Annual Appeal for CGI’s Fund for International Solidarity
Let all that you do be done in love. – 1 Corinthians 16, 14
Dear National Presidents of the SSVP Worldwide,
A short time ago, you received our Annual Appeal for CGI’s Fund for International Solidarity (FIS), “Better Together”. This is a gentle reminder that our appeal is ongoing. It is not too late to make a contribution if you have not done so already. The text of the appeal is attached here for your convenience, to share with your Councils/Conferences and post it to your website for wider circulation.
Thank you to all who responded positively and with immediate action prior to our April 1st end date! Your support is greatly appreciated and will allow us to continue to help our brothers and sisters experiencing emergencies now and throughout this coming year.
As this is our annual appeal, a separate one for Ukraine will not be issued. Rest assured that any contributions made on their behalf would be allocated to them, to help all who are directly impacted by the war. We are also working with the Vincentian Family so we may be able to reach more displaced people and provide more support that may otherwise be beyond our scope.
CGI has also signed two declarations against war, one with FamVin and the other with the UN. On March 5th, the Board approved four resolutions regarding Ukraine.
Although the circumstances in Ukraine are dire, our mandate is to provide financial assistance globally. We encourage you to please make contributions “unrestricted” so we can help all countries struggling with circumstances that require intervention.
Examples of requests currently waiting for support are: cyclones and floods in Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi, and the permanent disaster in Lebanon (refugees, Beirut explosion, economic/political crisis…). Some development projects we have been asked to support include: education in Costa Rica, homelessness in Nicaragua and the expansion of SSVP in Mexico and other countries, including those assisting with refugees.
As you know, SSVP is involved in crises long term. We are at our strongest, rebuilding communities, once the media and other agencies have gone home. Whether it is Ukraine or any other country, this is the time our members will need our help the most. Unrestricted funds allow us to go where the greatest need exists.
Our ability to immediately help our members worldwide during these tragic situations depends on your generosity during our annual appeal. We do not solicit funds from any other source. Due to global circumstances, we have extended our appeal to June 1st.
It is not too late to give!
Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6, 2
Being better together means bringing hope to our brothers and sisters around the world so they know they are not alone or forgotten. Being better together shows our strength in numbers as we rise above adversity. Being better together makes us one in body and spirit with He who loves us. We are all drops of water from the same ocean.
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” – Mother Teresa
It is not too late to give!
Please email cgi.fis@ssvpglobal.org to get directions on how to contribute.
Together in Christ,
| Carmela Addante | Renato Lima de Oliveira |
| Fund for International Solidarity (FIS) | 16º President General Internacional |
| President | cgi.16president@ssvpglobal.org |
| cgi.fis@ssvpglobal.org |
