Relief, development and podcast

Join us on a fascinating journey as we explore the story behind MCC's first-ever stationary meat cannery in Ontario. Hosted by Ken Ogasawara, this episode delves into the history, challenges, and triumphs of the Mennonite Central Committee's meat canning operations. From the early days of the mobile meat canner to the grand opening of the new 10,000 square foot facility, discover how this initiative has brought together thousands of volunteers and provided essential relief to communities around the world. Tune in and be inspired by the power of collective action and the motto, "Together we can." Apply to be a mobile meat canner opperator: https://mcc.org/canner-operator Transcript

It's 2025. And we're looking back on last year. In this episode, hosts Christy Kauffman and Meghan Mast share some favorite moments from the podcast and talk about why these clips impacted them. Meghan also shares an announcement. Full transcript available here.

With Canadian thanksgiving just past and the United States election around the corner, some people are psyching themselves up for the awkward conversations that can come up. Sometimes this means talking about difficult topics. Bumping elbows with people who have conflicting worldviews. Maybe it involves passing gravy to an uncle that likes to play contrarian. In this episode, we're taking questions from listeners. Jessica Stoltzfus Buller, a facilitator, trainer, mediator and peacebuilder joins us to talk about how to navigate conversations with more curiosity and compassion. Full transcript and show notes available here.

Rediscovering black history in Appalachian coal town, MCC staff in Kimball West Virginia piece together a story of a Black owned hospital that used to sit on the site of the current Appalachia Build program site. mcc.org/dismukes Dismukes project cordinator Tylah Cline tylahcline@mcc.org Transcript

When pesticides are used so much it starts to harm the community, MCC partners are looking to find natural ways to grow a safe vegetable. Go into the field with us to Bogura Bangladesh where MCC staff member Jahangir Alam shows us exactly what that looks like and the challenges that come with it. Learn more and see images from this story on MCC's website https://mcc.org/our-stories/farmers-grow-safe-vegetables-protect-health-environment Transcript

Myanmar has been in crisis since the military seized power again in 2021. Distributing aid is dangerous, so MCC's partners in the region face significant challenges. Meet Mr. Khong (not using his real name for security reasons), an MCC partner in Myanmar. He shares how he is navigating these dangerous conditions, talks about the moral obligation he feels as a peace worker, the livelihoods being impacted, families fleeing from their homes, the unpredictability of the army and the constant worry about being a target. "Being meaningful to my country, being meaningful to my community, that can't be measured," he says. Full transcript available here.

Gaza has seen so much devastation over the last few months. In this episode we are joined by Palestinian human rights lawyer and former MCC volunteer, Jonathan Kuttab, as well as Alain Epp Weaver, director of MCC's planning learning and disaster response department, to talk about the current situation and the history that has brought us to this point. MCC has continued to respond through local partners, Seth Malone and Sarah Funkhouser , MCC representatives for Jordan, Palestine and Israel, tell us how. Give and advocate through MCC here Mennonite Action Transcript

In his book "The High Mountains of Portugal," Yann Martel writes... "Love is a house with many rooms, this room to feed the love, this one to entertain it, this one to clean it, this one to dress it, this one to allow it to rest, and each of these rooms can also just as well be the room for laughing or the room for listening or the room for telling one's secrets or the room for sulking or the room for apologizing or the room for intimate togetherness, and, of course, there are the rooms for the new members of the household. Love is a house in which plumbing brings bubbly new emotions every morning, and sewers flush out disputes, and bright windows open up to admit the fresh air of renewed goodwill. Love is a house with an unshakable foundation and an indestructible roof." In this episode, we're bringing you a story about a house. A house that belongs to author Yann Martel and now houses newcomers. We explore what it takes to sponsor a refugee family. How it takes a village. A community. A network of people working together, using their strengths. How anyone can get involved with the resources, time or skills they have to offer. We speak with Yann and a number of people connected to the home he gifted—a family member who was once a refugee herself, someone from the sponsorship group and a neighbour. Full transcript available here.

"A ceasefire and a just end to the occupation, is the biggest need. There, of course, are enormous humanitarian needs, you know, water, food, fuel, electricity have all been cut off to the entirety of Gaza...But the real need is for a solution so that everyone can live peacefully on the land." Sarah Funkhouser is one of MCC's representatives in Jerusalem, along with her husband Seth Malone. They join the podcast to provide some important context for the recent escalation in violence in the Middle East and to share how MCC's partners are responding. Pastor Ashraf Tannous shares a powerful message to Christians in the West, along with a prayer. Full transcript and show notes available here.

Reusable pads, along with other hygiene tools in a bucket, can make a big difference in a girl's life. It can be a part of keeping her in school and adding to her education. At Loreto Rumbek School in South Sudan, Anne Kuria shines some light on the bigger context of why these simple hygiene tools are needed and impact they have. Get involved https://mcc.org/get-involved/kits/dignity Transcript

"For those of you listening to this podcast, I want you to imagine this was happening to your family." The global hunger rate began climbing in 2019 and grew exponentially with the arrival of the pandemic, escalating climate disasters and the invasion of Ukraine. Today on the show, an update on the hunger crisis. Our guest today is Andy Harrington––executive director of Canadian Foodgrains Bank, also known as CFGB. You may remember Andy from when we spoke with him around this time last year. We wanted to check back in with him after a new report on the State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World was released earlier this month. Brad Quiring, MCC Canada's donor engagement manager, hosts this episode. Full transcript and show notes available here.

Seeing humanity on every side of the world, and every side of the wall. In this episode Anthony reflects on his visit to the U.S. Mexico border wall as a Palestinian who lives next to the wall when he is at home Bethlehem. As a Palestinian Christian he has had a unique experience sharing his story in the U.S. this year and is working to help people understand what life has been like for him and his family in Palestine. We ask the question, what does peace and justice look like for Palestine? Anthony has also used the English transliteration for his last name, so you may have seen his name spelled "Khair" rather than the Spanish one he uses, "Jeer". Learn more about MCC's work in Palestine/Israel here Transcript here