Christian Aid magazine for supporters
Spring 2021
Against all odds
Celebrating the best of humanity
Let your
love
As a Christian Aid supporter, your love is alive across the world.
live on
It’s in the clean, fresh water in Grace’s village in Kenya. It’s in the relief supplies that reach Tasmin’s refugee camp in Bangladesh. And it’s in Johaira’s smile in Nicaragua, because she knows she can provide for her precious baby – not just today, but for the years to come.
You can let your love live on. By leaving a gift in your Will to Christian Aid, you can help build a fairer, more peaceful world for the next generation.
Let your love live on with a gift in your Will. For support, call Alison Linwood on 0207 523 2177, email alinwood@christian-aid.org or visit caid.org.uk/legacies CAM-000574/S
Putting our best foot forward Just like that, a new year is here. I’m sure many of you will not miss 2020. It was, after all, a year fraught with challenges and grief. But when I look back, I see something that makes me smile. You see, it’s my role at Christian Aid to help you celebrate Christian Aid Week. And last year, in the midst of a global pandemic, you built a Christian Aid Week I will never forget. You galvanised your communities into virtual spaces, keeping the spirit of a week alive that has been running since 1957. And you raised an impressive £4 million, too! It gave me hope. And as I started to look around the Christian Aid family, I saw more and more glimpses of it. From your generous support of our Autumn and Christmas Appeals, to your calls to cancel the debt for those battling poverty.
Your determination to press on in the face of adversity represents the very best of humanity and that’s what we’re celebrating in this edition of Christian Aid Magazine. The future remains uncertain, but I feel strengthened for whatever lies ahead. I hope you will too, and I know that like us, you will put your best foot forward during this year’s Christian Aid Week as well. I’m so grateful for your continued support.
Sophie Brightwell Christian Aid Week Manager
Contents
Christian Aid Magazine Issue 16: Spring 2021 Editor: Laura Oakley Sub-editor: Natasha Fiala Art editor: Rachel Irwin Design: Rachel Irwin, Rebecca Gray Coordination: John Lamb, Lorna Amahson 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 2021
Lebanon and Nepal, working hard to ensure that your generosity reaches those who need it most.
8-9 Learning in the shadow of war Find out how education centres in north-west Syria are giving young people the chance to reclaim their futures, against all odds.
Cover story Florence holds the onions she has been able to grow now that her community in Kenya has access to a dam full of water.
10-13 Christian Aid Week 2021
Against all odds
Celebrating the best of humanity
Photos: Cover Christian Aid; page 2 Christian Aid/Adam Finch; page 3 Christian Aid, Christian Aid; pages 4-5 Christian Aid/ Elizabeth Dalziel; pages 6-7 Christian Aid/ Ahmad Tahan, Christian Aid; pages 8-9 Christian Aid/Maher Tarke; pages 10-13 Christian Aid, Marie Hubbard, Christian Aid/ Diarmuid Mitchell; page 14-15 Anna Wooding, Margaret Brown, Christian Aid
4-5 Reimagine. Reshape. Rebuild. An opportunity to build a better world is on the horizon. Luke Harman, our Campaigns and Activism Manager, implores us to seize it.
6-7 Humanitarian heroes
From severe drought to flooding, climate chaos robs people of what they need to survive. Get involved this Christian Aid Week and help stop this climate crisis.
14-15 Last Word To mark over 75 years of fighting for social justice, we caught up with two members of the Christian Aid family to find out why being part of this movement matters.
Meet two of our local partners in 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 December 2020 J206711. The acceptance of external advertising does not indicate endorsement.
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Editorial Kaliso and Kumana’s aloe vera soap business is a lifeline while the ongoing climate crisis erodes other livelihoods in Ethiopia.
Reimagine. . d l i u b e R . e Reshap An opportunity to build a better world is on the horizon. Luke Harman, our Campaigns and Activism Manager, implores us to seize it.
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or many, 2020 was one of the most difficult years in living memory. The coronavirus pandemic challenged health systems and economies in every society, stretching some to breaking point. At the same time, the climate crisis continued to grow more deadly. There is no denying the severe impact this has had, and continues to have, on communities around the world – especially those battling poverty. But even in the toughest moments, love gives hope. We’ve been inspired by remarkable people across the globe, working side by side for a more just world. Like you, our supporters. You phoned the isolated and packed food for the vulnerable. You raised almost £2 million for our emergency coronavirus appeal. And over 20,000 of you called for debt cancellation to help the world’s poorest countries fight coronavirus. Meanwhile Christian Aid’s local partners have provided much-needed emergency relief, as well as helping communities stay standing in the face of crisis. Just like Sempreviva Organização Feminista who helped women in Brazil keep their businesses operating. Against a backdrop of anxiety, heartbreak and grief, these expressions of love expose the humanity that inspires us to move forwards. The question is, will we seize it? The development of vaccines gives us hope that we can move on from coronavirus. But the kind of world we move into is up for grabs.
