Worldwide Activity Report -- November 1997
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Copyright 1997 by The Family

         Every day, in nearly 80 countries spanning the globe, full-time Family volunteers work to bring hope, happiness and God's love to others. Following are some highlights of their recent activities and experiences, as reported by the Family members involved.

         [Picture caption] (L) Otrokovice, Czech Republic--one of many towns ravaged by recent floods. (R) Family volunteers Jan (center) and Hope (right foreground) help unload relief supplies from a helicopter.

Ruinous floods, broken dreams, heartache and peace
From Tim, Tabi, Jan and Betty, Czech Republic
         Torrential downpours and burst dams in the eastern Czech Republic combined to create what has been termed "the worst calamity to hit this region since World War II." One industrial city and a number of smaller towns were inundated for several weeks. Whole villages were destroyed. Thousands were left homeless. Over 50 people died.
         Soon after the flooding started, three Family communities in the country gathered relief supplies and sent a team of volunteers to one of the worst-hit areas. Some of us were assigned to a storage and distribution center where hundreds of tons of food and other relief supplies were being delivered by truck and helicopter. Others of us were asked to serve as nurses to elderly flood victims who were being temporarily housed at a school.
         At the shelter, we heard heartbreaking stories from people who had lost everything in a matter of hours. Some had watched helplessly as their houses floated away. Others had lost contact with their children, parents or other relatives, and still didn't know if they had survived. These were just normal everyday people like you'd meet on the street, normal people caught in a dreadful situation for which they weren't prepared. One day they had been working to make their dreams come true for themselves and their families. The next day, this.
         Tim listened to one woman who was crying so uncontrollably that he couldn't understand a word she said. "My smile and a hand on her shoulder seemed to mean so much," he said later. "Just the fact that someone took time for her in the midst of that chaos helped her feel loved, and that was all she needed."
         Songs such as "Peace in the Midst of Storm" and Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" made their way into people's hearts. "There is love to be found, when your whole world's tumbling down. You can have peace in the midst of a storm. " At one point we started the old folks dancing by each asking one of them to dance with us. They were just thrilled.
         Two young girls who had watched Tabi comfort several elderly flood victims came to her afterwards. They apologized for eavesdropping, then asked how they could help and encourage others like we do. Most of our free moments were spent with groups of teenagers like them who gravitated to us. Sometimes Jan would get his guitar and we would sing encouraging and meaningful songs; other times we would just talk with them about themselves, life, and the Lord.
         We also sang to the other staff members, who were happy for a brief respite from their stressful work. Afterwards they thanked us warmly for all the happiness, hope and encouragement we had given them and the flood victims.
         When things were more under control at the shelter, the first Family team returned home exhausted, and a new team left to help at another center. There they registered people returning to their flooded homes to salvage what they could, or to start rebuilding. They also distributed cleaning supplies and hand tools to the returnees, and sent each one off with a smile and God's blessing.
         A 92-year-old woman at the first shelter talked with Tabi, then offered this prayer of thanksgiving: "Jesus, this [flood] has been one of the worst experiences of my life, yet I feel Your love and peace. Your sending these young people to me at this time is the biggest love gift I have ever received."

Slum kids receive free dental care
From Jonatas, Hepsi and Vida, Brazil
         Our volunteer work in an inner-city slum got a big boost from one of our part-time members who is a dentist. She donated $30,000 worth of dental equipment, and is helping us set up a free clinic where she will work three days each week to provide dental work for as many of the area's 600 children as possible. She's very excited about the project, and so are we!

Family childcare material included in upcoming book
From David, Mideast
         A couple of years ago, two Family women took part in the Arab Children's Congress which was held in Amman, Jordan. They conducted workshops using material from childcare publications written and compiled by Family educators, which had already helped shape the character of over 4,000 young Family members.
         Recently I had a chance meeting with one of the organizers of the Arab Children's Congress, who is also a high-ranking UNICEF official. He explained that he and others are finalizing a book which chronicles the progress made in the development of social work since the Congress, and they have included the classes our women used in the workshops. "The Family International" will be among the list of the book's contributors.

A way out for young gang members
From Juan, Marie, Eric and Paul, El Salvador
         Only a few days after we arrived in this country to open a Family community, we met a minors court judge. Upon hearing about our volunteer projects in other countries, she asked us to help organize a program for gang members and other young people with social problems. We readily agreed.
         At our first meeting with a group of gang members we sang them some songs and showed them a video produced by The Family--two activities which had been good icebreakers in previous situations. This time, however, the kids kept their distance. We needed a better approach.
         When we met with the judge a few days later, she came up with the idea of organizing sports teams. Paul likes basketball and plays pretty well, so he offered to play with and teach the gang members once a week.
         We sent out the word and when the appointed afternoon arrived, a surprising number of both boys and girls showed up. This turned out to be a great way to make a connection with them. They were all in good spirits, relaxed and expecting a fun time. Afterwards they all said they wanted to play basketball with us every week, and they were open to the idea of coming to seminars and other activities we offered to organize.
         Having won their confidence, we were then able to start getting to know them individually, to find out where they stood, and to find ways to help them channel their tremendous energy constructively--especially into building their own futures.
         Several of the boys have told us how much they would like to leave the gang and find a job or study, but they feel trapped. Once they reach that point, they are more receptive to our guidance. Two of our friends--one a printer and the other the owner of a car repair shop--have hired one boy each. Their new jobs give the boys a chance to learn a trade and earn some honest money, while keeping them off the street and, hopefully, off drugs.
         Though we feel our project is still in the infant stages, already we have been invited to join a government-sponsored committee to find solutions to youth problems. The committee is made up of representatives from the mayor's office, the police department, the Department of Justice for Minors, the Ministry of Education, several other non-government organizations, and The Family. In just three meetings, the committee drew up an overall plan and began preparing for a big youth gathering which will include music, workshops and other activities.
         As newly appointed counselors for the Department of Justice for Minors, we have also begun visiting parents of troubled teens and counseling them in their homes.

Family Aid Project takes off
From David, USA
         After overcoming some logistical problems, our Family Aid Project has shifted into high gear. We now distribute 10,000 bags of canned goods, other foodstuffs and basic needs to Houston's homeless and destitute each day.

Training programs for former drug addicts
From Simon, India
         As part of the United Nations Drug Control and Prevention Program, we conducted a three-day workshop for a group of 25 former drug addicts and some members of their families. Our workshop was part of a first-of-its-kind UN training program to help former addicts and their families become counselors in the field of drug rehabilitation, regardless of their educational background or other qualifications.
         The topics covered during the workshop included: leadership skills, working as a team, counseling techniques, time management, organizational skills and public speaking. Between classes and exercises we showed them pertinent clips from Family-produced videos.
         A 65-year-old attendee, the mother of a drug addict and wife of an alcoholic, said, "At the beginning of this workshop, I felt I had nothing left to give; now I feel I have something to offer others. God has given me a second chance in life."
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         The Family is a nonprofit, volunteer organization. Each of the activities you have just read about was made possible through donations from businesses, associations and concerned individuals. If you would like more information about The Family, or if you would like to help sponsor Family volunteers or projects, please contact us at one of the addresses below:


Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family