Christian Aid Magazine Spring Summer 2020

Christian Aid magazine for supporters

Spring/Summer 2020

Together for climate justice We stand with people living in poverty to fight for a more just world

Looking for a ‘cheep’ gift this Easter?

Charity Gifts

You can bring hope and happiness to a family this Easter for just £8 with the gift of chickens.

Buy a gift from Christian Aid Charity Gifts and we’ll send a card to your friend or loved one.

Your donation is used to fund a particular area of Christian Aid’s work. So when you buy a pair of chickens, your money goes into our Agriculture and Livestock fund and will be used on similar projects, like supplying chickens to families in Zambia – egg-cellent!

We’ve got plenty of other fun and intriguing gifts to buy. Visit caid.org.uk/chickens or call us on 0333 555 2025.

the

Circle

Register now for Circle the City 2020 London Sunday 17 May, 1-5pm St Mary-le-Bow Church, EC2V 6AU Join us this spring for Circle the City. Take on a sponsored walk around London and raise money to help fight poverty.

There’s something for everyone along the way – including tours of historic places of worship, children’s activities and prayer stations.

Book your free place now at caid.org.uk/ctc

Spotlight on climate justice 2020 is a significant year for Christian Aid. In our 75th year, we will put in place the changes we started in 2019. In doing so, we’ll continue to work to dismantle the power structures that keep people in extreme poverty.

As Christians, we believe we are bound together as a global family of God. In solidarity with our sisters and brothers worldwide, we’re placing the spotlight this year on climate justice.

More frequent and extreme climate conditions are leaving the most marginalised people with no food, no livestock and no shelter. It’s an outrage that communities who have contributed the least to the climate crisis are those who are impacted the most.

I have heard many stories during recent visits to Bangladesh, Kenya and Zambia which point to

Christian Aid Magazine Issue 14: Spring/Summer 2020

the devastation of lives left behind by the climate emergency. But I have also seen hope in the eyes of the women, men and children in these communities. This fuels my belief that together we can stop this climate crisis.

I hope that in the coming months, you’ll join us again by giving generously, taking action, and praying for climate justice for the sake of our sisters and brothers around the world.

Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Chief Executive

Contents

Editor: Rachel Addis Sub-editor: Natasha Fiala Art editor: Juliet Blackledge Design: Rachel Irwin, Rebecca Gray, Txabi Jones, Kim Kemp, Emma Watling Production: Graham Winter Circulation: Ben Hayward Published by Christian Aid 35 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7RL 020 7620 4444 info@christian-aid.org caid.org.uk Christian Aid magazine for supporters

Spring/Summer 2020

Together for climate justice

12-17 Campaigning for climate justice Read stories from climate activists from the UK and around the world.

18-23 Celebrating our past, looking to the future We celebrate the incredible work of our partners in South Africa, Ghana and the Philippines.

Cover story Florence Muthiani and her nephew, Kinywa Jacob, have transformed their lives thanks to their community earth dam in Kenya.

We stand with people living in poverty to fight for a more just world

Photos: Cover Christian Aid/Tom Pilston; pages 4-5 Christian Aid/Nirvair Singh; pages 6-9 Christian Aid/Adam Finch, Christian Aid/ Tom Pilston; pages 10-11 Christian Aid, Unsplash; pages 12-13 Christian Aid/Adam Haggerty; pages 14-15 Christian Aid, Christian Aid/Amy Sheppey; pages 16-17 Christian Aid/ Tomilola Ajayi; pages 18-19 Christian Aid/Amy Sheppey; pages 20-21 Christian Aid/Bellah Zulu, Christian Aid/Lema Concepts Africa, Irish Methodist World Development and Relief/ Simon Hutchinson; pages 22-23 Christian Aid/ Amy Sheppey, Christian Aid/Katie Roberts; pages 24-25 Christian Aid/Rosario Advirta, Christian Aid/Silvano Yokwe; pages 26-29 Christian Aid; page 30 Eric Richmond/Joe Swiftand, Ntando Brown; page 31 Christian Aid/Elaine Duigenan.

24-25 The changemakers.

The survivors. The mighty of heart.

4-5 A year of hope for climate justice Dr Rowan Williams, Chair of Christian Aid, reflects on how our actions this year can bring justice for people living in poverty.

6-11 Christian Aid Week 2020 Your gifts could help Rose from Kenya defend her family from drought. With every gift, we can change lives this Christian Aid Week.

Be inspired by three amazing women ahead of International Women’s Day.

26-29 Events 30 Last Word From the founder of Chineke! orchestra, who are performing an unmissable concert with Christian Aid this May.

Eng and Wales charity no. 1105851 Scot charity no. SC039150 Company no. 5171525 Christian Aid Ireland: NI charity no. NIC101631 Company no. NI059154 and ROI charity no. 20014162 Company no. 426928. The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid. Printed exclusively on material sourced from responsibly managed forests © Christian Aid February 2020 J171293.

The acceptance of external advertising does not indicate endorsement.

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Editorial

r a e y A : 0 2 0 2 of hope for e c i t s u j e t a clim The climate crisis is one of the greatest injustices of our time. Dr Rowan Williams reflects on how we can restore justice to our broken world.

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ith every day that passes, it becomes more obvious that business as usual is not an option if we are to avoid a catastrophe that will weigh most heavily on the poorest and most marginalised members of our human family.

Governments are still dragging their feet in responding to the urgency of this climate crisis. For a more adequate response, we need all the resources that can be mobilised, not only in government but in the private sector, in faith communities and among international agencies like Christian Aid. It is not that there are no signs of movement. It is remarkable that even political parties, that previously had relatively little to say on the subject, thought it worth flagging their green credentials in the election campaign of 2019.

But we need more than just credentials and hopeful words; we need policies and political will. And we need the public to hold our government to account.

