Strength, confidence and dreams for the future

Our STAR site in India works with many rural communities in the state of Tamil Nadu. A great deal of families in these communities are affected with stigmatized illnesses, which makes it difficult for them find work and housing. Our site also works with many children living with cognitive and physical disabilities. With the right support, these children are able to access essential resources that help them succeed in school, such as nutritious food, medical care, and tutoring! Venkateswari, a young lady currently in our sponsorship program, is a shining example of how the strength and potential of each child can be encouraged through love and support.

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Lenten Recipe: Kenyan Chickpea Curry

Photo via MasterClass

If you’re abstaining from meat over the Lenten season, here’s another wonderful meatless dish you can make! Or, you can just make it because it’s delicious.

This is a vegetable curry typical to the Kenyan Indian community. The soaking step is a must if you desire soft and crunchy chickpeas, and to fully release the nutrients! In Kenya, this deliciously spicy dish is commonly referred to as “Chole” and is eaten with fried bread called “Bhature” made from soft wheat flour. Chickpea curry is eaten as part of a main meal during lunch or dinner and is savoured by the entire family.

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COVID-19: updates and information

We at Chalice are closely monitoring updates on the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We are working diligently to ensure that our operations continue safely. We will continue to update all of our supporters with the most recent information we have regarding our response to COVID-19.

Current updates as of April 3, 2020:

-Our head office in Bedford, Nova Scotia, is currently closed to all visitors as a safety precaution until further notice.

-We are still open during our regular hours, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. AST, Monday to Friday. In our efforts to practice social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus, some of our staff is working remotely. We can be contacted at 1.800.776.6855 or by emailing info@chalice.ca. Due to staff working remotely, forwarding may be delayed, but rest assured, we will work to promptly return your inquiry.

-All Parish appeals are suspended until further notice due to the Canadian government’s recommendation to limit social gatherings.

-All international staff travel is suspended until further notice.

– Our July mission to Ukraine has been postponed until 2021 (dates to be confirmed). We continue to prepare for this and our November 2020 mission to India, while remaining attentive to how the situation develops in the weeks and months ahead.

-We are working diligently to ensure that all of our programs continue to run effectively, and that all donations and funds continue to be sent to our sponsor sites in a timely manner.

Sponsored children updates

Africa: 

-All Kenyan schools and colleges are closed in compliance with a directive issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday March 16.  All public gatherings have also been suspended so Family Circle meetings in Kenya are on hold until further notice.

-Ghana, Kenya and Tanzania have closed their borders, imposed travel restrictions and blocked foreign entry so there can be no sponsor visits until further notice.

Ukraine:

– Ukraine has closed its borders to all international travel. All schools are closed and there are restrictions on movement within cities and villages. All points of sale are closed with the exception of grocery stores and pharmacies. Public transportation is reduced. All employees are to work from home.

– All parent group meetings and site gatherings are suspended. Our site offices are closed with key staff accessible and working remotely. These current government directed restrictions are in place until March 30. Our sites will continue to monitor the situation and fully comply with all directives put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Haiti:

-Haiti has closed its borders to all international travel from Europe, USA, and Canada.  The border with the Dominican Republic is closed. At this time, our site offices are still open but they have implemented enhanced hygiene practices and readjusted work spaces to provide greater personal space. All parent group meetings and large site gatherings are suspended until further notice.

Latin America:

-Many areas have declared a state of emergency and schools are closed until further notice. Many areas have curfews and mobility restrictions. Staff who can are working from home, and some of our site offices are still open with a restricted staff.

India: 

-All of our site buildings in India are currently closed due to a government order to cease in-person operations. Most of our sites are able to received funds as normal. All schools are closed until further notice, and Family Circle meetings are suspended.

Philippines: 

-Some of our site offices are open with limited staff. All families are given a pass to leave their homes once a day to retrieve groceries and supplies, but the country is otherwise practicing quarantining and social distancing.

 

What can I do to help?

At this time, we have no emergency fund set up specifically for COVID-19, but we will update you as soon as we receive word of any new developments.

Thanks to our many previously existing projects and programs regarding clean water, health, hygiene and sanitation, many of our sponsor sites have good knowledge of proper hygiene practices. You can help support these initiatives by:

Prayer

Please join us in prayer for the health and safety of our sponsored children and their families, the communities where we work, our staff and supporters around the world, and all of those affected by the virus:

“Heavenly Father, during this time of anxiety and distress, we ask for your protection for our sponsored children and elderly, our supporters, staff, volunteers, and all who are burdened in any way by this pandemic. Bless all who are now sick and bring them quickly to restoration of good health. Shield and protect all healthcare workers. Guide governments in their decisions and help them to work together to contain the disease and stop the spread. Welcome into your Kingdom all who have died and bring comfort to their families.

