Vol. 1 No. 2 May/June 1998
My beloved brethren, friends of BLESS USA:

I would like to extend my sincerest regards and congratulate you all on the occasion of the glorious feast of the resurrection and the joyous days of the Eastertide. May our Lord return for you these days with grace and blessings.

My beloved brethren, I would like to thank you for your great love and merciful hearts. We have received your generous contributions in the amount of 339,000 Egyptian pounds ($100,000) till 5/5/98. With the grace of our Lord, we have spent 641,290 pounds ($189,171), from 1/1/98 to 5/15/98, in the many projects of mercy:

    Sponsor a family program - 286,290 pounds ($84,451) have been dispensed for 5,026 families

    Education & Student Aid - 60,090 pounds ($17,725) have been dispensed for 1,482 college students 39,540 pounds ($11,664) have been dispensed for 1,213 school students

    Marriage Expenses Assistance - 51,500 pounds ($15,192) have been dispensed for the manufacturing of 24 bedrooms to assist in the marriage expenses of young women in Cairo 16,200 pounds ($4,779) have been dispensed to assist in the marriage expenses in the dioceses of Deir-Moass, Koussia, Manfaalout, Abanoub and Abou-Teeg

    Medical Assistance - 187,670 pounds ($55,360) have been dispensed as follows:

Care provided

Amount in Egyptian Pounds

Amount in Dollars

Number of cases

Monthly treatment of chronic illnesses

99,950 L

$29,484

1,382

Medication for variety cases

19,965 L

$5,889

246

Treatment of kidney failures

28,572 L

$8,428

16

Treatment of Hepatitis

2,911 L

$859

6

Treatment of Cancer

15,452 L

$4,558

18

Blood Transfusions

1,250 L

$369

9

X-rays and Surgeries

12,320 L

$3,634

22

Eye glasses. Surgical pins, plates, etc.

920 L

$271

15

Equipment for the handicapped

6,330 L

$1,867

6
 

Finally my beloved brethren, I pour my heart to our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ and beseech Him to fill you with all spiritual blessings. I ask of your love in helping your brethren, the Brothers of the Lord, in our holy land Egypt, remembering the Divine Inspiration in the words of our teacher Jesus Son of Sirach:

"Stretch out your hand to the poor, so that your blessing may be complete." (Sirach 7:32)

 

Bishop Youannes,
 General Bishop and Secretary of H.H. Pope Shenouda III