Christian Aid has worked for 75 years alongside communities living in poverty.

The greatest driver of poverty in the immediate future is the impact of the climate crisis, so it is right that we should emphasise this. That’s why, this year, we

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invite you to stand together with us to give, act and pray to stop this climate crisis. We aim to speak and act prophetically – and to be prophetic means first of all to see, and to help others to see, how human actions look in the light of God’s kingdom.

The life of the kingdom – as Scripture and the words of Christ himself define it – is one in which we recognise how not only the human world but the entire creation is interdependent. God has made us to be nourished and sustained by each other in the created order, not to dominate or exploit either the material environment or our human neighbours. We are to live in solidarity and generosity; and this applies to how we show our love for the whole of creation as an inseparable part of our love for our human sisters and brothers.

Christian Aid is in the process of substantial change and faces many new challenges – internal and external. But what will not change is that commitment to prophetic witness – because this is rooted in a reality that cannot change; the promise of the resurrected Christ who tells us that in his Spirit and power what we thought was impossible can be made real. This is the hope into which we invite you, our friends and supporters, once again – a hope grounded in God’s faithfulness and Christ’s Spirit.

Binu Desai and his baby son look on the wreckage left behind by a cyclone in India, April 2019.

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Christian Aid Week 2020

‘ Because of the drought… I often feel hungry’ Rose fights hunger and thirst every day.

This is her climate crisis.

Right now, people are battling the worst of a crisis they did not create. This is unjust.

We stand as one to fight for justice.

Together we STOP this climate crisis

Rose Jonathan looks over parched land in Kenya, where every last drop of water has dried up.

Christian Aid Week 2020

‘ I pray to God that the rain will fall’ Rose, 67 years old.

Drought is pushing Rose and her family to the brink. Your gift this Christian Aid Week could help her community build a long-lasting source of water, so not a single drop is wasted.

Your gift could help people like Rose to store water, and defend their families from drought.

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hen I was a young girl at school, the rainfall we received was enough. There was plenty of food we could eat. Now, we are skipping

meals.’

Rose Jonathan, 67, hasn’t seen a drop of rain for two years.

Drought starves Rose’s crops. No food can grow.

Rivers are desperately dry. She and her family are hungry.

Every day, on an empty stomach, Rose walks for six hours to the nearest river to collect water for her grandchildren.

When she comes home, her grandson Charles cooks her a meagre bowl of porridge. But he knows she is still hungry. It breaks his heart to see his grandma suffer like this.

Rose and her family are battling a climate crisis they didn’t create. This is unjust.

The truth is, it doesn’t have to reach this breaking point. There is an earth dam just minutes away from her home. It should be a lifeline.

But millions of people in Kenya, just like Rose, are desperately struggling to survive the drought.

With such dire need, every last drop of water in her dam has dried up. The dam just isn’t deep enough to capture enough water for everyone who needs it.

You could help Rose stop this climate crisis.

Will you donate today to help people like Rose and her community build a bigger dam?

The rains are due any day now. Your gift could

help Rose and her community prepare to capture the water, so not a single drop is wasted.

With a dam full of water, Rose could grow vegetables for her family to eat. She could see her grandchildren live life to the full.

Please give generously to help people like Rose this Christian Aid Week.

Rose needs every last drop to survive this drought. Please donate now to help her. buy four taps for a £20 could water point at a dam, where families can collect water.

buy 10 bags of cement £60 could to help a community build an earth dam.

teach 50 farmers how £220 could to plant drought-tolerant crops that can survive the drought.

Donate now at caweek.org Your donation will help families facing poverty and injustice around the world. Thank you.

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Christian Aid Week 2020

Celebrating Christian Aid Week

Each year, we’re humbled by the gifts, time and energy our amazing volunteers and supporters give during Christian Aid Week.

Here are some exciting ways you can celebrate with us this Christian Aid Week, from 10-16 May 2020.

Every envelope counts We’re proud that Christian Aid Week is one of the longest-running house-to-house collections in the UK. Whether you’ve collected for decades or you’re a house-tohouse novice, it’s never been easier to fundraise for Christian Aid Week.

Why not try our delivery-only envelopes? It’s just like before when you popped the envelopes through people’s letter boxes, but now you don’t need to go back for them. You just ensure there is an address on the envelope for people to drop them off at a central point, should they so wish.

This approach allows you to cover larger areas, deliver at a time that suits you, and still offer your local community a chance to give. Initial results have been encouraging. So, why not give it a go?

We have lots of new resources online to help you find out more about delivery-only collections, including volunteer stories and a guide to involving younger people.

Please visit caweek.org/deliveryonly to find out more.

Pray without ceasing Many of you choose to celebrate Christian Aid Week with a collection in church. We have everything you need to hold a meaningful service this year, with materials to help you reflect on the drought affecting communities in Kenya. Download worship resources, including an order of service, sermons and prayers, at caweek.org/resources Throughout 2020, we invite you and your church to join us in a powerful movement to fill every day with prayer. Could you hold or host a prayer event this year, and stand together with people around the world for justice? You can sign up individually or as a church at caid.org.uk/prayerchain

Campaign for climate justice

Fabulous supporters hold a life-saving fundraising breakfast.

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The climate crisis is a matter of justice. Every day, people living in poverty are battling a crisis they did not create, because of inequalities of wealth and power.

This Christian Aid Week, we ask you to raise your voice with us by signing our petition, demanding a New Deal for Climate Justice. You can order a daily devotional or download petition sheets for your community at caweek.org/resources

Campaigners make their voices heard as they call for climate justice.

You are tea-rrific!

We love hearing about the bountiful fundraising breakfasts held all over the country for Christian Aid Week. For 2020 we have a brand-new Big Brekkie pack so you can get together at school, work or church and join

thousands of others to make a lasting difference for people living in poverty. Order a free fundraising pack at caweek.org/bigbrekkie If breakfast isn’t your thing but food is, how about organising a supper, a film night with pizza or a

cake sale at the office?

