HAVE A GOOD CHRISTIAN AID WEEK We would like to wish all Christian Aid groups a successful and inspiring Christian Aid Week! Across all the regions it has been inspiring to meet many of you at events and individually. We look forward to celebrating your successes and working in partnership with you as we inspire others to join together to give the tools to help people in poverty out of poverty.
MOSES TUTESIGENSI, our volunteer intern, makes what we hope will be a triumphant scheduled visit to our Cardiff office on 23 March as part of his Edinburgh to London Challenge – see page 11. Moses is running all the way from Edinburgh to London, accompanied by fellow intern Catherine Garsed, from Christian Aid’s Loughborough office, who is cycling the route on her bike! Moses is due to arrive at our Cardiff office midmorning on the 23rd. But there will be no time to switch on his computer as he is due at the Senedd building in Cardiff Bay by 2pm to be greeted by Welsh supporters and assembly members. Moses will then pull his running shoes back on and is aiming to reach InterChurch House in Waterloo by 27 March – a total of 660 miles in around 15 days. • If you would like to sponsor Moses or Cat you can do so online at justgiving.com/ run4climatejustice or justgiving.com/ bike4climatejustice
Christian Aid/Jeff Williams
Moses Tutesigensi
When a butterfly flaps its wings in Wales… …it can help to bring changes on the streets of Guatemala. Noddfa Community Church, situated on the Maes Barcer housing estate in Caernarfon, north Wales, has supported Christian Aid from its beginnings, and was quick to hold a launch service for¡Viva Guatemala! – the Presbyterian Church of Wales denominational appeal that supports the work of Christian Aid partners in Guatemala. With the church’s strong focus on children and youth work, the younger generation played a prominent part in the event, sharing the story of Bianka, a six-year-old who lives in one of Guatemala City’s most violent slums. Bianka regularly takes part in the parades organised by Christian Aid partner Caja Lúdica, proudly wearing her favourite butterfly wings.
Erin Bohana Davies
Mererid Mair
RUNNING OUT OF TIME
The children of Noddfa prepared a special prayer of praise, which they presented using all manner of percussion instruments. Llinos Morris, children and youth worker, said: ‘Those present said they’d remember the prayer for a long time and that the service had inspired them to support the appeal.’ Each child had also made and decorated special collection boxes for the
appeal, and on the following Sunday, Erin Bohana Davies, aged three, one of the youngest members of the Sunday school, proudly brought her full collection box back. Erin’s mother, Elaine, explained: ‘She’s been on about children in Guatemala all week – I wasn’t allowed to put any change back into my purse – it all had to go to help more girls to be butterflies!’ Other up and coming ¡Viva Guatemala! events include: MONDAY 26 MARCH – 7pm, Bethel Chapel, Garden Village, Wrexham LL11 2SP. TUESDAY 3 APRIL – 2.30pm, Church and Community Hall, Ruabon, Wrexham. SUL 15 EBRILL – 2pm, Capel Baladeulyn, Nantlle LL54 6BH. THURSDAY 19 APRIL, 2pm, St Peter’s Church Hall, Penrallt Street, Machynlleth. SUL 22 EBRILL – 10am, Capel Bethel, Tywyn LL36 9HR. • For further details, please contact the Bangor office.
OTHER EVENTS IN WALES
DIGWYDDIADAU YNG NGHYMRU TUESDAY 27 MARCH Super Soup Lunch 12 noon, St Mary’s Church Hall, Trevor Road, Chirk, Wrexham. Lunch served between 12 noon and 1pm. Cost: £2. At 2pm, there’s an opportunity to hear Llinos Roberts sharing her experience of her visit to Sierra Leone in preparation for this year’s Christian Aid Week. For details, contact Christian Aid’s Bangor office on 01248 353574.
SUNDAY 8 JULY Sing for Christian Aid 6pm, Bridgend United Church, Bridgend. An evening of your favourite hymns and Christian songs, and an opportunity to hear the latest about the work of Christian Aid around the world. Organised by the Bridgend Christian Aid Committee. For further details please contact Rev Val Davies on 01656 654120.
FRIDAY 30 MARCH Super Soup Lunch 12.30pm, Blackwood Methodist Church, Wesley Road, Blackwood NP12 1PP. Speaker: Robin Samuel, Christian Aid For further details, contact Bert Harper-Asbridge on 01495 229573.
SATURDAY 16 JUNE, SUNDAY 17 JUNE Art for Africa Fern Lea, Trellech Cross, Monmouth NP25 4PX. The long-running art exhibition and sale for Christian Aid returns to its original venue. Full details available from Peter or Catherine Symes on 01600 860264 or John Aubrey on 01594 827516.
EICH SWYDDFA LEOL – YOUR LOCAL OFFICE BANGOR (Gogledd Cymru/ north Wales) 106 Stryd Fawr, Bangor, Gwynedd LL57 1NS. Tel/Ffôn: 01248 353574 bangor@christian-aid.org CAERFYRDDIN/CARMARTHEN (De Orllewin a’r Canolbarth/ South West and Mid Wales) 75 Heol Dwr, Caerfyrddin/ Carmarthen SA31 1PY. Tel/Ffôn: 01267 237257 carmarthen@christian-aid.org CAERDYDD/CARDIFF (Cenedlaethol/National office) 5 Station Road, Radyr, Caerdydd/Cardiff CF15 8AA. Tel/Ffôn: 029 2084 4646 cardiff@christian-aid.org
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