CANADA
NEWS SPRING 2020
EMI Canada volunteer architects, Cheryl and Richard, work on plans for a secondary school in Rwanda.
EMI CANADA: OUR UNCHANGING WHO AND WHY At EMI Canada, we understand that every Canadian has been impacted by the unprecedented situation around COVID-19. As we navigate concern for loved ones, lost employment, and changes to daily life, let’s be reminded that our foundation is in an unchanging God and that as we join in His redemptive work, drastic changes to our ‘what’ and ‘how’ do not alter our ‘who’ and ‘why’. Let’s remain steadfast as His love, hope, and grace to the world in these uncertain times. EMI Canada in a time of COVID-19 In response to this evolving situation, we are constantly evaluating how to make responsible, faithful, and wise decisions that will protect our people, adapt our programs safely, and continue to be grounded in faith. We’ve taken steps to protect our project teams: •
Project trips have been postponed, including ones to Uganda and Kenya, which were previously scheduled for midMarch and early summer, respectively.
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While we cannot travel to support ministry partners, we will continue working to complete existing projects, serving past ministry partners from our office in Canada, and developing future projects. Now more than ever, we see the impact of professional design for key community facilities, like hospitals and medical clinics, for our partner ministries and the vulnerable populations they serve.
We’ve taken steps to protect our staff and interns, in Canada and abroad: •
The EMI Canada office is working largely from home, connecting virtually as necessary for the foreseeable future.
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We continue to support our Canadian staff who are remaining overseas. One currently off-boarding staff member has safely returned to Canada with her family.
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Canadian interns in the field have either returned home, or are sheltering in place where they are, some extending their internships where possible. We will not mobilize any new Canadian interns for Term 2, which runs from May through August.
We’re adapting our other activities over the coming months: •
As physical gatherings are restricted, we are exploring virtual and other creative ways to fundraise and maintain connection with our Canada-wide EMI community.
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We will continue collaborating with other EMI offices in new ways to fulfill EMI’s mandate to bring hope through professional design where it is most needed but inaccessible.
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As revenue streams become challenged, we are exploring ways to decrease costs and pursue government support for charities.