You can find resources to run your own DIY event at caid.org.uk/yourway

Standing together for climate justice this Christian Aid Week Droughts. Floods. Storms.

The Brown family enjoy their Big Brekkie in Belper, Derbyshire.

Our world is in crisis.

Together we can create a better world. A world that protects the future for all of us, our children and grandchildren. Through your Christian Aid Week celebrations, we ask you to stand with us to fight for climate justice.

So, whether you organise a Big Brekkie or cake sale, deliver envelopes or simply send a donation, thank you for your support. With every gift, every voice, every prayer, we stop this climate crisis.

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Campaigning for climate justice

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Shikha is a crab farmer in Bangladesh – one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change.

Our world is in crisis.

Together, we have the power to stop it We’ve been speaking out with people like Shikha at the frontline of the climate crisis for over a decade. We still have a chance to restore God’s creation. Stand with us.

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Campaigning for climate justice

‘The destruction of the ‘ The destruction of the environment environment is is the the human human rights rights challenge challenge of of our our time’ time’ Desmond Tutu Desmond Tutu

Back in 2007, Christian Aid became the first international development charity to recognise the climate crisis as a poverty and human rights issue. Our partners across the world told us that climate change was undoing years of progress in tackling poverty.

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hirteen years later, we see even more clearly how the climate crisis leaves people living in poverty hungry, homeless and heartbroken.

We have long believed in the need to tackle the broken economic systems that drive poverty, deepen inequality and cause the climate crisis.

Over the past year, we’ve played our part in getting the UK Government to introduce a net zero emissions target and persuaded the Scottish Parliament to pass the Scottish Climate Bill.

These actions will help the UK move closer towards ending its contribution to the climate crisis.

Despite this progress, there is huge work left to do. Carbon emissions have continued to rise. World leaders can no longer afford to tinker around the edges while the planet burns and our neighbours around the world continue to battle against it.

Together, with our vision of a world where everyone can thrive, we’ll continue to speak out for climate justice.

You’ve already achieved so much...

2008

secured the UK Climate Change Act – the first legallybinding climate legislation anywhere in the world.

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2012

persuaded the World Bank to stop funding coal power stations in middleincome countries.

One Line TWSTCC

Red Open Sans

Together we STOP this climate cri

White Open Sans

Together we STOP this climate cris

Campaigners call for climate justice at The Time Is Now lobby of paraliament.

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Young people call for action to protect our planet for future generations.

There are many ways you can raiseWhite yourMokoko voice with Christian Aid this year: 1. Pray for climate justice

Together we STOP this climate c 2. Call for a New Deal for Climate Justice

Call on the UK Government to take rapid action Together we STOP this climate c at home and globally. Order action cards, petition

Two Linearound TWSTCC Join together with people the world to lift hearts and raise voices to build a better world.

Red Open Sans We hope to fill every day this year with prayer for a world where everyone can thrive, culminating at the UN climate talks, where we’ll show world leaders the depth and breadth of support for ambitious climate action. White Open Sans You and your church can sign up to join our prayer initiative at caid.org.uk/prayerchain

sheets and posters to share the campaign with your community at caid.org.uk/climate-justice-resources

3. March with us in Glasgow

Together we The UN climate change talksSTOP will be held in Glasgow this November. We want to help create the biggest this climate crisis and most powerful climate mobilisation the world has ever seen.

Plans are still developing, but you can be the first to know more by signing up for campaigns emails at caid.org.uk/campaignsignup

Together we STOP this climate crisis

Red Mokoko

Together we STOP this climate crisis

White Mokoko

Together we STOP this climate crisis

2018

won over the UK’s biggest high street banks to shift their investments into clean energy.

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Campaigning for climate justice

Journeys to justice Christine Silverlight, a Christian Aid supporter in Somerset, shares her journey into climate activism.

‘ I could no longer sit and watch from the sidelines’

Christine felt inspired by her faith to take part in The Time Is Now mass lobby (pictured left) with Christian Aid.

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hat made me stand and walk with others to act for climate justice?

It started at The Time Is Now mass lobby of Parliament last year. I felt compelled to take part. God spoke to the very heart of me and I knew I needed to be there.

The day remains very clear in my mind. I’d never done anything like this before and being with so many people who felt the same way was powerful and energising. I went as the local Christian Aid representative for my church. The combination of this role, my love for creation and my faith fitted together meaningfully. Walking with folks of faith was a unifying experience. It confirmed that what I was doing was right.

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From that moment, I was transformed into someone who would no longer sit and watch from the sidelines. Now I’m standing up and taking part.

Since then, I’ve become aware of changes I need to make. Change can’t happen all at once, but it needs to happen. So, I have started to think more about my use of plastic, the way I eat and dress, and the way I travel.

I’ve joined local climate groups. I’ve spoken out about the climate crisis at church. I’ve led prayers for those who’ve lost their lives to climate change.

And I plan to get involved in future actions too.

Taking action with others gives me a sense of purpose. I love being part of something that is important to me, with people who feel as strongly as I do.

‘ Climate change used to be a very distant thing to our people. Now, it’s at our doorsteps’

Mithika makes sure the voices of people at the frontline of the climate crisis are heard by the government in Kenya.

Mithika Mwenda, co-founder of the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance in Kenya, reflects on the global movement for climate justice.

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was born into a poor family at the foot of Mount Kenya. As I grew up, I began to see changes in the environment. We used to have rivers crossing through my father’s land: those dried up.

We used to have two rainy seasons. But no more.

The rain comes but it doesn’t last, and then it pours with a vengeance. The crop cycle we used to have doesn’t exist anymore. People are in a very difficult situation.

