March 18, 2020
It has been impossible to miss the impact of Coronavirus on the day-to-day life of people in the UK. We are already witnessing the global effects of COVID-19, with reports of disruption to daily life all over the world apparent in just a quick glance at the news. As we are all being called upon to make sacrifices to protect the health of our global community, we wanted to take this opportunity to keep you up-to-date with the actions All We Can is taking.
In this unprecedented situation, All We Can remains committed to the vulnerable communities we serve. Our staff in the UK are currently working from home where possible to help reduce the spread of the virus – but our relationships with people living in some of the world’s poorest communities remain strong. Our vital work continues.
All We Can seeks to walk alongside the local organisations that we work with, collaboratively coming together to pursue a world where every person’s potential can be fulfilled. By being relational, rather than contractual, we can be flexible in how we support the organisations we are working with.
We support them so that they are resilient, when the bad times come.
We support them so that they can respond quickly, when urgent need arises.
We support them so that they are strong, and have firm foundations for the future.
Our commitment to these local organisations is not one-off – it is for the long term. We stand with local communities, sharing in their joys and successes – but also in the face of disasters and emergencies. Although now is a time for us to be physically separated from one another, we want to assure you that All We Can’s work with vulnerable communities will continue. The measures which we must use to help prevent the spread of disease – practising good hygiene and washing our hands, for example – are considerably harder in countries where access to sanitation facilities are limited. To help prevent this pandemic from devastating the most vulnerable communities, our solidarity and support is needed now more than ever.
Revd Dr Barbara Glasson, President of the Methodist Conference, said: ‘The current advice on managing the Coronavirus pandemic asks us to separate from the people we love. As we feel the pain and isolation of this reality, I’m encouraged that never the less All We Can seeks to maintain relationships of love and solidarity across the world. Having seen it for myself when I visited local people and organisations in Zimbabwe I can testify that All We Can’s partnership approach is built on bonds of great depth, mutual-support, loyalty and Christian love. In this way, although currently unable to travel to partners across the world, the All We Can team are able to sustain, to nourish and enable the very poorest to find hope. I encourage you to continue to support people living in some of the world’s poorest communities through All We Can’s ministry throughout this global crisis.’
In these uncertain times, All We Can is grateful for your ongoing compassion and support. Please continue to hold the communities All We Can serves in your prayers.
We have developed a devotional resource for those who are feeling anxious and desiring to focus on God in these troubled times, which you can find here. Our phone lines and emails will also be open as normal, Monday – Friday between 9am and 5pm for anyone who would like a listening ear, or someone to pray with them.
