The Christian world, both East and West, has now started Lent. Maybe fasting from certain foods is not as fashionable as in the past, at least in the West, but for anyone who wishes to "do something for others", this may be the ideal time to start.

It is easy on the mind to "give alms" and then forget about it. It may, however, be more meaningful if those "alms" were saved by refraining from "consuming" something which you can do without, especially if "it hurts a little" to do so, and giving its worth to help others.

There are of course other ways one can help one's neighbour, maybe cleaning up the environment in the process! Some things we just throw away could otherwise be used to help someone else. I would like to thank all those who have in various ways shown their solidarity with poor people in other lands, and especially the team at the Mission Fund, who have once again faithfully sent me a donation for our Gad-el-Sid Social Centre (Minya City, Upper Egypt) and providing both young and old with study helps and literacy classes, training sessions, teaching catechism, etc., and even helping to rebuild crumbling mud-brick houses in nearby villages. The Mission Fund can do this by reselling used stamps, telecards and other collectibles, as well as organising bazaars and various other fundraising activities.