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Greetings!
June is generally an upbeat month in the U.S. It's the time for graduations, weddings, and summer vacations--all sorts of new beginnings. In Sudan it's the welcome start of the rainy season, bringing precious water for the people and fresh grazing grass for the lean cattle, a bit of relief from the intense heat, and renewed hope for plots of maize and cabbage and onions after the long and often deadly "hungry months."
During our March-April visit to Sudan, we learned that the women in one village have composed a jubilant song in honor of Mercy Beyond Borders, referring to us as "a fat cow that feeds the whole village" and a "reason for dancing." High praise, indeed! Mercy Beyond Borders passes these culturally-colorful compliments on to you, whose generosity makes all of it possible.
Thank you,
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Did You Know? |
Fast Facts from Oxfam and the United Nations
Chronic Hunger
Southern Sudan: 18%
Northern Sudan: 8%
Female Literacy
Southern Sudan: 7%
Northern Sudan: 52%
Complete Child Immunitzations
Southern Sudan: 10%
Northern Sudan: 57% |
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Tech Tips |
In just 2 easy steps, you can sign up to be a "follower" of the MBB occasional blog written by Sr Marilyn. Clicking on it takes you directly to the latest blog.
Here's how to set it up:
1. Go to www.mercybeyondborders.blogspot.com 2. On the right column, click on "Follow."
Once you sign up, a small orange icon (a square with the letter "B" inside it) will appear at the top of your internet screen.
That's it. You're done! |
| Read Our Blogs | |
Mercy Beyond Borders blog provides a weekly commentary from MBB's founder, Marilyn Lacey, rsm, on MBB activities at home and abroad.
Mercy in Sudan blog
chronicles the experiences of Kathleen Connolly, rsm, who moved to Africa in Jan 2009. She is living at St Bakhita School in Sudan. |
Help us spread the word about MBB by forwarding this eNewsletter to friends who may be interested. Simply click on the above button. |
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Archived Newsletters
You can find previous issues of this newsletter in the below links.
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New Partnership in S. Sudan
When you travel in Africa, you notice many failed projects: elaborate equipment that no longer works or large buildings standing empty and in disrepair. All too often, well-meaning outsiders have imposed their own solutions onto local settings, and the results either did not fit the culture or were (for any number of reasons) unsustainable for the people living there. MBB avoids such problems by partnering with local organizations and local leaders. We are not in the business of "making a name for ourselves" in Sudan. For the most part, MBB provides resources for efforts already underway, such as girls' schools or women's groups; in some cases, where needed, we initiate projects such as micro-enterprise loans. Always, we listen to what the local women tell us would be helpful.
Mercy Beyond Borders is delighted to announce another partnership, established in Rumbek during our April trip to Sudan, with the Mennonite Desk for Women's Programs. Kaitlyn Jantzi, seconded (loaned) to Sudan by the Mennonite Central Committee in the U.S. for 3 yrs of service in Southern Sudan, is expanding women's programs throughout the Diocese of Rumbek, an area that covers thousands of square miles. MBB is providing Kaitlyn with funds for women's development projects in the villages of Marial Lou, Agangrial, Yirol and Rumbek. Next month's eNews will include stories of courageous women from these women's groups.
From Mapuordit, a town several hours southeast of Rumbek, Australian Sister Philippa thanks MBB for the solar lanterns we sent to the 12 female students of the high school she heads (a school of 12 girls and 208 boys). The lanterns enable the girls to study at night, since they must spend the daylight hours doing household chores. Philippa emailed MBB after the lanterns arrived:
Our students have written a song: "Education is the light, education is the way, education is the future; come along and build the future."
We sincerely thank all those associated with MBB for helping us 'build the future' with our young women in Mapuordit.....These young women have sat in the 'darkness' with little access to formal education; they have struggled with their studies, trying to read by the flicker of a flame from a nearby fire. They are very happy to have the solar lamps [allowing] them to read and study after school hours. Thank you f
or providing the 'light' for an excellent education. |
We're Growing
 Thanks to the ongoing generosity of more than 1,000 supporters throughout the U.S., Mercy Beyond Borders is growing. Our revenue in 2009 jumped threefold compared to 2008. More importantly, our projects in Sudan also grew in scope and geographic reach. Watch for details in our 2009 Annual Report, which will be published on the MBB website this summer. Meanwhile, MBB gladly welcomes Coleen Higa as its new part-time staffer to assist Sr Marilyn with office duties. Coleen has worked with refugees for many years in the SF Bay Area and brings both personal warmth and organizational skills to MBB. Welcome, Coleen! |
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| Ambassador Of The Month
Tony Girlando, Ph.D
 Professor Girlando, who teaches in the Business Department at St. Joseph College in Standish, Maine, has donated to MBB annually since its inception and encourages his colleagues to do the same: "Supporting Mercy Beyond Borders helps me be a bit less egocentric and reminds me that a little help makes a dramatic difference in many unfortunate parts of the world. I believe MBB's focus on educating women is key to sustainable economies and a more peaceful world." Ambassadors volunteer to raise $1,000 each year for Mercy Beyond Borders. For more information, or to become an Ambassador, contact Marilyn Lacey at mercybeyondborders@yahoo.com |
You're receiving this email because of your interest in MERCY BEYOND BORDERS. MBB was founded in 2008 by three colleagues-- a Sister of Mercy, a university professor, and a medical doctor--determined to improve the lives of displaced women and children living in extreme poverty. We are a 501(c)(3) registered in California and committed to linking U.S. resources with displaced women & children overseas. We are currently targeting Southern Sudan, which has one-quarter of the world's displaced peoples.
Please feel free to forward this to others who may be interested in hearing about us.
Sincerely,
 Sister Marilyn Lacey
Executive Director
Donations to support the work of Mercy Beyond Borders can be made online by clicking on the button above or sent to Mercy Beyond Borders, 1885 De La Cruz Blvd #101, Santa Clara CA 95050-3000. |
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