Destinations
Readers and supporters of the work may recall an article in the MMN Summer 2009 magazine describing the difficulties of receiving Containers in Congo and how it had been agreed by all parties involved that it was no longer viable to send containers there. Since then, MMN have been asked not to send any further aid to Rwanda by the missionaries serving there and in June 2010 the Uganda government tightened their controls and introduced strict guidelines making it impossible for us to continue our container support for the mission hospitals.
Ruth Hadley’s article in our Summer 2010 magazine helpfully explains how container work is not as necessary as it once was for the country of Angola, advising that the Angolan economy is performing relatively well but still needs to develop, and how Angolans need to move away from a dependency mentality.
While acknowledging that good quality “high tech” and “high spec” goods are not always available in Africa, MMN will continue to maintain the managed reduction of goods sent overseas. Increasing container costs, both at home and abroad, also underline the importance of ensuring that containers are filled only with essential items and orders placed by the missionaries themselves.
Quantifying any reduction is never straightforward, particularly so when missionaries understandably have different needs. With the Rwanda and Uganda doors closing and a planned reduction in containers sent to Angola, the bulk of what MMN receive will inevitably be sent to the missionaries of Zambia, with whom we have had a long and happy relationship over many years. It is important that we do not swamp them with unnecessary and unwanted goods. (See Needs Page)
You will have recognised, through our recent magazines, our increased financial support and commitment to grant giving, medical training and the work of medical missions, particularly in Eastern Europe, Benin, DR Congo and Pakistan. We are very grateful for the goods that we continue to receive but we need to manage the change in our emphasis and are bound to adapt to the mission needs and demands of our age.
