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Dear friends,
We are currently facing a season of global uncertainty. While COVID-19 continues to spread, more and more countries face lock downs. School and community buildings are being closed, limiting people's access to much needed social programs.
While we don't know how COVID-19 will fully impact our programs in the future, please know ERDO is actively working in vulnerable communities where there are no safety nets and where people are already living in survival mode.
We've seen the beginning of COVID-19's impact on our work. Children who were part of supplementary in-school food assistance programs now do not have access to these critical meals. In parts of the world where the prevalence of malnutrition is already very high, this puts children at risk. We also know, with school and other lock downs, COVID-19 is causing a delay in receiving and forwarding letters from sponsored children. Please make sure you send your current email address to info@erdo.ca, so we can keep you updated as quickly as possible.
As of right now, most of our ChildCARE Plus students are at home because of restrictions in movement across the world. Now, our CCP program is more important than ever as our partners work hard to communicate with students and fill food, healthcare needs and education while at a distance.
Thankfully, as a small organization we have been quite nimble, both within Canada and in our program areas worldwide. Shutting down our Canadian offices in accordance with the Ontario government our staff is now working remotely. We are open for receiving donations and providing customer service, but not within our usual building. Secure technology has been a blessing to keep our ministry working through this pandemic and eforced isolation. Our in-country partners have also been adapting to the situation and are creating new ways to continue their ministry.
Be assured we will continue to provide updates on the ongoing response through social media and this web page, as we are in daily communication with our program partners and are actively engaged in conversations about the children and families we serve. The welfare of these children, their families and our partners are critical to us.
We can and are actively looking for new ways to serve our communities despite complete or partial lock downs. We are currently raising funds for Food for Kids, which will help mitigate some of the lack of access to proper nutrition during and after the crisis.
Lastly, we urge all our supporters to pray without ceasing. Pray for the leaders of nations, pray for the frontline healthcare workers, pray for our global workers and in-country partners holding fast in their mission fields and pray for the children we serve and their families.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
Praying for you and your family,
David Adcock, CEO, and the ERDO Team
For over 35 years, ERDO has empowered people to break the cycle of poverty. With your help, we have brought clearn water, hygiene and sanitation to developing countries. We have worked to educate children, allowing them to move forward in professional careers. We have responded to world crises, and provided refugees, famiies facing drought, civil unrest and natural disaster, with emergency food assistance and other supports. Thank you for praying for us and assisting us during this difficult time.