latest news
Desert trekkers return!
Posted: 23rd November 2011
After two months of intense training and fundraising, Josephine Smith and Pete Fletcher from Shilling Communication set out to cross 108km of the Sahara desert to raise money for IMC. The trek covered vast stretches of parched desert, volcanic hills and sand dunes! They spent the chilly nights in Bedouin-style tents, before setting off each day to walk in temperatures of 26°C and higher.
Pete reflects on his experience, “From start to finish, this event has really given me more than I ever thought possible. From the early fundraising, including conquering my immense fear of doing Karaoke, right through to having feet covered in blisters, which were 'repaired' morning and night just to be able to continue walking the next day – I wouldn't change a thing. Through it all two things have remained constant. The unbelievable generosity of people and the amazing friendships which have begun every step of the way. Added to this personal wealth is the knowledge that we have been able to contribute to the great work IMC do.”
Josephine adds, “Crossing the Sahara was an amazing experience! The scenery was so unexpected – you expect sand dunes, but we walked over dry river beds and through a volcanic region, as well as dunes. I’m so pleased to have taken part in the trek – not only was it an exciting experience, I’ve also had the chance to be useful and I know that the money we’ve raised will be used wisely by IMC.”
Extreme Challenge!
Posted: 6th November 2011
Josephine Smith and Peter Fletcher, who both work for Shilling Communications in Liss, are going to extreme measures to raise money for IMC. As they couldn't trek the Colombian jungle, they have chosen to trek across the Sahara instead!
To sponsor them or to follow their progress go to http://www.shilling.co.uk and select "Charity Trek" from the menu.
Selling produce at Peniel Farm
Posted: 11th June 2011
Colombia: The congregation from the church in Bogota that supports IMiC recently visited Peniel Farm and a small market was held to celebrate and sell the produce from the farm. Everything was of high quality and grown organically including milk, yogurt with mora fruit, apple and raspberry, Kumis made with cow's and goat's milk, arrequipe (a soft toffee flavoured sweet), pastries and eggs. The team in Colombia writes that it is very thankful to God for the farm which is such a blessing, as the hillside land is good for cultivation and produces pasture for livestock. They are also grateful to God for keeping the children and staff safe from the floods and landslides currently taking place across Colombia - many people have lost everything due to the bad winter weather.
Reserve your tickets for the IMC charity ball in September
Posted: 18th April 2011
UK: The first ever charity ball for IMC will be happening on 17 September 2011 at the fabulous Elvetham Hotel near Hartley Wintney in Hampshire. Please join us for what will be a fantastic evening including a three course meal, live music and dancing - and all the time you will be directly supporting the work of IMC in Colombia. For more information and to reserve your ticket or a table for your friends and family please click here.
IMC evening AGM - 4th April in Petersfield
Posted: 21st March 2011
UK: You are warmly invited to join us at our Annual General Meeting. It will be held at Petersfield Methodist Church, Station Road, Petersfield, Hampshire. The meeting will start at 7.30pm and will give you a chance to here about the latest developments in Colombia. For a location map please click here. We look forward to seeing you there or at one of the other IMC events that will be held around and about in 2011.
UK Trustees in Colombia
Posted: 4th March 2011
Colombia: This is hot off the press from Colombia where Paul and I (Chris) are visiting on behalf of IMC UK. Today we were at the two programmes in Fusa - the "Dining Room" and Lucy's House. We are inspired by the fantastic work of the team to care for and nurture the children. It is clear that they are having a striking positive impact in the local community. We will use our time here to meet with Nancy and her Board and all the staff team, to learn more of how the work is continuing to develop.
Update from Peniel Farm
Posted: 26th January 2011
Colombia: 2011 has started with interviewing 4 new boys for possible placement at Peniel Farm. The children have been referred to IMC via the social services (Bienestar) and prison chaplains. Demand for crisis residential care for children in Colombia is rising, not least because of catastrophic floods last year which left many children orphaned.
The work to develop the small holding at Peniel Farm is also going very well. They are planting lots of organic vegetables for which there is great local demand. For example in December a fair was held for the local community and more than 100 people came. All of the farm's produce sold out, people brought gifts for the boys and two of the older boys gave an inspiring testimony about the work of IMC. Potential new farming projects for 2011 include rebuilding a greenhouse and expanding the chicken farming.
Helping Colombian children for Christmas
Posted: 28th November 2010
UK: There are lots of ways to help children at risk in Colombia via IMC this Christmas time. Please consider sponsoring a child. From just £5 per month you can help to provide the children with hope and a future - just click here for more information and to set this up.
You can also help just by doing your Christmas shopping! For every pound you spend in our online Ethictrade shop, 20% (of pre-VAT sales) will go directly to support IMC's work in Colombia. There is a fantastic range of items available including some great stocking fillers. Please click here to visit the shop - and please do pass on the link to your friends and family: http://inministrytochildren.ethictrade.com/
New children - in need of UK sponsors
Posted: 9th October 2010
Colombia: So far 2010 has been a busy year for IMC and we have been glad to take on the care of four new boys ranging in age from 9 to 13 years old. Three of the boys found themselves alone and abandoned after their parents were found guilty of serious crimes and were sent to Bogota Prison. None of the boys had family who could step in and care for them and they found themselves reliant on neighbours for food while living on the streets. The fourth boy had been neglected by his mother and abused by his stepfather. All four children are now settling well into Peniel Farm and are beginning to recover from their situations.
So far the new children do not have UK sponsors so if you feel that you would like to sponsor one of these boys do let us know. From £5 per month upwards, you can help provide one of these boys with a hope and a future. The children are always so delighted that someone cares enough to write to them each year and it really does make a huge difference to them. And with Christmas approaching, instead of buying each other for expensive gifts this year, why not agree to sponsor a child throughout the year?
Fiesta for all!
Posted: 2nd September 2010
For the first time we will be holding a Colombian Fiesta in Worthing, so all our friends in the local area can join in. The event will be in Salvington Road on the afternoon 25th of September, hosted by our organiser Kelly. With live music, a bar, an auction and quiz, there will be plenty for everyone. If you've not seen a flyer or poster, please give the office a ring, so that we can send you one. Hope to see you there!
