Ambassadors for the Poor

Success by Ambassadors for the Poor group!

2011-06-10T01:47:00.000-07:00

After a team visit to Burundi in 2010 a group of like minded people from Aberdeenshire set up an Ambassadors for the Poor group. Their main aim was to support two identifiable projects, firstly to raise funds and sponsors for the work going on at the Hope Centre and secondly to raise funds to provide a permanent water supply for the Nyembuye clinic. Both projects have greatly benefited from their efforts. The Hope Centre is seeing on-going development with new additional spin off projects planned for the near future and the Nyembuye clinic water supply project is about to get under way after a successful fundraising campaign by the group saw £15000 raised, the total required to complete the project.

Not all projects require large amounts of funding. For a few hundred pounds of input a small project can see a community or a family change for ever. Capital for 'prime the pump' funding allows a good project idea to be implemented so please consider what you can do to raise even a small amount of funding to help the poor.

Start a group in your area!

2010-08-20T07:35:00.000-07:00

Ambassadors for the poor is an initiative of Mission International which is set up to raise much needed support for poor individuals, families and communities in the developing world. Mission International would like to locate groups of Ambassadors for the poor in communities around the UK which will help us to raise the funding needed for small, medium and large projects designed to allow the poor to have the opportunity to break out of their current difficulties and plan for a better future.

This initiative provides small and medium grants and loans to start and drive small business forward. There is also the potential to develop a larger projects with community action in mind.

What about your area?

If you would consider setting up an Ambassadors for the poor group in your area then please get in touch and we can help you with materials and ideas.

Port Seton Christmas Fayre:

2009-12-12T02:51:00.000-08:00

Christmas Fayre a great success!

This year's Port Seton Christmas Fayre, held again in the local Community Centre was a roaring success, raising £965 for Mission International. Some of those organising and running the fayre were Burundi mission team members in July 2009. The experience of being on the team and the exciting stories told on their return spurred the group on to greater things again this year. Young and old alike got involved in the events planning and preparation making it a wonderful success, even Santa arrived to show his support and to provide some presents for the children who were there.
Stalls of all sorts were on hand for the shoppers, from cake and candy to knitwear, crafts and collectors items. "Its amazing what can be done to help the poor when a group of committed people get together" says Mission International director, Hugh Henderson. It has to be said, this is a committed group of people, now having run a number of Christmas and Easter Fayres to support Mission International.

Life changing support raised:
Ambassadors for the Poor groups can be set up anywhere in the country. Support is needed for projects in various parts of Africa and in Asia as well. The effect on a small community where a grant of £500-£1000 is given can be totally life changing for that community. Your group of committed friends could make a huge difference for a community who are currently praying that a link can be made with those who can help. Mission International is now setting up links between helpful people in the UK and needy communities in the developing world. The initiative is called 'Support Link', allowing your group to go even further by getting involved in a specific project in a more 'hands on' way. If you are interested in Support Link pleas visit our blog to find out more information.

Everyone gets involved:
An occasion like this can become a whole community event where young and old get involved. In fact those whose skills are currently latent and unseen can come to the fore allowing real purpose to be identified now and for the future. Here a couple of the youngsters in the team are serving food; they worked so very hard but at the end of the day were excited by the wonderful total they, with the others had achieved.

Burundian Guest:
Gervais Nyandwi and his new wife Esther not only attended the event but Esther's artistic skills ably supported by Gervais were used to provide a face painting service for the children, even some of the volunteers had the Mission International logo painted on their faces. Gervais is a member of the Rema Team who are Mission International partners in Burundi. He now resides with Esther in Scotland and hopes to become a strong supporter of the joint effort with Mission International to support the work of Rema in Burundi from his new home.
Thanks to everyone who got involved:
Mission International would like to formally thank everyone who took part in the Port Seton Christmas Fayre. It is evident that this group have a real heart to serve the poor and for that many people are grateful, in particular those who benefit from the funds raised.

These two sisters enjoyed their day at the Fayre, they visited all of the stalls, saw Santa and also enjoyed to food on supply. I think they may well become ambassadors for the poor one day.

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Church leader leads the way for the poor

2009-09-11T05:12:00.000-07:00

A family celebration focuses on raising support:
George Carratt, a Scottish church leader has raised over £400 to support the work of Mission International during his 50th birthday party. George, his wife Karen and the church they lead have been strong supporters of Mission International for some time and when they came up with the idea of a birthday fundraiser we were of course delighted.George informed his guests on the party invite and then made an announcement on the evening to ask that the folks might support Mission International rather than give expensive gifts to him on his birthday. This selfless option has made it possible for Mission International to bring much needed support to the poor in the developing world. A huge thank you to everyone who contributed.

