Message from Chief Executive
Andy Jong, CEO.
May 2008.
The poor cry out
The headlong rush to increase the percentage of biofuels we use as a nation to power our cars and heat our homes has produced a serious side effect - world food shortages. Coupled with poor harvests, the effect upon the world's poor is catastrophic. Here is definitely a situation where the poor need to be defended and the weak given a voice. And we have heard I have certainly heard the cries of the poor, coming via our ROPEholders in their regular quarterly reports. The grants we have been sending, often a set amount to help them support a specific programme, are not now meeting the same level of need as before. Escalating food and fuel prices are the story from all continents. The situation doesn't look as if it will improve quickly.
Meeting the need
In response, ROPE's trustees have decided to increase all our regular grants across the board and this includes all our child and widow sponsorship schemes. We will be writing specifically to our sponsors in due course. It is many years since we have increased the basic level of sponsorship support. If you are concerned and are able to respond similarly in your own giving for ROPE's work, this would be a most welcome step to help the poor at this time.
A personal note
I also have some personal news to share with you. After 5 challenging years at ROPE and having overseen some significant changes and positive progress in that time, I will be leaving this July to join another Christian charity, Dentaid, as CEO. My successor will inherit a great team of volunteers and some truly remarkable ROPEholders, all of whom it has been good to journey with in this much needed work. During the transition, Sylvia and Lois will be in the office to deal with all the usual business and thank you for your part in supporting and encouraging us in our endeavour.
View previous messages from the CEO:
February 2008
November 2007
September 2007
May 2007