Climate change used to be a very distant thing to our people. Now, you don’t need to tell them that things have changed. Climate change is at their doorsteps.

Our campaigning at the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance has helped create change, and ensure that more affected people are involved, including indigenous people, farmers and youth.

For us, climate justice is about enhancing the voices of those at the frontline of the climate crisis, and ensuring they have a voice. And for industrialised countries to accept that this is their problem and address it wholeheartedly – rather than transferring that burden to poor countries.

The consciousness in the UK is remarkable.

I am upbeat that the UN climate change talks (COP26) in the UK will be a turning point for the climate justice movement across the world.

The lesson is that once people take up the agenda, then policy makers and politicians will have no choice.

I encourage you to do more to push your government to action.

Please support Christian Aid’s New Deal for Climate Justice. Give me the motivation to carry on my work, knowing we stand together to stop this climate crisis.

Join Christine and Mithika to take action for climate justice. Sign our petition at

Take action now

caid.org.uk/climatejusticepetition

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r e h t e g o t g Standin e c i t s u j n i e to fight th of poverty

Virginia fishes at night with her grandson, Donald, using solar light.

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Celebrating our past, looking to the future

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hristian Aid was founded 75 years ago, when churches came together to respond to the urgent need of refugees fleeing conflict after the Second World War. Our task today is different, and yet, the same.

We need your help to ensure that we can continue to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We have been working hard to ensure that we build a Christian Aid for the future. A future that is uncertain for the most vulnerable people in the world, who are the focus of everything we do. And a future that can feel uncertain in Britain and Ireland too, with a changing political, social and economic context.

As a result, we have had to make some choices about how we focus our work, and we will do so in line with our new global strategy – Standing Together. As our Chief Executive, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, explains: ‘We are embracing our ambition, mandate and destiny – to stop the outrage of poverty, help dismantle power structures that uphold extreme poverty, injustice and inequality, and use our voice to break the silence. We aim to go deeper rather than wider, make a greater impact and ensure that we get maximum value out of every £1 we raise from supporters like you.‘

Celebrating our past, looking to the future Transforming changes We are making some changes to how we work around the world and in Britain, in response to this ambition, and to financial constraints.

Christian Aid’s overall income has been growing in recent years, but money which we receive for general funds, our unrestricted income, has been steadily declining. Our unrestricted income is important because whilst it is a huge blessing to receive money from donors for very specific projects, it is our unrestricted funding which underpins all we do.

It allows us to work with some of the poorest and hardest-to-reach communities, to innovate, to learn, and to retain our prophetic voice – in short, to be the organisation you want us to be.

We believe that everyone is equal in the sight of God, yet we live in a world where the scandals of poverty, inequality and injustice persist. With your support, we want to continue to build a global movement of people who respond in practical ways to suffering. We want to expose and eradicate the misuse of power, provide humanitarian support in emergencies and work for long-lasting change. We’ll continue to work with our friends and colleagues in the ACT Alliance community to make this ambition a reality.

And so, going forward, Christian Aid will work in the countries that enable us to deliver our ambition and to focus on the most vulnerable people. Above all, we will continue to fight the injustice that is poverty.

The future of Christian Aid’s global work We’ll continue to support people living in extreme poverty who are hardest to reach, so that no one is left behind. Our key priorities will be humanitarian and resilience, climate justice, peacebuilding, health justice and economic justice.

Effeness Saladi waters her vegetable garden.

Christian Aid supports women and young people in Zambia to make a living from farming.

‘We are embracing our ambition – to stop the outrage of poverty’ Amanda Khozi Mukwashi, Chief Executive

Across all our work, we have a commitment to gender justice and equality.

As the context differs across global regions and countries, the focus of our work will also vary.

Christian Aid will work on climate justice, peacebuilding and gender justice across Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Asia and the Middle East, the focus will be on peacebuilding. In Africa, the programme will focus on economic justice, climate justice and gender justice.

Over the next few months, Christian Aid will sadly begin the process of exiting from some countries: Angola, Bolivia, Brazil, Egypt, El Salvador, Ghana, Guatemala, Mali, Nepal, the Philippines, South Africa and Zambia.

We will continue to work in: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, Kenya, Malawi, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Zimbabwe. We’ll also have two regional programmes, spanning countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Christian Aid will support our staff to ensure that we exit countries well, and to ensure that vulnerable communities are not adversely affected. Over the next few pages, we celebrate examples of our partners’ outstanding work in Ghana, South Africa and the Philippines.

Isaac Essah makes and sells liquid soap in Ghana, thanks to the business training he has received.

What this means for you We have considered how best to use the resources our supporters so generously and sacrificially donate to Christian Aid. We plan to use the opportunities that technology affords us to increase the number of staff who can work from home, and we will be closing most of our regional offices across England in June.

We’re introducing a new Central Supporter Engagement Team, based in Warrington, who will be available to help you, wherever you are based in the country.

Please keep us in your prayers as we deliver these changes. As ever, you are a vital part of our great global community, and we are hugely grateful for your support.

in Soweto affected by mining, to reclaim land and replace church buildings that were destroyed during apartheid, and to speak up with shack dwellers on their land rights. Our partner has played a significant role in formalising South Africa’s first ever national minimum wage at a much higher level than initially proposed.

Moving forward, we’ll continue to provide solidarity and support through ACT Ubumbano – a regional network that helps communities identify and connect overlapping issues of economic, gender and environmental justice. We will continue to support ACT Ubumbano through Christian Aid Zimbabwe. Visit actubumbano.org

Celebrating our country programmes Ghana Christian Aid Ghana has worked to empower marginalised groups, particularly people living with disabilities and young women, through vocational skills and business training. To continue the progress we’ve made, we have partnered with government institutions (particularly the National Board for Small Scale Industries) to provide ongoing entrepreneurial and financial support for these budding business women and men.