George and his wife Karen enjoy some Scottish country dancing at the party.

Some of the dances were particularly complicated but the dancers were well able to cope with this since in Scotland school children are taught traditional dancing.
George and his mother reminisce about the 50 years that have passed. How could such a young lady have a 50 year old son?

To support the work of Mission International please use the options on the right hand column of this page.

Back to Mission International blog.

Bag Packing raises funds:

2009-09-06T09:56:00.000-07:00

A great fundraising effort at Somerfield:
There are many wonderful ways to raise funds to support the poor in the developing world. A team of Ambassadors for the Poor have now begun another new and fun way of raising funds. Bag packing at their local supermarket has, with the support of the many generous shoppers, helped this group to raise funds for their trip to Burundi in 2010.

To get going with an Ambassadors for the Poor group in your local area, or to find out about a place on a Mission team please get in touch with us on mail@mission-international.org A teams application form is available if you click here.

Back to Mission International blog.

Westhill Church raise support!

2009-08-20T01:03:00.000-07:00

A good idea raises funds for the poor:

Although this group are not registered 'Ambassadors for the Poor' they have shown initiative and have come up with a great idea.

The group ran a holiday Bible club and at the same time ran a cafe which raised funds for the Hope Centre in Burundi linking their Bible teaching with Bible practice.

To begin an ambassadors for the poor group please get in touch with us on mail@mission-international.org

Back to Mission International blog.

King of the Road!

2009-07-08T06:45:00.000-07:00

Marathon runner raises support for Hope Centre:

Grandmother Janet King has raised £1165 for the Hope Centre in Burundi by taking part in the Edinburgh Marathon. Janet, a hairdresser in Port Seton, met with a member of a local Ambassadors for the Poor group and agreed to find sponsors and raise funds for the Hope Centre. We are all delighted that Janet was able to finish the marathon safely and that she has become a donor to Mission International.

If you would like to start or become part of an Ambassadors for the Poor group then please let us know on mail@mission-international.org

If you would like to support Mission International or the Hope Centre in Burundi in particular then please use the options on the right column of this page.

More Fundaraising for Mission International:

2009-04-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

"Ambassadors for the Poor" fundraisers enjoy a great day together:

A group of Mission International's ''Ambassadors for the Poor'' spent a day selling their crafts, goods and food at an Easter Fayre recently to raise funds for the work of the charity. A group of young people have started their own craft club so they can learn to make new crafts and sell them to raise more funds. They love getting together and it seems they like to sell their stuff too, since they all worked so very hard at the Easter fayre. They served food, cleared tables and manned the stalls. Together they raised £600 for Mission International.

Here the craft group man their stall showing the remaining crafts, many were already sold before the picture was taken.

Lots of people came to browse and to buy as well as to enjoy the home made soup, stovies and the wide range of cakes and other tasty items.

Above: A young lad finds a treasure amongst the copious items for sale.

Below: A couple of the youngsters who helped out also played traditional music to entertain the shoppers as they browsed and enjoyed coffee and cake.

If you would like to supportthe work of Mission International by setting up an "Ambassadors for the Poor" group in your area then please contact us on mail@mission-international.org

Back to Mission International Blog page:

Fudraiser exceeds expectations!

2008-07-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Excitement as event is well supported:

A group of 'Ambassadors for the Poor' were thrilled recently as their fund raising event exceeded their expectations. The Group from Port Seton in East Lothian, Scotland really enjoyed their day as they served coffee and sold craft items to the public, who came in considerable numbers to support the event.

Busy Community Centre:
The group hired a large room in the local community centre and set up their stalls and laid out tables there. Some sold crafts they had made themselves and others catered for the visiting shoppers with tea, coffee and an array of delicious cakes and biscuits. "Everyone had a lovely time and went home feeling like their hard work would make a difference to someone". A Mission International display was set up to help answer questions and give more information to interested visitors.

Back to Mission International blog page.

School kids get involved!

2008-07-10T10:00:00.000-07:00

East Lothian school children work hard to make a difference:

This newspaper clipping describes the hard work and commitment of a class of kids in East Lothian who raised support for the work of Mission International.

Click on image to enlarge it.

Back to the Mission International blog page.

List of Mission International project brochures:

2008-07-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

Brochure list:
Below is a list of Brochures giving more details about some of the projects Mission International supports, feel free to print these off and use them in your fundraising activities.

seeds and tools project brochure 1
global citizen support fund brochure - mable nakazibwe
global citizen support fund brochure - francois nitunga
teacher project brochure 1
leprosy child sponsorship brochure 1
fishing project brochure 1
cow project brochure 1
bike project brochure 1
child sponsorship brochure ver 2 .1page
bible-a-month club leaflet
child sponsorship info leaflet
church building fellowship leaflet
mighty meals leaflet
scholastic materials brochure
teams brochure

Back to Mission International blog page:

Making a difference for someone:

2008-07-07T11:27:00.000-07:00

"Doing it is doing it"!

