by Jason Zuidema, NAMMA
With the generous support of the TK Foundation, NAMMA has delivered $25,000USD in support to 25 seafarers’ missions in North America to help seafarers’ affected by the conflict in Ukraine stay in touch with family.
NAMMA’s program was in response to the call by Ukrainian seafarer union leader Oleg Grygoriuk in a March 10 letter to the International Christian Seafarers Association, of which NAMMA is a founding member. In that letter, Grygoriuk called on seafarers’ missions to help: “We at the MTWTU greatly appreciate the kind support that ICMA renders to Ukrainian seafarers during these hard times. In given circumstances we kindly ask you, if that is of your capacity, to supply Ukrainian seafarers with additional means of communication – telephone cards – so that the seafarers could more often contact their families back home.”
Though free Internet on board is increasing, most seafarers still do not enjoy a regular connection fast enough to use any of the various video chat programs that those of us on land take for granted. Especially in a time of crisis – like the current war in Ukraine – seafarers are thankful to have any additional help to remain in contact with their families and stay up-to-date with the most recent news.
For more information on this program or to find out how you can help, please contact us: executivedirector@namma.org
About NAMMA: The North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), a Christian association, provides fellowship, encouragement, advocacy, education, spiritual and professional development for those in maritime ministry. NAMMA is a registered 501(c)3 charity in the United States of America. NAMMA serves as the North American region of ICMA. NAMMA.org
Image: David Rider/NAMMA Flickr