We have the opportunity to reshape our world, rooted in the unshakeable belief that every individual is worthy and loved. Together we can reimagine a better way forward for everyone. And, with the UK hosting the UN climate talks in November, we can push our political leaders to champion climate justice, ensuring that any ‘green’ recovery to the pandemic doesn’t leave our global neighbours behind. As we step forward into 2021, let us continue to faithfully, passionately and humbly put our faith into action, seizing the opportunities in front of all of us. Whether you sign a petition, join a protest march, pray for our global neighbours’ health, or give to help communities battling the climate crisis, it all counts. This isn’t a pipe dream: you’ve created real change throughout Christian Aid’s 75 years of fighting poverty and injustice. You’ve stood with the people of South Africa to fight apartheid, you’ve worked tirelessly to convince supermarkets to stock Fairtrade products, and you’ve helped to win huge victories for climate justice, such as the 2015 Paris Agreement. We have a struggle ahead to build a world in which everyone can thrive. But together, we can draw on the inspiration of past successes and take real hope from love in action across the whole Christian Aid family. Join us at caid.org.uk/campaigns
Emergency appeals: update
s e o r e h n a i r a t i Human In an emergency, our local partners work hard to ensure that your generosity reaches those who need it most. We caught up with two of these humanitarian heroes to find out more about their work on the ground. Lebanon In August last year, a sudden explosion tore through the port of Beirut, Lebanon. Neighbourhoods were reduced to rubble, along with hospitals and crucial stores containing around 85% of the country’s grain and medical supplies. Supporters like you gave generously to help families who had lost everything. Ola Hamzeh works for Christian Aid’s local partner Basmeh and Zeitooneh. She has been helping to ensure your gifts go far.
Ola organised volunteers to support those affected by the Lebanon explosion.
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Destruction caused by a huge blast in Lebanon last August.
Ola’s story I was at home with my son and I thought it was an earthquake. I didn’t know what was happening. I was afraid and waiting for the news. The next day I felt that I had to do something. I searched on Facebook to volunteer and found Basmeh and Zeitooneh. I volunteered, before later becoming a member of staff in the emergency response. I am now Head of Volunteers. I used to communicate with all the volunteers and coordinate their schedules every day.
Christian Aid supported us to distribute emergency packages to affected households. These included nutritious food parcels and hygiene kits with an awareness brochure on hygiene measures and precautions related to Covid-19. We also provided cash assistance to support vulnerable households. I remember a man called Elias who cried when we gave him food parcels. It was so hard to see a 70-year-old man crying in front of you because he lost everything. What do people need the most help with? Anything and everything. People need comfort, psychological and social support, especially kids. People want to rebuild their lives. They need to feel safe again. People are relying on our help and this is the motivation for me. It feels so good to do it. Special thanks to the Scottish Government who also generously supported our response in Lebanon through their Humanitarian Emergency Fund.
Volunteers cleaning rubble and broken glass caused by the Lebanon explosion.
Nepal The coronavirus pandemic has affected communities all across the world. Yet without safety nets or savings, people battling poverty are some of the worst impacted. Yubaraj Rijal works for Bal Sewa Samaj (BSS), Christian Aid’s local partner in Nepal. In his role as Project Manager, he has been ensuring the most vulnerable are not forgotten. Yubaraj’s story Communities in Nepal have suffered a lot from the coronavirus pandemic due to the hike in prices and a shortage of food and everyday essentials. Many have also lost their
Yubaraj registering Manju for support in Nepal.
livelihoods. The pandemic has pushed the already vulnerable and marginalised groups towards more vulnerability. Christian Aid’s support meant BSS could reach these people with food items and hygiene materials. The food support was enough for a month and was a huge relief for families like Lekhanath Bastola’s. He and his wife are both disabled and have five children to look after. Because of lockdown, Lekhanath couldn’t earn money and his family was forced to survive on one meal a day. He expressed with immense joy that the food and hygiene parcels were a great help. For me
this is very heart touching. If we had not reached him, his life and his family would have been in more difficulties. I would like to thank Christian Aid supporters for this kind assistance that has helped Nepalese people to cope with this complex situation.
