As part of his commitment to highlight the work of a variety of charities around the diocese, Bishop Martyn paid a visit to Inter Care in Syston to meet its staff and volunteers and learn more about its efforts to support healthcare overseas.
Inter Care’s mission is to save lives and alleviate the suffering of those most at need by sending surplus medical resources and medicines, donated and purchased, to around 70 rural partner health units in sub-Saharan Africa.
One of just a small number of charities worldwide that offer this vital support, Inter Care has sent more than £19.5million worth of medical aid to Africa since it was founded in 1974 and recently celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The charity relies on the support of its 40 strong volunteers, many of whom are medically trained, and in 2012 received the highly prestigious Queens Award for Voluntary Service.
From organising stock in the warehouse and packing containers for overseas, to running fundraising events and cleaning donated jewellery to sell, there’s a community of people, churches, other charities and businesses from all over our diocese and across the country, with a heart to serve and support this charity.
Bishop Martyn met some of its volunteers during his visit, getting to know a little more about them and why they feel called to support Inter Care.
The key to the charity’s success is recycling – repurposing the items people give away, and at its heart, the recycling of surplus medical equipment and medications (direct from manufacturers) that would otherwise have gone to waste, that are precious and desperately needed in poverty-stricken countries including Malawi, Sierra Leone and Tanzania.
Inter Care supports ACDK Dispensary in Kibaya in the Diocese of Kiteto - a clinic in our link diocese in Tanzania.
Over the years, they have provided medication and equipment to aid our Christian brothers and sisters.
Healthcare in Tanzania, one of the poorest countries in the world, is a huge challenge. As a result, eye care can be difficult to deliver and this has led to a high rate of sight loss. At the same time, many of the conditions that lead to sight loss are preventable and cheap to treat.
You can read more about some of the work that has gone on at the ACDK Dispensary here.
Bishop Martyn hopes many more people in Leicestershire will support the work of Inter Care, and said: “It was good to meet with staff and volunteers at Inter Care and see the care with which they handle the medicines and medical equipment which is donated to them and sent to other countries.
“In a few weeks’ time, I will be visiting the eye clinic in Kibaya, in our partner diocese of Kiteto, Tanzania, and which is served by Inter Care. So I hope to see the complete journey of donations from Leicestershire making a real difference to the lives of people in Tanzania.”
Diane Hardy has been the manager of Inter Care since 2008 and is dedicated to the cause. She said: “We feel extremely privileged to have had Bishop Martyn visit us and to share with him what we are trying to achieve in terms of supporting the health units in sub-Saharan Africa. We look forward to strengthening our relationship through the work we have shared concerns in.
“Giving people the dignity to be able to get better, to be able to support their families and go back to work, is something every individual on this planet has the right to and our mission is to help make that happen.”
If you would like to get involved with Inter Care, can offer time to volunteer with fundraising, medical expertise, or in some other way, or would like to make a monetary donation or of items including jewellery, watches, coins and stamps, please call 0116 2695925 or visit www.intercare.org.uk for more information.
They are holding a fundraising Quiz Night at The Queen Victoria Pub in Syston on Wednesday 29 January, at 7pm and a St Patrick’s Day Ceilidh at The Rothley Centre on Saturday 8 March, at 7.30pm. See the website for more details.