FAIR Blog

Most of us don’t give clothing a thought except, of course, when the closet is too full, styles change too drastically, or our bodies have made adjustments on the plus or minus side. But in many corners of the world clothing is much more than a matter of heading to the nearest shopping mall.

Tacloban, in Leyte province in the Philippines, was devastated by a typhoon in 2013. The city was flattened. The economics of the area have left many families hard-pressed to support themselves. Schooling is often unaffordable and the basics like clothing and shoes unattainable. The Lighthouse, a church-based outreach to children, provides education, food, and outreach programs for the many poor.

Kathryn and Rob Fleming, veteran Fellowship missionaries in Japan, made a connection with the poor in the Philippines when their children were attending school in Manila. During the devastation of the 2013 typhoon, the Fleming children, along with others from the school, came to the rescue of people in need after the disaster. This opened the door to the possibilities of addressing not only immediate needs, but some of the long-term struggles of the people of Tacloban.

Japanese parents usually have only one child and used clothing, toys and shoes are normally thrown out as they are outgrown. The Hand-Me-Downs project attempts to help Japanese understand the basics of charity while providing The Lighthouse with practical help for the poor. One large box, weighing up to 80 kg costs about $100 (CDN) to send from Japan to the Philippines. There are currently boxes ready in storage but awaiting funding before they can be shipped.

The goal for the Hand-Me-Downs project is $10,000. This will provide a long-term solution for the ministry. Visit https://www.fellowship.ca/handmedowns for more information.