A history of helping Responding to emergencies is how Christian Aid started over 75 years ago. We were founded by British and Irish churches to help refugees searching for food, shelter and kindness in the aftermath of the Second World War. Being there for people in crisis is still a key part of our work today and we couldn’t do it without you and our local partners. Your generosity allows us to respond quickly, and our local partners best understand the needs of the communities we seek to help. This ensures your donations go far. Thank you for your support. If you’d like to donate to our emergency appeals at any time, simply go to caid.org.uk/emergencies
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Update from Syria
Learning in the shadow of war
Basel hopes to excel in computing so he can live more independently.
Education centres in north-west Syria are giving young people the chance to reclaim their futures, against all odds.
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n March, the Syrian conflict will enter its eleventh year with no obvious end in sight. The lack of education and employment opportunities for young people risks creating a lost generation. In many places, what were once schools are now refuges for those who have lost their homes. The fear of bombing has also left teachers in short supply. But thanks to the support of the European Union and people like you, Christian Aid is enabling community organisations to restore pockets of hope in the north-west region. A local partner has set up four education centres there to provide young people with vital access to education, training and psychosocial support. Many young people have already benefitted from these centres. What’s more, the centres have continued to help during the coronavirus pandemic by shifting their services online.
Catching up on studies ‘All of these difficulties of poverty, displacement and war motivate me to learn,’ said Dalal. The teenager started coming to one of the centres to catch up on the studies she missed as a result of being displaced. She wants to become a doctor and the centre gives her a chance to achieve that dream. ‘Whatever the many circumstances, the difficulties, the displacement and the wars, my dream to become a doctor has not changed,’ said Dalal. ’I will fight these
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‘ All of these difficulties of poverty, displacement and war motivate me to learn’ Dalal circumstances and resist them, and I will achieve my dream.’ While the coronavirus pandemic is ongoing, other young people like Dalal have been given internet cards so they can keep up their studies online.
Building skills for employment Unemployment is extremely high in Syria, and the disruption of being displaced during key school years means that young people are even more affected. Despite repeated displacement, Mahmoud managed to graduate from university in 2019. Yet he still found himself unemployed. To improve his prospects, Mahmoud enrolled in four courses at the education centre: IT, project management, English, and communication skills. Mahmoud’s dedication and hard work stood out. He was awarded a three-month internship and later gained a job in a humanitarian organisation. ‘This centre opened the door for me and now it is my responsibility to keep going forward, prove myself and reach my dreams,’ said Mahmoud.
Access to books Textbooks have become impossibly expensive for those faced with more immediate needs. The education centres offer an abundance of them, including online books that can be accessed remotely. Muhammad has particularly valued the books on offer. He knows other young people are having to push aside their education to earn a living instead. ‘We need awareness and education in the importance of thought and knowledge,’ Muhammad said. ‘Education eliminates ignorance.’
Growing in confidence The education centres also help young people restore their confidence and make new friends. Even shifting activities online has helped prevent feelings of further isolation. Basel made new friends at the centre alongside improving his mathematics, English and Arabic. Having been born with a spinal injury, he hopes to excel in computing so he can live more independently. ‘I lost most of my friends due to displacement,’ Basel explained. ‘Not feeling my disability gives me more confidence in myself.’
Dalal is determined to become a doctor.
A future of their own making The education centres have helped these young people transform their lives in the shadow of war. And while the hard work is all their own, the support of people like you has helped make it possible. As another student, Omar, said: ‘The centre is like a bridge that students cross to reach their hopes and aspirations.’ The activities of the centres may now be online due to coronavirus, but even virtually they continue to open doors for many young Syrians. Learn even more at caid.org.uk/syriacentres
This article was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Christian Aid and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
‘ Education eliminates ignorance’ Muhammad
Muhammad greatly values the books on offer at the centres.
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Christian Aid Week 2021
‘ I pray to God that the rainfall will become normal’ You might recognise Rose. We introduced you to her last year. At the time she was battling the climate crisis. Today she still is. This Christian Aid Week, will you help people like Rose break the cycle of climate chaos?
