Mustard Seed Relief Mission

Mustard Seed Relief Mission is an Eastbourne based Christian charity supplying humanitarian aid to refugees, orphans, and displaced persons, mostly to Romania, Moldavia and Ukraine, but also in certain establishments in Britain. The work began in 1991 at the beginning of the balkan war, and the charity has maintaned a continuous flow of aid to the refugees in Bosnia and Croatia. More recently Moldavia, Romania and Ukraine.

In addition to routine humanitarian aid, each Christmas since 1992 the charity has operated the "Love-in-a-Box" appeal. In which people throughout the country are invited to pack shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for children. These are then loaded and transported by Mustard Seed to areas of need, and distributed by personnel. In 2004, just over 60,000 shoeboxes were handed out in this way, in schools, churches, refugess camps, orphanages and hospitals in Romania, Moldovia and Ukraine.

March 05/03/2009

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Lisa Smart - Director of Mustard Seed

Well what can I say apart from "what a journey". I have been in charge of running Mustard Seed (as a volunteer) for a year now and what a roller coaster ride it has been, but I have to say I have enjoyed every second of it.

This year one of my main focuses has been communication with our supporters. Keeping all of you as updated as possible as to what the charity is up to. We were able to do this with a loterry grant in April 08 of £10,000 to upgrade our computer system. This was a invaluable award which has sincerely helped our charity.

I have looked carefully this year on how the charity spends its funds. I have undertaken a complete restructure of the charity. I am pleased to report this has paid dividends. I am proud that the charity sent out 2 lorries of humanitarian aid (at a cost of £3,000 per lorry load) to the Ukraine and Romania that have been a big difference to the families who received it.

The media have played a big part this year in getting the Mustard Seed message out there. Meridian News, BBC Radio, Arrow Radio and our good friends at Sovereign Radio have all done their very best for us.

On a personal note, I have learnt a great deal this year while running this fantastic charity. I have been overwhelmed by the people who support Mustard Seed, work so hard to provide humanitarian aid and send the lovely Christmas gifts to children and families that they will probably never meet.

On my travels this year spreading the word about how Mustard Seed helps the disadvantaged, again I have been humbled. Time and time again I have come across kind, loving and very generous people who have such large compassionate hearts, as a business woman to me this is truly inspiring.

So that we have to do in 2009 - It is my intention to continue to push Mustard Seed forward and with careful planning, strong support and good fund raising the charity will continue to help as many children and families as possible.

God bless you all.
Lisa Smart - Director.