South Africa Christian Aid has been active in South Africa since the 1980s, originally working in solidarity with excluded communities to tackle apartheid.

More recently, our partners have been working to ensure increased protection for communities

The Roosboom community, with support from our partner Church Land Programme, successfully won compensation for 20 churches destroyed during apartheid. This led to the completion of several church buildings, allowing worshippers to return to a formal church, rather than improvised shacks.

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Celebrating our past, looking to the future

The women lighting up Suluan island The tiny, remote island of Suluan in the Philippines was first to be hit by deadly Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. Now, a movement of women, survivors and island-protectors fight against climate change, leading the drive towards renewable energy.

By Amy Sheppey

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irginia wades through the inky-black sea by moonlight, a solar-powered torch in one hand, buckets and knife in the other, young grandchildren in tow. She is catching fish to sell and to feed her family. A former coconut farmer, Typhoon Haiyan forced her closer to the sea to survive.

The irony is not lost on her, as she sees how the sea takes lives; the typhoons are becoming stronger and the fishing more difficult.

Virginia will never forget how Typhoon Haiyan battered her island and destroyed her home. ‘I could see the foundations of the house wobbling like paper, large tree trunks were twisted, everything turned brown, all the houses were ruined. I kept praying.’

A collection of over 7,000 islands, the Philippines is one of the countries most vulnerable to the climate crisis. Virginia’s island, Suluan, means ‘light’. Fittingly, a solar torch was one of few possessions Virginia was able to save in the typhoon, alongside precious family photographs.

Lacking access to mainland electricity, the island was once dependent on dirty fossil fuels.

Typhoon Haiyan was a catalyst for our local partner, the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC), to integrate renewable energy into disaster response, and rebuild safer, more sustainable communities.

Despite bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, women like Virginia take the lead in protecting their island and their livelihoods. They use solar power to support their families, and to prepare and respond to disasters. Fisherfolk can fish

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throughout the night and the island’s only baker can sell bread at dawn. There is even a solar-powered Zumba class!

Gathered around the beach at night, by solar light, Virginia and the women in her group share legends, personal stories and struggles. Maria Alexandra Pura, Christian Aid’s Country Director of the Philippines, says: ‘I’ve been working with women’s groups for two decades. It’s proven that when you put trust in their leadership, they will take off.’

Last year, our Lent and Easter Appeal focused on island communities in the Philippines like this one. Thanks to your generous donations, we raised more than £555,000 to help people adapt to the climate crisis.

Tony Morling is a Methodist minister from Jersey. He tells us about his trip to meet communities in the Philippines last year.

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elevision cameras captured the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. The scale of the storm was unprecedented. The world responded with generosity: food, water, clothing and shelter.

But how do you build long-term resilience on fragile islands? Our local partner heard the voices of the islanders. They suggested growing edible seaweed as an alternative to fishing.

It was humbling to think our Christian Aid donations can make such a difference. I will always remember her, a life transformed and hope restored.

After the Good Friday of Typhoon Haiyan, it felt like Easter was coming.

‘It was humbling to think our Christian Aid donations can make such a difference’ One of my highlights of the visit was to hear a lady say: ‘I am free. Free at last, because of seaweed.’ Her deep sigh suggested peace at the end of a long struggle.

By growing seaweed, she could pay off her debts, start a farm and send her children to school.

(Above) Tony Morling meets Lope Dumaguin in the Philippines, who featured in our Lent and Easter Appeal in 2019.

(Left) Virginia and her family hunt for fish by solar light.

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Powerful women

We are the changemakers.

The survivors.

The mighty of heart.

Ahead of International Women’s Day on 8 March, we celebrate the voices of three women who are fighting for change around the world.

A life-saving medic On Friday 1 June 2018, Razan al-Najjar was shot in Gaza.

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azan, 21 (pictured above), was a volunteer medic. She was shot by an Israeli soldier as she provided medical assistance to injured protesters.

The protests were organised against Israel’s continued occupation and blockade. Palestinians in Gaza endure some of the highest poverty and unemployment levels in the world.

Her mother, Sabrine, treasures her daughter’s memory, as she tells us of this tragic day.

‘Razan loved life, and she loved other people. She was a powerful woman. Her aim was to help people and save their lives as much as she could.’

One morning during Ramadan, Sabrine received the most terrifying call of her life. Her darling Razan had been shot.

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‘Minutes before reaching the hospital, I felt my heart stop,’ she said. ‘Finally, I got the chance to see my daughter. I cried, “Razan has died”, and I started praying.’

Now, Sabrine is continuing to honour her daughter Razan, through volunteering with our partner, Palestinian Medical Relief Society.

‘I am really proud to continue the mission of Razan as a first aider. I am doing my best to save the lives of injured people. Even if I found the Israeli soldier, the one who killed my daughter, injured in front of my eyes, there would be no doubt that I would assist him as a first aider.

‘Razan did not die – she is still alive in spirit, and I am continuing her humanitarian dream.’

A star baker After setting up her own successful village bakery, Rosa and her fellow bakers have created a crisis fund to help neighbours facing hard times.

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roactive and energetic, Rosa Domingos (pictured right) is a natural entrepreneur. In 2017, she set up her own bakery in her home village of Santo Antonio, Angola, with a small loan from Christian Aid’s local partner, the Angolan Congregational Church.

‘Now I bake bread almost every day,’ she says. ‘My children all go to school. By selling bread to increase our income, we’ve got enough to pay for the things they need.’

Rosa’s approach to her business is both compassionate

and practical: ‘The small loaves sell for 50 kwanzas,’ she explains, ‘but if one of our customers has no money, they can give us a kilo of corn instead.’

Fifty kwanzas is less than 10p.

The fact that some people do not have that much to buy a loaf of bread is a stark reminder of how precarious life here can be.

