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CWS launches Syrian challenge

Kiwi Christians are being asked to survive for a week on refugee rations to raise funds for Syrian refugees.

Christian World Service  |  04 May 2016  |

Christian World Service is calling for for 100 volunteers to join a fundraising challenge to benefit Syrian refugees.  
Known as 'Operation Refugee' the challenge invites takers to live on refugee rations for five days. 
CWS aims to raise funds through the new initiative that will assist Syrian refugees living in Jordan and Lebanon.  
The national challenge begins on 16 June and runs through till World Refugee Day on June 20.
When volunteers register for the challenge, CWS sends a box of rations including: lentils, chickpeas, flour, fish, vegetable, oil and salt, while those joining in supply their own rice.
This challenge will help CWS raise much needed funds for longstanding partner the 'Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees (DSPR)', a programme of the Middle East Council of Churches, which CWS has worked with since 1949.
DSPR has provided food, education, medical and pastoral care to thousands of Syrian refugees since the conflict began forcing them out of their country over five years ago.
An estimated 4.8 million refugees have fled Syria - many are sheltering in Jordan and Lebanon. 
“We cannot help all the refugees – there are too many, but we can help some," report DSPR staff.
"Money is the most effective help we can give," says CWS National Director Pauline McKay, "especially when we know our development partner DSPR has worked in the area for 60 years, and can make our donations go further,” .
CWS has prepared a Toolkit for those taking the challenge and chef Grant Allen has agreed to provide recipes and encouragement. 
People can register at http://www.cwsoperationrefugee.nz/ and set up a personal fundraising page.  
Those who want to support the challenge can sponsor individual participants or donate to Operation Refugee. For more information call 0800 74 73 72.
CWS has worship resources in train for churches celebrating Refugee Sunday on 19 June in Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, and 3 July in Anglican Churches. 
Operation Refugee is based on the Ration Challenge devised by Australian colleagues Act for Peace.

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