The Canadian Friends of CRS held their 6th Annual Penny Pot Tea on 2nd April. 72 people gathered at the Church of the Holy Trinity in White Rock, British Columbia, to see the 2015-2016 Penny Pots opened. Over the last year supporters had been putting nickels, dimes, quarters, Loonies and Twoonies in their pots. An incredible C$2,000 was raised. To this was added a further C$3,000 from cheques received from other donors. These funds will be transferred to CRS in Kolkata shortly. During the tea party everyone enjoyed sharing refreshments together including Indian “chai”, Keith’s popular cucumber sandwiches and cakes that guests had brought. Many also took part in a “spin to win” wheel to win Vancouver’s famous Purdy’s chocolates. Items made by women from CRS’s empowerment programme were also for sale.
Sewing their way to success
Tailoring and embroidery is the most popular skill development programme for girls and women at CRS centres. Courses run every year from April through to March. On 17th March, 125 students from six different CRS centres in Kolkata gathered together in the portico of St Paul’s Cathedral for their end of year evaluation. Over four hours, the students had to complete a series of tasks to demonstrate skills they had learned during their course. This included embroidering a flower; demonstrating hemming, darning, and picot stitch along the edge of cloth; and measuring, cutting and stitching a shirt and a bag. An external evaluator from a government training institution reviewed the practical work completed on the day, as well as the portfolios of work completed throughout the year. The students were presented with their results and a certificate of completion by senior representatives from Larsen & Toubro, the company providing support for part of women’s empowerment programme.
Open wide!
Men, women and children in the slum community of Bibibagan lined up on 15th March to have their teeth examined and learn about the importance of dental health. The dental camp, offering free check-ups for underprivileged people, was funded by Larsen and Toubro, the Indian company that has been supporting a number of CRS activities as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programme. After receiving a check-up and advice on improving dental health, participants were given an oral hygiene pack to take home. It is hoped that they will share what they learned about looking after their teeth with family and friends.
Saving lives by giving blood
The port
ico of St Paul’s Cathedral in Kolkata was converted into a makeshift clinic on 15th March as volunteers lined up to donate blood and help save the lives of others. The event was organised by Life Care Bank in collaboration with CRS and supported by the Indian company Larsen & Toubro. In total over 100 people attended, 60 of whom were eligible to give blood. Donors rested on lines of beds and recovered afterwards with tea or glucose water; they were also given food packets and a small token of appreciation from Larsen & Toubro.
Chair of UK Friends ordained as a Bishop
On 24th February, the Right Reverend Mike Harrison, who is the Chair of the UK Friends of CRS, was ordained and consecrated Bishop of Dunwich in the St Edmundsbury and Ipswich Diocese. The service took place in Westminster Abbey in London and was conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury (pictured left with Mike), supported by other bishops. It was a magnificent and moving occasion with the Abbey filled nearly to capacity. The ordination and consecration ceremony was interwoven into a service of Holy Communion, with the Eucharist as its crescendo. The UK Friends join in wishing Bishop Mike every blessing in his future ministry.