In many poor communities like this one, families have no safety net. With few reserves and little resilience, misfortunes can

quickly push them over the edge into crisis.

That’s why Rosa, and her fellow entrepreneurs, are all voluntarily over-paying their loans. The extra money goes towards a village solidarity fund to support neighbours facing hard times or unexpected expenses, such as medical or funeral costs.

Thanks to the generosity of Rosa and her friends, people in Santo Antonio now have something to fall back on.

A hunger fighter Rebecca is tackling hunger in her community by farming fresh, nutritious vegetables.

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n 2017, we reached out to you through our Christmas Appeal, asking for support for women like Rebecca Awan (pictured right) who were facing life-threatening situations in South Sudan. Over half of the population face extreme hunger.

The UK Government matched your kind donations, which meant a brilliant £6m was raised to improve nutrition and farming, particularly for women and children under five.

Rebecca lives with her husband and two children. She previously

suffered from malnutrition.

Through the support of our local partner, she was given seeds and tools for farming.

She says: ‘Before the project, I didn’t know which types of food were healthy. Now, I’m happy.

I have good health now – you can see it. All the crops give me a balanced diet – I have vitamins and protein.’

Rebecca hopes to sell her

crops at the market and open a business. And she hopes her community will no longer need to depend on food aid in future.

This project was made possible thanks to match funding by the UK Government.

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… n o o s g n i Com

Here’s a round-up of Christian Aid events that are happening near you over the coming months. To find out more, visit caid.org.uk/local February 29 BOSTON, LINCOLNSHIRE Environmental Awareness Day 10am-4pm, Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street, Boston PE21 6NY. A day looking at some of the issues around climate change, with seminars on the theology of climate justice, campaigning and activism, as well as looking at the big and small ways that we can have a positive impact on the world. For more details, contact arodmell@christian-aid. org, or phone 01509 754767.

29 DURHAM Regional Conference 2020 10am-3.30pm, Waddington Street United Reformed Church, Durham DH1 4BG. Come and be inspired afresh by the work of Christian Aid and feel empowered to mobilise your church and community to give, act and pray for climate justice. Meet volunteers and staff to share ideas and find mutual support.

Hear stories of our partners’ work across the world, brush up on your campaigning skills, and worship with others

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who share the vision of a world free from poverty.

For details and to book, contact newcastle@ christian-aid.org, phone 0191 2280115, or visit caid.org.uk/north-east

March 7 CREWE, CHESHIRE Sponsored Swim 6pm, Crewe Lifestyle Centre swimming pool, Moss Square, Crewe CW1 2BB. Join this sponsored swim and give poverty the plunge! Every £1 you raise will be matched 17 times, and will help children in Kenya who are affected by HIV/AIDS. For more information, please contact Malcolm Crook on m.h.crook@keele.ac.uk 14 ABINGDON, OXFORDSHIRE Super Swish 2-4pm, Christ Church Abingdon, Northcourt Road, Abingdon OX14 1PL. Change your wardrobe, change the world! Bring along your good-quality clothes to swish and swap with others to create a whole new wardrobe.

Delicious refreshments will be available. A small entry donation will be collected. For details, contact candpmarshall@ btinternet.com or phone 01235 530480.

14 CAMBRIDGE Christian Aid Roadshow 10am to 12 noon, Emmanuel United Reformed Church, 3 Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1QY. Join us for an update on Christian Aid activities and all you need to know for Christian Aid Week.

For details, contact prichardson@christianaid.org, phone 07738 104495 or visit caid.org.uk/south-east 14 GLASGOW 40th Anniversary Art Exhibition and Sale 10am-4pm, Carmichael Hall, Eastwood Park, Rouken Glen Road, Giffnock, Glasgow G46 7JS. This popular annual event is a great fundraiser for Christian Aid with over 300 paintings by professional and amateur artists. For details, please call the Christian Aid Glasgow office on 0141 221 7475.

14 SHEFFIELD Inspiring Stories for Christian Aid Week 2020 10am-1pm, Sheffield Central United Reformed Church, 60 Norfolk Street, Sheffield S1 2JB. This is an opportunity for Christian Aid supporters from in and around

Sheffield to hear about this year’s Christian Aid Week stories in more detail and share ideas for fundraising and other activities. For details, contact twyke@christianaid.org, phone 0113 244 4764, or visit caid.org.uk/yorkshire 18 LEEDS Volunteer Training Day 10am-3pm, Christian Aid office, 188a Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9DX. This is an opportunity for volunteers and supporters across Yorkshire to hear about this year’s Christian Aid Week focus on climate justice and the stories from Kenya.

Join us to share ideas for fundraising and campaigning. For details, contact khogg@christianaid.org, phone 0113 244 4764, or visit caid.org.uk/yorkshire 24 ELY, CAMBRIDGESHIRE Christian Aid Roadshow 7-8.30pm, Cathedral Centre, Palace Green, Ely CB7 4EW. Come along for an update on Christian Aid activities and all you need to know for Christian Aid Week.

For details, contact prichardson@christianaid.org, phone 07738 104495 or visit caid.org.uk/south-east

28 DARLEY DALE, DERBYSHIRE Inspiring Stories for Christian Aid Week 2020 10am to 12 noon, Darley Dale Methodist Church, Dale Road North, Darley Dale DE4 2FS. This is an opportunity for Christian Aid supporters from across Derbyshire to hear about this year’s Christian Aid Week stories in more detail and share ideas for fundraising and other activities. For details, contact twyke@ christian-aid.org, phone 01509 265013, or visit caid.org.uk/eastmidlands 28 LEEK, STAFFORDSHIRE North Staffordshire Walk 10am, Tittesworth Reservoir, Meerbrook, Leek ST13 8SW. Join us for the 30th annual North

Staffordshire Walk around Tittesworth Reservoir and fight poverty with every step. To find out more, contact John Bamford on 01782 516 137.

