Guild celebrates ‘remarkable achievement’ in raising funds
Published on 21 May 2024 1 minute read
The Guild, one of Scotland's largest voluntary organisations, is celebrating a ‘remarkable achievement' after raising almost £500,000 for its current projects.
The Guild and its partnerships have covered a number of pressing issues over the years at home and abroad, including HIV/AIDS, prostitution in Leith, female genital mutilation, post-natal depression, and the plight of refugees.
Of their current projects, they have raised £425,321.
Guild Convener Rae Lind said: "This is a remarkable achievement for Guild members, bringing a lifeline and hope to many people and follows in the tradition of 137 years of service at home and abroad.
"Over the past three years, we have helped with the building of a landmark facility in Uganda called the Sunflower Sanctuary which is the first in the history of the country for children with special needs.
"In Tanzania, the Kazunzu village now has enabled children in their adopted homes to develop, within a stable family unit, lives full of promise.
"Here in Scotland, we partnered with BEAT, an organisation for people and relatives with eating disorders to help people get the support and help they need.
"Working with Pioneers, our project in South East Asia has enabled women farmers to develop a self-sustaining commercial enterprise in a community where Christians are subject to hostility and marginalisation.
"Home for Good encourages Christian families in Scotland and helps mobilise churches to find possible homes for children through fostering, adoption, or supported lodgings for teenagers. In Scotland almost 3000 children entered the care system last year.
"Our partnership in Brazil with UNIDA has provided 42 scholarships supporting women as they access theological training equipping them to serve communities."
The General Assembly heard that 402 people have joined the Guild over the past year.
It reached out to communities to tackle social isolation following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Guild Initiative Fund provided a grant to help fund a community cinema in Clydebank called ‘Faifley Flicks'.
Ms Lind said: "The Guild continues to serve the poor, the marginalised and the voiceless, whilst learning so much from the faith and resilience of our brothers and sisters we spend time with and share together in the work of the Gospel through our partnership."