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 Ramesh C. Reddy
 Publisher

On a Saturday morning when many like to sleep in, volunteers from Pittsburgh Regional International Student Ministries (P.R.I.S.M) were busy getting ready for their annual furniture garage giveaway to more than 200 international students mainly from India and China who gathered at the Bellefield Presbyterian Church in Oakland between 8:45 a.m. - 2:45 p.m.

Scott Boyd, the Director of P.R.I.S.M was very excited for this years turnout and donations.

"It [Turnout for our annual furniture give away] seems to grow every year by 25-50 students through word of mouth because those blessed by it would be connected with new students from their country.", said Boyd.

International students from the University of Pittsburgh [PITT] and Carnegie Mellon University [CMU] who were interviewed found out about the event through their seniors, through Pitt's Office of International Services, CMU's orientation, Chinese Students Scholars Association, P.R.I.S.M, and Pittsburgh Chinese Church-Oakland [PCCO].

Boyd expressed the sentiments of many of the students.

"People are surprised by the generosity of local Pittsburghers. We probably had 22 churches give items and also individually. We had 56 volunteers this year and had 25% more volume. It was the biggest annual furniture give away to date."

Sarah Amanfu, an international student from Ghana said, "The day before I bumped into Scott and he gave me info. It's been a blessing."

Students were so thankful for not only the furniture and household items but for the free rides and home delivery of the items. Most items claimed were couches, sofas, beds, dining tables, T.V's, microwaves, and other electrical appliances.

Yifan Wang, an international student from China stated how thankful he was for the generosity of the church because his items would be so helpful to him and his roommates that he wanted to give back in the future for P.R.I.S.M's generosity.

Boyd interacted with students as they waited with their furniture as Pastor Sandeep Thomas and Adrian Ciganic also of P.R.I.S.M ministries loaded trucks with the students items.

P.R.I.S.M ministries wants to reach international students with the love of Christ and be a home away from home.

Watch a musical slideshow of Indian and Chinese international students who are excited with their freely received items. There will be a background religious song in Telugu and Chinese during the slideshow.

 Watch the screen for the video. You can replay clicking on the right mouse button.
 

Download the musical slideshow from the furniture giveaway! (Aug 23, 10, 12:41 p.m.)

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