Trinity Church in Knebworth

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Liz Stringer, a member of Trinity's congregation, writes:

“On 23 February 2008, together with my two dental nurses, Su and Tracey, I will be flying (via Dar es Salaam) to Mwanza in northern Tanzania to work in a remote clinic, treating patients and transferring our professional expertise to local Rural Clinical Officers.

The trip is being organised by Bridge2Aid (B2A), a UK-based charity which has been working in the area for a number of years and which has a declared vision to:

provide primary dental care and oral health education to communities in Tanzania; equip and train indigenous oral health personnel, care for and empower the poorest in Tanzanian society and provide opportunities for UK dental professionals and others to use their skills to serve Tanzania.

In every society there are those who exist at the margins. In Tanzania they are known as the Maskini - leprosy sufferers, victims of other disfiguring diseases and the disabled. Ostracised by mainstream society, they live on the streets, eking out an existence and trying to avoid the physical consequences of the rejection they attract. B2A provides basic dental services for the Maskini from a permanent facility – the Hope Dental Clinic in Mwanza, but also sends out teams of dentists into the field. Known as Tooth Camps, these clinics provide dental services for the rural community. We will be based about 2½ hours from Mwanza and will be operating one of these Tooth Camps. We may also visit one of the gold mining communities where, otherwise, no dental care would be provided. (In the UK there is one dentist for every 2,100 people; imagine a country where that ratio is one dentist for every 300,000 people)!

At my practice in the village 44% of my patients have an SG3 postcode; some of the people we treat at the Tooth Camp will have walked for two days to seek treatment. Earlier this year, Colin and I were fortunate enough to visit Botswana on a safari to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary; in February we will see a radically different side of Africa. In addition to being in an area of Tanzania where malaria is rife, there is an extremely high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the rural areas are extremely poor.

Su, Tracey and I were delighted to learn that Trinity has decided to support us, by paying for vital equipment and supplies which we will take with us. We are extremely grateful for this generous contribution and look forward to talking to you all, when we get back, about our experience in Tanzania.”

To find out more about Bridge2Aid click here.

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All proceeds from the Easter Offering go to the Methodist Church Fund for World Mission to support the work of 61 Methodist Churches worldwide. This enables the following to be funded:

• Grants for partner churches

• Training for mission partners,

• Support for long and short term mission partners

• The World Church in Britain programme

• Funding for the work of nationals in mission appointments

Easter Offering envelopes should be returned by the end of April. Our offerings will be dedicated at an evening service in Hatfield Road, St Albans on 4 May..

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The Living Room premises are at the Glebe in Stevenage and the organisation helps young people with addiction problems. For a number of years now they have provided a day care service for adults receiving about 200 referrals each year. Thanks to a grant from the Hertfordshire Community Foundation the service can now be extended to 13 to 17 year-olds.

The Living Room will help young people addicted to - or at risk of becoming addicted to - alcohol, street drugs such as cannabis and cocaine, or prescribed drugs such as sleeping pills. The scheme will also cater for eating disorders and gambling addictions and it is hoped to extend the service to prevent the young binge drinker of today becoming the alcoholic of tomorrow.  Many miraculous recoveries among adults have been observed, so the Living Room are excited about this new group. Living Room hopes its success will inspire other organisations to invest in its work.  We have the opportunity to help that work during November.

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Samaritans (fifty years old in November 2003) offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in distress. Their vision is for a society where fewer people die by suicide because people are able to share feelings of emotional distress openly without fear of being judged. They believe that offering people the opportunity to be listened to in confidence, and accepted without prejudice, can alleviate despair and suicidal feeling. The service (in UK and Republic of Ireland) is offered by 18,300 trained volunteers and its future depends on voluntary support.

To find out more about Samaritans click here.

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Trinity has been associated with The Haven in Stevenage for several years now, a relationship that has benefited both of us.  The Haven plays an important part in supporting vulnerable people in the community who do not have the privilege of a home to which they can return each evening. Right now The Haven is moving to new premises that will allow them to provide more support to the homeless, particularly daytime facilities. The extension of their ministry will, of course, cost more and we can help the on-going work through our thank-offerings in October.

To find out more about The Haven click here.

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Methodist minister, Thomas Stephenson, founded the work of NCH in 1869 when he set up a hostel for homeless children from the streets of London.
Today NCH aims to support the most vulnerable children, young people and their families so that they have the opportunity to reach their potential. It has become the largest UK children’s charity with 6,000 employees committed, through projects across the whole country, to the support over 100,000 children, young people and their families in variety of ways.
Trinity has a particular link with the Stevenage Family Support Service. This project is one of many “Family Centres” that provide safe play and education opportunities for children in need and also provides parenting support and education to parents whose children are believed to be at risk of abuse, neglect or underachievement without some form of intervention or support. The aim is to eliminate the risk of abuse or neglect and to promote early learning and healthy development. Overriding importance is attached to supporting parents in their caring role and encouraging them to help their children play, learn and develop.

To find out more about National Children's Home click here.

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