On 16th July the ECC will be officially celebrating it’s 10th anniversary. In anticipation of that event, on the 11th of May a fund raising Dinner, Ball and Auction was held at Candles Restaurant in the Dilmun Club. The ECC was formed by a group from a number of churches in Bahrain with the purpose of co-ordinating their charitable outreach and thus be in a position to avoid duplication and able to spread their outward giving in a worthwhile manner.

The ECC is registered under the social outreach programme of the Cathedral and the main aim of the charity is to search out and help mainly migrant workers who are in dire need.

Although all the volunteers are Christians there is no restriction of race or creed of those who are helped.

These photos of the 11th May event show a few of the more than 100 guests who attended the evening, and the Dixielanders Band who helped us to ’dance the night away’. A great time was had by all and the volunteers of the ECC wish to thank all who supported the event by attending and/or sponsoring.

On the 28th June a group of the regular ECC volunteers met for a social evening during which a brainstorming session was held to discuss future programmes. Among the many topics raised was the fact that there are many in our churches and congregations who wish to help the disadvantaged but are not sure how they can. The ECC is a channel through which help (either with a group or individually) can be channeled to the greater glory of the Lord. ECC meetings (scheduled to last for one hour only!) are held at 6.30pm on the first and third Tuesdays of the month in the upper room at the Cathedral, and all are invited to attend, even if only occasionally.

We do urgently need more volunteers to help in The Charity Centre. This involves sorting out donations, displaying and selling them in the shop. The shop is open for sales on Fridays 3.00-5.00pm and Saturdays 10.00am-12noon. Anyone interested in lending a hand please call Avril Taylor-Khajah.

During June the ECC received a very large donation of furniture items including beds, bedding, linen, standard and table lamps and uniforms from The Ramada Hotel. These were evenly distributed by ECC volunteers to Bahraini Villages, Isa Town Islamic Educational Society, Migrant Workers, and The Charity Centre. Our thanks go to Mr. Radec, the General Manager of The Ramada Hotel who was instrumental in selecting The ECC to receive this kind donation which has helped so many deserving people. Again, this is a prime example of how the ECC can be a Christian witness and a channel to reach the most deserving needy people.

During the ten years in which the ECC has been in existence there have been a number of changes in its structure and outreach. This has mainly come about due to the increased awareness within the community of the plight of migrant workers, resulting in the formation of a number of secular societies aimed at giving assistance. The Press has also become more active in drawing attention of the public to the plight of workers.

We Praise the Lord that this has taken place as countless more are being helped than would be the case if the ECC were the only body attempting to carry out this task.