It seems like a very obvious statement 'Doing it is doing it', but very often we find ourselves thinking about it, discussing it, dreaming about it and so on but never actually getting round to doing it. That's why it is so refreshing to find folks who are willing just to get on a 'Do it'. A 'Go And Do It' couple from Port Seton in East Lothian, Jim and Beatrice McMurray, are continually serving the poor by making crafts for sale to raise funds for Mission International, as well as making clothes and blankets to be distributed to the poor in Africa (see photo above). Their efforts have encouraged all of us in Mission International as well as made a difference to those who have nothing in Africa. Keep on 'Doing it' Jim & Beatrice!

What about you?

If you would like to be an Ambassador for the poor, or would like to start a support group in your area, please get in touch with us and we will support and resource you as much as we can. Email us at mail@mission-international.org

Back to Mission International page.

A list of fund raising ideas:

2008-05-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

What can I do to help the poor?

There are many things that can be done to raise financial support to break the poor out of their personal 'poverty trap'. Even small amounts of funding can begin a worthwhile project or add to other small amounts to make sure a family is given the chance of a brighter future.

Projects:
Mission International has a wide range of projects already underway and here are a few examples:

Mighty Meals - £25 can feed a child in Africa for a whole academic year.

Cow project - From £300 we can provide a milk cow for a family giving a quality product to sell as well as provide a protein addition to their family diet.

Seeds & Tools project - £50 can provide basic tools and seeds for a family to begin rebuilding after national or local crisis.

Scholastic Materials - Some kids arrive at school with no resources, £5.00 can make sure they have a supply of pencils and paper, etc in order that they can gain the maximum from their lessons.

Sponsor a School Desk - Many schools have few resources and when children arrive for lessons they have to sit many to a desk or sit on the floor. A well made desk and seat combo can be purchased locally for £25 which can seat two children.

Sponsor a dormitory bed - Many children are forced to sleep in cramped and overcrowded conditions if they are somehow to gain an education. Many sleep two to a bed or more, this unsatisfactory sleeping arrangement makes their learning less effective, providing a bed and mattress will allow them a good uninterrupted night's sleep, this can be achieved for £50.

Fund a house for a family - Due to civil unrest, natural disaster and tragedy many families are left homeless, a small home can be constructed for around £1500, giving a place of refuge to a vulnerable family.

These are only some examples of what can be achieved to help poor an vulnerable people in some of the world's poorest communities.

These two girls worked hard at a coffee morning to make sure everyone was well supplied with drinks and food, the funds they raised went to purchase windows and doors for a school in Rwanda.

Fundraising ideas:

Coffee morning/sale of work.

Christmas/Easter craft sale.

Sponsored cycle/walk/run/three peaks event etc.

Dress down day/non-uniform day.

Ladies pamper event.

Boys toys event.

Dads 'n lads day out.

Clay pigeon shoot.

Ceilidh/barn dance.

Sports competition.

Car boot sale/garage sale/loft clear-out sale.

Ebay sale.

Bar-B-Q

Of course the list is endless and you may have other and better ideas that will raise some support, please register with us to become an 'Ambassador for the Poor' via the work of Mission International and we will help you in whatever way we can.

This sale of work was able to attract lots of local people, they were able to raise £800 clear at the end of the event.

Please note:

Mission International - managers of 'Ambassadors for the Poor', does not take any administration costs out of what you raise so you can be sure every penny of what you send to us will be used to support your preferred option.

Become Part of the 'Big Picture' in a small way.

2008-05-26T02:59:00.001-07:00

How can we help?
Someone once said "We can't help everyone everywhere, but we can help somebody somewhere". How true, but so many of us don't know where to begin to start helping 'someone'. Mission International's 'Ambassadors for the Poor' initiative links those who have the desire to help with those in great need around the world.

What can I do?
Ambassadors for the Poor groups around the UK are designed to raise funds in simple and creative ways. A coffee morning, a sponsored event like a sponsored walk, a car boot sale can all provide funds to begin a small project in the developing world that will change the lives of individuals, families and communities. Visit www.mission-international.org and look for the fundraising page to get some ideas for fundraising, if you have a tried and tested idea that has worked in your area, let us know and we will include it for others to use. Email us on mail@mission-international.org to register your 'Ambassadors for the poor'