As weather patterns have fluctuated, farmers like 60-year-old Nahimana Marceline in Makamba province, Burundi, are facing more extended dry periods. "The rain delays and it is not sufficient," she says. Then, when it comes, it may be a deluge that destroys the crops.
 
In response, MCC partner Help Channel Burundi is offering farmers new techniques to increase production and deal with the impact of climate change. For example, "Now we mulch our farms. With this technique, we save water, and It does not run away. When we mulch, we keep moisture in the field. Even if the rain were little, mulching kept the soil humid. Later on, those grasses used for mulching will become manure to feed the soil." She also uses contour lines in her land to fight against erosion and encourage water to seep slowly into the ground and feed the crops.
 
"I had a fear of not having enough food," she says. "But since now I am learning new techniques, there’s hope. Even (though) I am getting old, I will pass on the knowledge learned here to my offspring and then continue the chain of development."
 
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ!
May we open our hearts to their stories.

Right now, many pregnant women around the world are walking over two hours to reach life-saving health care.
Your compassion can offer a solution. Just $7.03 can provide a round-trip motorcycle ride for one expecting mother in Uganda—and beyond.
https://donation.mcccanada.ca/?where=22SPR-homepage
 
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ 

In Bangladesh, members of Indigenous communities often face prejudice and may be excluded even from places like tea shops. Through an MCC-supported project, Maristela Mardy (pink sari), a member of the marginalized Mahali community, and Tarikul Islam, a professional singer from the majority Muslim community, visit Muslim neighborhoods together, using tea and food to challenge stereotypes and build peace and understanding.
https://www.facebook.com/MCCpeace/
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ ​

MCC partner Charitable Foundation Uman Help Center (UMAN) distributes MCC relief buckets, hygiene kits, comforters and other humanitarian supplies to families impacted by the conflict in Ukraine.

In central Ukraine, UMAN provides food assistance to local vulnerable residents and internally displaced people. UMAN purchases meat and other ingredients, prepares it, and sends ready-to-eat meals to areas where there are food shortages. They also send food kits to conflict hot spots and to those who could not get evacuated.
https://mcc.org/stories/crisis-ukraine
 
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ ​

Aziza, a 29-year-old mother living in Beirut, Lebanon, spends almost all her husband’s income on hospital visits, oxygen and medication to treat her six-month-old son’s lung disease.
 
The family, who lives in a one-room house with a leaky roof, had funds for little else, including food, until they started receiving monthly food vouchers. Mennonite Central Committee’s (MCC) Lebanese partner Popular Aid for Relief and Development (PARD) distributes them.
 
“The quantity of food we’re eating increased, and there’s more variety in it,” says Aziza, expressing the relief of being able to feed her five children, all under 8 years old. “What does a mother want other than seeing her children eating and feeling happy?”
 
The vouchers enabled Aziza to buy things she previously could not, like chicken, milk and cheese — important sources of protein for her children. The food vouchers also have allowed her to save some money to pay for her son’s medical care.
https://mcccanada.ca/stories/amid-economic-disaster-lebanon
 
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ 

I just wanted to send a quick note to say thank you. 
This Easter, you—and other caring Canadians of faith just like you—reached out in love to protect vulnerable families in the deserts of Ethiopia and beyond. 
When others stepped back or looked away, you made their wellbeing a priority. In fact, over the last few weeks, you—together with other generous MCC supporters—raised over $450,000 for families fleeing violent conflict around the world. 
What an incredible gift you've given!
We are so grateful that no matter the disaster... no matter the conflict... you are there. 
The people of Ethiopia have been forgotten by so many. 
But not by you. 
Thank you for your continued care and compassion. We feel so fortunate to have you walking alongside us in this work. 
Blessings, John Head

MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ

There is a severe shortage of food and humanitarian supplies as a result of the conflict in Tigray, with more than 90% of the population there in urgent need of assistance. As part of your Easter worship, you can help families who have been displaced from their homes and are in need of critical care. For example, in Ethiopia a palm mat shelter (tent) costs just $81.94.
https://donation.mcccanada.ca/?where=22EAS-homepage
 
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ

If you have access the internet, I beg you to listen to Episode 16 of Undercurrents. Actually, I beg you to listen to all of these Mennonite Central Committee podcasts at https://anchor.fm/undercurrents. Here is the description for this episode:
 
“We go back in time to investigate the heart-pounding, sweaty-palm-inducing thrill of the greatest quilt auction ever caught on tape. Join us for a fun bonus episode of Undercurrents that will whet your appetite for the coming relief sale season!”
 
Check out all things New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale at their website - https://nhmrs.com/ - including a photo of the Renske’s newest (and last) feature quilt.
 
MCC - Relief, development, and peace in the name of Christ

With the eyes of the world on Covid-19 and now Ukraine, the displacement of Palestinians and violent harassment from settlers are only increasing. One of the largest threatened displacements in the South Hebron Hills involves the Masafer Yatta area, with its 1,300 residents who have lived there for generations.
 
In opposition to international law, which prohibits the expulsion of a population from its land and the use of occupied land for military training, in the early 1980s, the Israeli army declared the area Firing Zone 918, in order to dispossess Palestinians from their homes and strengthen Israeli settlements in the area.
 
Since this declaration, residents have lived under the daily threat of demolitions, evictions, and dispossession. Families in Masafer Yatta are denied access to their land, roads, sources of water, schools, medical services, and hospitals. This is in addition to nearly daily violence from settlers in the region.
 
For information about how you can help and how to become part of MCC PIN, contact Byron Rempel-Burkholder at brempelburkholder@gmail.com or Kathy Bergen at bergenkathy@gmail.com.
 
The Mennonite Church Canada Palestine and Israel Network (PIN) is a volunteer association of working groups and individuals who seek to promote a just peace in the Holy Land. Our mandate is the resolution on Palestine and Israel that was passed at the Mennonite Church Canada 2016 Assembly, in response to the call of Palestinian Christians. https://www.mennonitechurch.ca/pin
 
Photo by محمود جمال مخامرة