April 25 OXFORD Sponsored Abseil 10am-4pm, St Mary Magdalen Church, 9 Magdalen Street, Oxford OX1 3AE. Come and abseil down this church tower in the centre of Oxford. If you’re feeling intrepid and would like to combine a fun day with fundraising for a great cause, then this event is for you!

Participants must be aged 11+. Registration costs £20. Minimum sponsorship is £100. For details, contact oxford@ christian-aid.org, phone 01854 246818 or visit caid.org.uk/south-east

25 VARIOUS LOCATIONS, SCOTLAND Bridge Cross Challenge Forth Road Bridge, Erskine Bridge, Tay Bridge.

Our annual family-friendly sponsored walks across Scotland’s most historic bridges. Wear something red and challenge yourself to cross as many times as you can! Register your interest with cmeiklejohn@christianaid.org or find out more at caid.org.uk/scotland 26 LONDON London Marathon Cheering Party 10am, All Hallows by the Tower, Byward Street, London EC3R 5BJ. Christian Aid has a fantastic team of #CAChampions running the London Marathon. To thank them for training

and fundraising so hard, we want as many cheerers to come and join our cheering party on the big day. If you can spare an hour or more, come and join the fun. For details, contact events@ christian-aid.org, phone 01925 582826, or visit caid.org.uk/vmlm

May 2 SHEFFIELD Sponsored Family Walk 9.30am for a 10am start, St Luke’s Church, Lodge Moor, Sheffield S10 4LQ. This annual sponsored 6-mile walk, which starts on the edge of the beautiful Peak District, raises money for Christian Aid. This year’s walk takes place on a Saturday and includes activities for children and families to engage with throughout the walk. For details, visit sheffieldmaydaytrek. org.uk

The United Chapel community in Anglesey tuck into a Big Brekkie.

Supporters on the Forth Bridge Cross Sponsored Walk in Scotland.

Lesley Williams abseils down a church tower in Oxford.

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4 LONGTON, LANCASHIRE Walk for Water, Cycle for a Bike 9:30am, St Andrew’s Church, Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston PR4 5AA or New Longton Methodist Church, Chapel Lane, New Longton, Preston PR4 4AA. This annual event is not to be missed! The walk

starts at St Andrew’s Church Hall, Longton PR4 5AA, and the cycle ride starts at New Longton Methodist Church, PR4 4AA. Get sponsored to walk as many times round the 2 mile route, or cycle the 20 mile route.

Sponsorship forms are available to order from Cath at cathgreenlees@ hotmail.co.uk

5 NORWICH, NORFOLK Looking after Creation with the Bishop of Norwich 7.30pm, The Weston Room, Norwich Cathedral, 65 The Close, Norwich NR1 4DH. Listen to the Rt Rev Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, reflect on our responsibility as Christians to protect our planet at this preChristian Aid Week event. To book a free place, contact norwich@ christian-aid.org or phone 01603 620051.

9 HALTON-ON-LUNE, LANCASHIRE Big Brekkie 9:30am, The Centre @ Halton, Low Road, Halton-on-Lune, near Lancaster LA2 6NB. Come to The Centre @ Halton for a delicious breakfast. See you there!

A Requiem for the Climate Join us on Wednesday 20 May for the debut performance of a new orchestral piece, Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate, as well as an address from Dr Rowan Williams and a panel discussion with climate campaigners.

Christian Aid has collaborated with Chineke! orchestra – Europe’s first majority-BME orchestra – for the performance of a new piece of music based on our climate change paper, The Song of the Prophets.

Join us for this special evening. Doors open at 6:15pm and the event begins at 7pm.

Book your free place: caid.org.uk/song-of-prophets

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9 HIGHER POYNTON, CHESHIRE Sponsored Walk Registration at 9.30am, meet at St Martin’s Church, Shrigley Road North, Higher Poynton, Stockport SK12 1TE. Join us for this fantastic sponsored walk in Higher Poynton. All ages and abilities welcome! For more information, contact Gill at codnersmith@ yahoo.co.uk 10 CANTERBURY, KENT Christian Aid Week Service 3pm, St Dunstan’s Church Hall, 80 London Road, Canterbury CT2 8LS. A service to mark the beginning of Christian Aid Week 2020 with key note speaker, Amanda Mukwashi, Chief

Executive of Christian Aid. For details, please contact Jean Barber on scriven06@gmail.com or phone 01227 831956.

10 GODMANCHESTER, CAMBRIDGESHIRE Christian Aid Week Service 4pm, St Mary the Virgin Church, Chadley Lane, Godmanchester, Huntingdon PE29 2AW. Celebrate Christian Aid Week at this joyful ecumenical gathering. For details, contact norwich@ christian-aid.org or phone 01603 620051.

10 PETERBOROUGH Christian Aid Week Service 11am, St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Ledbury Road, Netherton, Peterborough PE3 9RF. Celebrate Christian Aid Week at this joyful service and hear Christian Aid speaker John Harper talk about this year’s theme.

For details, contact norwich@christian-aid.org or phone 01603 620051.

10 ST AUSTELL, CORNWALL Christian Aid Lunch 12.15pm, St John’s Methodist Church, Bodmin Road, St Austell PL25 5AE. Enjoy a delicious threecourse lunch and raise money for our neighbours living in poverty. Buy tickets for £11 (children go free) and find out more details from John and Julie on 01726 66140.

10-17 VARIOUS LOCATIONS, SCOTLAND Christian Aid Week Book Sales Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Falkirk.

Book sales of all shapes and sizes will spring up across Scotland for Christian Aid Week.

For details, contact cmeiklejohn@christianaid.org or go to caid.org. uk/scotland 16 HUMBER BRIDGE, YORKSHIRE/ LINCOLNSHIRE The Humber Bridge Cross Challenge 2-5pm, Humber Bridge Country Park, Hessle HU13 0LN (north side) or Far Ings Road, Bartonupon-Humber DN18 5AZ (south side).