Most Holy Trinity, we place all our hope in you. You are our strength and our shield; in You our hearts trust; so we are helped and our hearts exult; and with our song we give thanks to You. (Psalm 28:7)”

COVID-19 informational resources:

For the most up-to-date information regarding COVID-19, please visit the following websites:

Government of Canada 

World Health Organization

Meatless Red Ukrainian Borscht

Photo credit: The Culinary Couple

Borscht is a delicious and famous traditional Ukrainian dish. In Ukraine, this frugal dish can be made with a number of low-cost fresh ingredients grown in home gardens. It’s versatile, easy to make, and packed with essential vitamins and nutrients!

“There’s green borscht and other variations, but red borscht is by far the most popular,” says Halyna, our Pochaiv site director. “There’s both meat and meatless variations of red borscht. Meat is expensive, so it’s usually saved for special occasions. For Lent, we cook the meatless version. It’s also a must-have meatless dish for Holy Eve dinner.”

Meatless Red Ukrainian Borscht 

Sent by: Halyna, our Pochaiv site director

Ingredients:

  • 4 medium onions
  • 4 carrots
  • 3-4 celery stalks
  • 1 leek stalk
  • 2 red beets
  • 2 cups of white cabbage
  • 5 medium potatoes
  • 2-3 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 1-2 bay leaves
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2-3 whole peppercorns
  • 1 tsp vinegar
  • 3 litres of water
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2-3 tbsp oil for frying

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Five-year-old girl healthy after heart surgery

When Harichandana was born five years ago, doctors immediately noticed something unusual with her heart. They diagnosed her with a Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD), a hole between the heart’s lower chambers. Her parents were heartbroken. Their newborn baby was referred to a children’s hospital in Nellore, India, for a rigorous round of tests. Having studied the case thoroughly, doctors recommended to wait for surgery as Harichandana was still too small to undergo an operation. The family decided to forgo the surgery and take their daughter for health checkups every year on a regular basis.

Weeks rolled into months, and months into years. Suddenly, on September 25, 2019, Harichandana suffered from severe breathlessness and a terrible cough. She was rushed to the hospital, and doctors advised Harichandana’s parents to prepare her for an immediate open heart surgery. Unfortunately, the family was barely making ends meet on their income of $55 CAD a month. They couldn’t afford the hefty cost of the surgery, adding up to nearly $4700 CAD.

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A closer look: Pochaiv site, Ukraine

We’re going on mission! From July 6-20th, 2020, we will be travelling with a team of Canadian volunteers to our Pochaiv site in Ukraine. This incredible mission of love, well being, and prosperity will allow volunteers to serve and support our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, all while learning about Ukrainian culture and customs. Let’s take a closer look at our Pochaiv site and all of the ways mission volunteers can get involved.

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Smashing misconceptions in Kodaikanal, India

Gender discrimination happens no matter where you live. Despite the efforts of the United Nations and many other organizations all over the world, this form of discrimination is still persistent in all areas of public and private life around the world today.

Our partners at our sites work diligently in their communities to break the many barriers caused by gender discrimination. Through workshops, information sessions and resources given to parents of sponsored children, progress is being made, especially in improving educational opportunities for girls.

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Vulnerable students can now attend school safely

St. Odilia’s School, a part of Chalice’s Kawambwa site, is located in the remote community of Mporokoso, Zambia. Community members must travel to access basic amenities, such as the hospital and retail district. This is a challenge for St. Odilia’s students, because of the 172 students enrolled, almost a quarter of them are blind or partially-sighted. Another 15% of the students have albinism. These children are vulnerable because there is a rare but prevailing traditional ritual in the region that involves harming albino people.

Since it’s too hazardous for the students to rely on walking or public transit, they must be shuttled to any daily activity. It was a profound blessing when generous donors covered the cost of a 30-seater bus for the school! They also covered the cost of insurance, fuel, and tires. As soon as the bus was registered, the Sisters and children had a celebration and blessed it in gratitude!

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How sponsorship supports the whole family

Child sponsorship is not just designed to benefit a child in need; it benefits their entire family. Our approach is all about sustainability. With the right support, families can gain the tools and knowledge necessary to take steps towards a better future. The Bustamente family is an inspiring example of the lasting effects that sponsorship has on each member of a family!

Gladys and Reynaldo have five children, and live in the rural mountains of La Paz, Bolivia, a fair distance from the urban bustle of the city. Raising five children on Reynaldo’s income as a carpenter proved to be impossible. It was incredibly difficult for Gladys and Reynaldo to provide enough food for all of their children. This, in turn, affected the children’s ability to attend and succeed in school.

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“If love is in your heart, you are in the palms of God”

Katya, a young woman from our Ternopil site in Ukraine, has a favourite quote that she often reflects on: “If love is in your heart, you are in the palms of God.” Katya’s been sponsored for the past 11 years, and tries her best to spread the love of God with others. “The main calling of each person is to love others and be ready to help them, therefore fulfilling God’s will,” Katya smiles.

Looking at sincere, balanced, and thoughtful Katya, it’s hard to believe that she’s lived through so much tragedy and sadness. When Katya was just two years old, her mother passed away in a car accident. Katya and her siblings were left orphaned and heartbroken. Their loving grandmother adopted the four children, and tried her best to provide for a good life for them.

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