WJR’s Pesach appeal sets people free from poverty

In addition to donating to the Pesach Appeal, WJR has launched a new online Give an Hour scheme inviting supporters to check their hourly rate of pay on the Give an Hour calculator at www.wjr.org.uk/giveanhour. Donors can sign up to donate one hour of their own salary as a one off donation or as a regular donation every month. This will support the charity’s Livelihood Development Programme, allowing others in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia to establish their own livelihoods.

The Pesach appeal will help the charity to provide essentials such as food, clean water and medicine to those in desperate need. But this is not a long-term solution, which is why we need help to fund the Livelihood Development Programme in Moldova. This programme delivers skills and training to women who are striving to escape poverty, gain independence and provide for their family in the longer term.

The Livelihood Development Programme is made up of a six part course incorporating aspects of personal development, practical work skills, and essential computer training. The course helps to ensure a future of sustainable independence for the participants, many of whom are single mothers, coping by themselves without any support from the state or from their husbands. Sessions cost as little as £25 per IT class, and £100 can pay for legal advice for two groups of women to learn about personal finance and taxes, job hunting and presentation skills. So far 43% of the Programme graduates in Moldova have found employment or started a business within three months of graduating.

Tatiana joined the Livelihood Development Programme in February 2011. Both Tatiana and her husband were unemployed, unable to feed their two children and therefore entirely reliant on support from WJR. Through the skills she acquired on the course, her incredible determination and with assistance from WJR, Tatiana successfully opened a second hand clothes shop and now earns a living and employs three other people – including her husband. Her family’s life has been transformed due to WJR’s Livelihood Development Programme.

WJR’s Chief Executive Paul Anticoni said; “As we sit down to a Seder table this year, we remember those who do not have the means to provide a meal for their family and struggle every day to afford essential items. Your support today can provide essential supplies that, for many, are the difference between life and death.

“The Livelihood Development Programme is a longer term solution, helping people to stand on their own two feet in the future and ultimately provide for themselves. As Maimonides said, this is the very highest form of charity, so it is vital that our community demonstrates its commitment.”