Sponsored walkers cross the iconic bridge as many times as they can to raise funds for this year’s Christian Aid Week. For details, contact gilldalby@gilldalby.karoo. co.uk or visit caid.org.uk/ yorkshire 16 READING Big Brekkie 8:30am to 12 noon, Tilehurst Methodist Church Hall, 26 School Road, Tilehurst, Reading RG31 5AN. Join us as we serve up a scrumptious breakfast all morning. Tilehurst Christian Aid group offers you the chance to enjoy breakfast together with family and friends while raising funds for our global neighbours. For details, contact rcanning@ meadowsweet.eu, phone 07900 057352, or visit caid.org.uk/south-east

16 ST ALBANS, HERTFORDSHIRE Marshalswick Christian Aid Week Market 10am-2pm, St Mary’s Church, 1 Sherwood Avenue, St Albans AL4 9QA. An amazing market of plants and vegetables, books, a Fairtrade stall, a children’s stall, refreshments, lunch and cakes – and great company too. Something for everyone! Do join us. For details, contact awhalley@christian-aid. org or phone 07807 180071.

theme of the climate emergency. Visit caid.org.uk/songof-prophets to book your place.

Tickets are free, but booking is required.

23 ST AUSTELL, CORNWALL Big Brekkie 8:30-11am, St Higher Poynton John’s Methodist Church, Bodmin Road, sponsored walk.

St Austell PL25 5AE. Everyone is welcome to drop in for a full English or light breakfast. For details, contact John and Julie on 0172666140.

17 LONDON Circle the City 2020 1-5pm, St Mary-le-Bow Church, Cheapside, London EC2V 6AU. Join us for our annual sponsored walk through the heart of London! Visit 15 historic churches and gardens while raising money for Christian Aid’s vital work around the world. With guided tours, children’s activities, and prayer stations, there’ll be something for everyone. Register now at circlethecity2020. eventbrite.co.uk or email awallis@christianaid.org 20 LONDON Song of the Prophets: A Requiem for the Climate Doors open from 6:15pm, St Paul’s Cathedral, London EC4M 8AD. Join Christian Aid at St Paul’s Cathedral, along with our Chair Dr Rowan Williams, Chineke! orchestra and special guests for the debut of a global collaboration on a new orchestral piece of music exploring the

The Christian Aid Week book sale in Edinburgh.

Circle the City sponsored walk in London.

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Last Word

We spoke to Chi-chi Nwanoku OBE, founder of Chineke! – Europe’s first majority Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) orchestra – about their exciting collaboration with Christian Aid in May. What is the Chineke!

Foundation?

We started the foundation in 2015 to provide outstanding career opportunities to established and up-and-coming BME classical musicians in the UK and Europe.

The foundation’s flagship ensemble, the Chineke! orchestra, comprises exceptional musicians from across the continent who are brought together multiple times each year. As Europe’s first majority-BME orchestra, Chineke! performs a mixture of standard orchestral repertoire along with the works of composers both past and present.

Tell us about the vision behind Chineke! orchestra.

Our motto is: ‘Championing change and celebrating diversity in classical music’. I started Chineke! because I wanted to create a space where BME musicians could walk on stage and know that they belong, in every sense of the word. If even one BME child feels that the colour of their skin is getting in the way of their musical ambitions, then I hope to inspire them, give them a platform, and show them that music, of whatever kind, is for all people.

Chineke! orchestra will have the privilege of performing this new piece at an exciting event at St Paul’s Cathedral on Wednesday 20 May. The event will also feature a keynote address from Dr Rowan Williams, which I’m really looking forward to hearing. Climate change is one of the biggest issues facing humanity today and something all of us, from across sectors – including the arts – need to grapple with and take action on.

What attracts you to Christian Aid’s vision?

Christian Aid’s vision of dignity, equality and justice for all people living in extreme poverty around the world – of all faiths and none – is an inspiring one. As someone of Nigerian and Irish descent, I recognise the stark inequalities

‘ I wanted to create a space where BME musicians could walk on stage and know that they belong’ that exist between the richest and poorest people globally and want to do my bit to help. We are excited

by Christian Aid’s creativity and vision to rally people together to stop the climate crisis.

For more information about the Chineke! Foundation, visit chineke.org

Tell us about your upcoming collaboration with Christian Aid. We’re really excited that Christian Aid have commissioned a new orchestral work, created by composers from around the world, on the theme of the climate crisis.

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Join Christian Aid at St Paul’s Cathedral, along with our chair Dr Rowan Williams, Chineke! orchestra and special guests on Wednesday 20 May, from 6.15pm.

Book your free place at caid.org.uk/song-of-prophets

‘When my husband left this world, clean water started to flow in Bolivia’ ‘ Christian Aid was so important to my husband David, and with a gift in his Will, the love and support he gave to his global family lives on – even now he’s gone. Thanks to his gift, children in the Amazon have clean, safe water to drink.’

Maggie Bridge

Will you join David and include Christian Aid in your Will? Through this one act of faith, you can release your greatest gift to the world.

The power of your love and care for the world’s most vulnerable communities will shine in the smiles of children who have clean water to drink, enough food to eat, and classrooms to study in.

To find out how your Will can release your greatest gift to the next generation, request your free Will guide by calling Gill Blake in the Legacy team on 0131 285 6107 or emailing gblake@christian-aid.org

Together we STOP this climate crisis

We hope you enjoy reading about how your support is transforming the lives of people overseas. If you would like to stop receiving information by post, or you would like to change the way you hear from us, please call our Supporter Care team on 020 7523 2493 or email info@christian-aid.org including your full name and address. We promise never to share your details with any other organisation for marketing purposes. For more information, please visit caid.org.uk/privacy