FICDO - March 2021 Newsletter

Local authority officials visit FICDO's SOUL-2-SOUL program

Officials from the Women and Children’s Affairs Bureau paid a visit to FICDO's SOUL-2-SOUL program and encouraged volunteers. This program focuses on the elderly, who have neither income (pensions or savings) nor living family to support them. Their dire economic circumstances are often worsened by an intense loneliness. Through our befriending program we strive to rectify this by providing a monthly financial support of 500 birr (12 euro) for each elderly. Most importantly, each elderly is connected with a befriender, a volunteer from the community.

Pulling two weeds with one yank

The monthly financial subsidy means so much to the elderly participating in FICDO’s SOUL-2-SOUL program. However, those who are suffering from ill-health and old age cannot cook for themselves even if we provide resources. Thankfully, FICDO’s School Feeding Program (SFP) has provided a golden opportunity to support these elderlies. Our volunteers pack hot meals, from the little remainder of the SFP meals, and drop these to the elderlies on a daily basis. We fight poverty on all fronts, effectively.

Meeting children's needs during the school break

Schools are closed for a week from March 15. However, the FICDO team recognise what these daily meals mean to the children in the feeding program. Therefore, we have decided to continue serving the children as usual over the school break. We are grateful to our volunteers for their care and love for these children.

Reflecting on "How we Measure Organizational Success"

The FICDO core team holds regular reflective meetings, which continued in February and March. Although FICDO is meeting the practical needs of as many as 100 vulnerable people in our communities, we are aware that our work is just a drop in an ocean. In a world where performance is measured by numbers and figures, serving 100 people may sound like nothing. However, we recognise that our work is formative (through experiences, understanding and feelings) and may have a lasting effect. We know that love inspires and touches souls, especially those who are forgotten and left behind. Reflecting on this has encouraged us to remain focused on the task at hand.

Fundraising update

We are very much excited by the continuous generosity and support we are getting from our friends and supporters. Many of our friends in Ireland have been supporting us directly on a monthly basis. Donations are also still coming in through our GoFundMe campaign. We are grateful for your continuous support.