MP shares experience of Middle East refugees aid
Parishioners at Greenhills Parish Church’s Sunday service were given an insightful talk on life in a refugee camp by Dr Lisa Cameron.
The East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP recently returned from visiting vast camps in Jordan and Lebanon – where a quarter of the population is now made up of refugees – and shared her experience with the church.
Dr Cameron explained the role of the Hairmyres-based Department for International Development and how infrastructure like drainage, education, and health provision was being established for long term stays. Rev John Brewster then introduced visitors Caleb Nwongbouwoh from Cameroon and Erie Febriyanto from Indonesia.
Caleb described the role of mothers in African society, particularly in the aftermath of AIDS and Cameroon explained how he hosted many refugees from six neighbouring countries.
Erie highlighted that many developing countries like his had experienced a vast population explosion in the last thirty years, and told how this brought economic difficulties.
Dr Cameron emphasised the role of the Scottish Government in its aid programme to Malawi and Mary Coles illustrated how the Church of Scotland and Christian Aid were also linked in to these Government programmes.
The visitors mingled with church members, including 99-year-old East Kilbride resident Susan Whitehead, in the tea room afterwards and were lunch guests in the Manse.
The MP told the News afterwards:“It was an absolute pleasure to attend Greenhills Parish Church this Sunday to discuss and answer questions on my work with refugees as part of the International Development Select Committee.
“The plight suffered by refugee children was raised in particular by the members of the Greenhills congregation.
“I was able to speak about my visit to Al Azraq in Jordan, the schools that we are funding and how the children’s faces lit up when they were able to enjoy playing in a swing park which is sponsored by our international aid.”