Double award for the Miss Stone Center«
The Miss Stone Diaconal Center, which Connexio develop supports, received two awards on December 11 for its comprehensive assistance to those in need.
In the kitchen of the Diakoniezentrum «Miss Stone» The Methodist Church in North Macedonia prepares 265 meals every day. This work provides essential support for many people who often have no one else to care for them. Now they have received two awards for their efforts.
Care, firewood, and hygiene products
A home care service employee also regularly visits and accompanies 30 people who are severely restricted in their mobility due to their age or health problems. In addition, several dozen people receive practical support as part of individual social assistance—firewood, for example, medication, or hygiene products.
A sun of hope
The employees at the Diakoniezentrum experience how important—and in some cases even vital—this service is in their daily personal encounters. Time and again, they see a ray of hope shine in people's faces and deep gratitude reflected in their eyes.
State award in Skopje
On December 11, the long-standing and reliable work of the Diakoniezentrum was recognized far beyond the circle of recipients of its aid. The center received the «Veljo Mančevski» award, named after the first state commissioner for religious affairs.
The award, presented for the fourth time by the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities and Religious Groups, was presented during the traditional New Year's reception. This event brings together the highest state representatives, leaders of all religious communities, and figures from diplomatic and academic circles in the capital city of Skopje.
President honors the award-winning organizations
Among those present was the president of the state, Prof. Dr. Gordana Siljanovska Davkova. «We live in an age of accelerated digitalization, marked by geopolitical tensions and general uncertainty. In times like these, we urgently need guidance, dignity, integrity, courage, and commitment,» she said in her speech. The president praised the award winners as «ambassadors of truth, advocates for the unjustly treated and forgotten, and defenders of spirituality and morality.».
The Miss Stone Diaconal Center was honored for its contribution to religious and social-humanitarian life in general and for its continuous and long-standing commitment to the most vulnerable population groups in particular.
Honor also in Strumica
On the same day, the center was also honored by the political municipality of Strumica and its mayor, Petar Jankov, for its special humanitarian contribution to social coexistence.
Martin Konev, Executive Director of the Methodist Church's social welfare organization in North Macedonia, who accepted both awards, emphasized: «We see this recognition as strong confirmation that our mission, based on faith, solidarity, and care, has been acknowledged and appreciated.» Both awards are a strong confirmation of the long-standing work and trust that the employees of the Diakonie center enjoy in society at the local and national level.
Commitment to further engagement
He thanked all the employees of the Diakoniezentrum for their important and reliable service. He also expressed his gratitude for the generous financial support provided by organizations and individuals in Switzerland and abroad. Despite all the joy and gratitude, he also sees this special form of appreciation as a mandate to continue to live out love in concrete ways and to remain focused on people: «This recognition is our shared success and, at the same time, an obligation to continue to work with even greater commitment where help is most urgently needed.»
The Miss Stone Center in Strumica in the south-east of North Macedonia provides more than 200 people with a hot meal five times a week through the "Meals on Wheels" project. In recent years, capacity has been increased several times because the need is so great.
The "Hot meal for Radoviš" project provides 50 additional people in Radoviš, 40 km to the north-west, with a hot meal from the Miss Stone kitchen.
Your donation counts!
Help us to ensure that the valuable work of the Center continues to reach people.
