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Worldwide solidarity

For  45 years the SSVP Twinning Scheme has enabled the Society in developing countries to thrive and grow, strengthened by the spiritual, financial and moral support the members have received. What is a very small sum of money for a Conference in Scotland can make a vast difference in a poor country, where a poor person may earn about 50 pence per day (if they are fortunate); just enough for one day’s food.

Whilst the major part of Twinning in terms of Conference to Conference Twinning is currently with India and South Africa, the link with Hungary is also growing. Each of these countries has its own unique problems and the Twinning scheme is tailored to each so that we can offer the best help within the resources available. The Society in each country shares the same Spirit that guides us in our work for the poor and each country benefits from the encouragement that Twinning offers.

 

Prayer is the key aspect of any successful Twinning. The promise to pray for the Twin is really what sets Twinning apart from a secular exercise.

Correspondence- letters are exchanged at least three times each year. If Conferences have access to the internet, they also communicate in this way. Language and literacy can sometimes make communication more difficult, but patience is always exercised.

Financial Support shows the tangible evidence of our sharing. This helps our overseas Brothers and Sisters to increase their efforts to overcome the poverty in their own parishes and communities.

Financial Support

We currently have 298 Indian conferences are twinned with 229 Scottish Conferences (some Scottish Conferences have more than one twin), paying £30 per quarter. We also have 23 South African twins currently in operation as links with many Conferences there are now firmly established.

The total for 2019/2020 paid via this scheme was £33,240 to India and £12,480 to South Africa, making a huge difference to the people who are supported by their SSVP Conferences.

Project Fund

Conferences also have donated more for special projects affiliated with the SSVP in India. Conferences donated a total of £2,465 for 2019/2020 which paid for projects including milk buffalo being given to 5 families so they can sell milk in their village and sewing machines which allow family members to earn an income from clothes repairing and manufacture.

Student Sponsorship

This helps with the education of poor students in India. Students can be sponsored for 1 – 5 years, depending on their course. Details of a student and course are sent annually to the sponsors. More details on the types of student sponsorship can be found here

If you would like to find out more about our twinning programme, please contact SSVP National Office on 0141 226 8833 or email our National Twinning Officer at twinning@ssvpscotland.com.