It is a time for essential reflection. One does not pour wine into old wine bags. The quiet moments to prepare the tally cards for the new year and do the necessary checks and balances to consider the results are absolute necessities. 2022 was a year full of so many different aspects. 

In the world of seafaring workers there was hope to see the storm clouds relating to Covid dissipate early in the year to allow picking up the pieces and to repair what had been broken. Unfortunately it is not so easy to repair something that had been shattered. How can you forget that 600 000 men working at sea, all over the world, had been held captive by the deadly, invisible monster? How can you forget closure of border after border, how airports were transformed into ghost villages where aeroplanes gathered dust? For many people the price was very high... mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends or other people close to them succumbed to the virus and those empty chairs can hardly be filled again. These are not things that you simply shrug off. These leave eternal lesions in lives. 

But, the CSO was there to help.  We were there because our donors made it possible for us to be there. 

Just before the year could really gain traction, Russia sent heavy military armour to invade the Ukraine. Suddenly 6% of seafaring workers from these two countries were locked in the centre of an angry war. Their stories tell of catastrophe and heartbreak. Men received news that their homes were wiped off the earth, that their families had to flee to strange countries or that someone close to them died a horrible death in the war waged by power hungry usurpers.

But, the CSO was there to help.  We were there because the contributions of our donors made it possible for us to be there.

We remember the economic crisis that created chaos in Sri-Lanka and the men from that country that arrived in our harbours with little or no hope. 

But, the CSO was there to help too.  We were there because our donors made it possible.

During the time of the tornado in the Philippines, but also in case of a thousand other disasters, the CSO could play a role because you strengthened our hands with your contribution! In 2023 we will continue to spread the Word, continue to play an active role and continue to be carriers of hope.  We can do this because of our dedicated donors that we are so incredibly thankful for.

Thank you so much for your contribution. May 2023 be a year that is richly blessed for you.