives of communities, apart from the efforts of community residents, also requires the cooperation of public policies. Residents, social welfare organisations, and regional officials should all participate in public policy discussions and make suggestions for improvement to enhance the rights and interests of poor communities. CEDAR believes that the poor can contribute to their communities. Therefore, we make advocacy from an institutional perspective and promote citizen participation, educate residents in slums to understand the issues that affect the community’s well-being, drive discussions among residents, and organise various issue groups to allow them to participate in the advocacy work. Advocacy Projects

Pregnant women and newborn babies cannot receive medical and health protection. Ethnic minorities with AIDs delay treatment due to language barriers and lack of knowledge of AIDS. Families in slums do not have masks and soap during the severe epidemic. All this still happens among poor communities worldwide today, and living healthily is a luxury for them. Even though they may not die immediately, their health worsens daily due to insufficient medical resources, lack of hygiene knowledge, and a meagre salary. CEDAR helps people experiencing poverty and hopes they can have a healthy life. We not only fund the establishment of community clinics in slums but also support partners to provide health and nutrition knowledge to poor communities,

Natural disasters are inevitable, and unnatural disasters are helpless. What believers can do is lend a helping hand in times of difficulty and live the gospel. Whenever a disaster occurs, CEDAR adopts the method of ‘funding first, then fundraising’ – first remit the funds needed for the rescue project to partners in the disaster area so that the victims can receive assistance as soon as possible and simultaneously appeal to believers to contribute. This will prevent the frontline rescue work from being affected by the level of fundraising. If we raise more funds than we have allocated, we can allocate more funds according to the needs of the victims so that more victims can receive practical help. Since

Matthew chapter 25, verses 31 to 46, talks about the rules of God’s judgment, including whether we have cared for hungry, sick, or naked people. Taking care of the physical needs of people with low incomes is no less than their spiritual needs. CEDAR set up a savings group in slum areas and established a small loan fund. Villagers participating in the group can start small businesses with loans and improve their livelihoods in the long run, which is more effective than one-off relief assistance. Livelihood Development Projects

What is the mission of the church? Apart from preaching the gospel and making disciples of Christ, what else should the church do? The church is a part of the community. For community residents, what role does the church play? Is the church dispensable for non-believers? For a long time, CEDAR has cared about the poor we help and promoted Integral Mission, nurturing and encouraging churches, Christian institutions, and believers to live out what we believe in, preaching and practising and witnessing the gospel’s power in the community. Church and Community Mobilisation Projects Karongi Church Empowerment Zone Advocacy for Thailand Karen Minority Rights Thai-Myanmar Border Development (next phase) Hong Kong Ministry One Resettling Internally Displaced Persons in Sadon