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rom severe drought to flooding, climate chaos robs 68-year-old Rose of what she needs to survive: a reliable source of water. Without water, every day is a struggle. Without water, Rose is thirsty and hungry. This is her climate crisis. When Rose was a child, there was plenty of rain. It fell at the right times, giving fruit to the baobab trees and providing plenty of nutritious food to eat. But now this is just a memory. The climate crisis has galvanised extreme weather and her community in Kenya is feeling the brunt of it. The situation is made worse by the coronavirus pandemic. For months at a time, Rose lives with drought. In recent years, it has become so bad that it’s caused a hunger crisis. ‘I often feel hungry,’ Rose
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says. ‘Because of climate change, I worry a lot about food. I pray to God that the rainfall will become normal like it used to be.’ During these times, Rose sets out on long and dangerous journeys to collect water for her grandchildren. She walks on an empty stomach. It exhausts her. ‘Because I am old, I can’t walk very fast. When I get home I just rest in the evening. I have no energy to do anything else,’ Rose says. There is a nearby earth dam just minutes away from Rose’s home which should be a lifeline. But it’s not wide enough or deep enough for everyone’s needs. Even when it rains, it runs out of water too quickly. What’s more, when the rains do fall, they’re much heavier than they should be, putting
Rose’s community at risk of flooding. The threat of coronavirus has only made this irregularity of water more critical for Rose. Handwashing to stay safe against the virus can be difficult. The local school closures have also kept Rose’s grandchildren at home, all needing another meal they would usually get at school. With a reliable source of water, people like Rose would be free from long, painful journeys. They would be able to grow fresh vegetables to eat. And they would be able to protect themselves from the dangers of coronavirus. Your gifts this Christian Aid Week can help make this a reality. Donate or get involved at caweek.org and help people like Rose get the water they need to live.
Rose is doing all she can to battle against this climate crisis. This Christian Aid Week, will you join her?
People like Rose need every last drop to survive this climate crisis. Please give this Christian Aid Week.
£20
could buy four taps for a water point at a dam where families can collect water
£60
could buy 10 bags of cement to help a community build an earth dam
£335
could train an earth dam committee to keep a dam in good repair and run it effectively
Donate or get involved at caweek.org The money you raise will help families facing poverty and injustice around the world. Thank you.
What a difference a dam makes Florence and her community built a dam thanks to the support of people like you. This reliable source of water means she can grow vegetables and keep bees, generating both nutritious food and income for her family.
Thank you! ‘ My life has changed. I am very happy. You can see it in my face: my face is shining’ 11
Christian Aid Week 2021
Get creative this Christian Aid Week
10-16 May
Every May the best of humanity shines through the gifts, time and energy you give to Christian Aid Week. This year will still look a bit different. We still have to contend with coronavirus and whatever social distancing restrictions are in place. But with a little creativity, we can all rise to the challenge and do our bit to celebrate this life-changing week. Challenge yourself
T
ake on our 300,000 steps in May challenge to get fit and raise vital funds! This sponsored fundraiser clocks in at just under 10,000 steps a day. If social-distancing restrictions allow, you could team up with others, too. Sign up at caweek.org/steps Walking not for you? Why not create your own individual challenge, from a sponsored
silence to a race to learn 100 words in another language. The possibilities are endless!
Share our e-Envelope We’ve digitised our famous envelope to give you a cashless yet personal way to raise funds with friends, family and your wider community. Share it digitally through email or social media, or add your custom link to a church newsletter, pew sheet or noticeboard.
A Brixham inspiration
Marie, Jade, Sadie and Koren on one of their favourite walks along Brixham Breakwater.
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Brixham Christian Aid group started a collective walk to raise funds for Christian Aid Week during last year’s lockdown – and they are still going! It started as a walk covering the equivalent distance from Lands’ End to John O’Groats. Now they’re clocking up steps equivalent to lapping the whole globe. Organiser Marie Hubbard explained: ‘A few of us decided that as well as the fundraising, we had benefitted from the regular
Swot up for Quiztian Aid Due to popular demand, Quiztian Aid will return on Saturday 8 May, 7pm. This fun-filled online quiz is suitable for all the family! Sign up at caweek.org/quiztianaid
For lots more virtual and socially distanced ideas and events, go to caweek.org
exercise and wanted to continue with something similar. ‘The walk is a total of 80,052,472 steps and we have covered about 18%. We are hoping to complete the walk during Christian Aid Week 2021.’ Last year the group sadly lost Pearl Young, a long-serving supporter who had helped organise their Christian Aid Week activities since 1971. The walk has been a way to remember her, too. Follow the group’s progress at facebook.com/cabrixham
This Christian Aid Week and beyond, will you stand together for climate justice?
A turning point for climate justice For many, the coronavirus pandemic arrived last year on top of the existing crisis of climate breakdown. This Christian Aid Week and beyond, we have a chance to tackle these challenges together. We can go back to business as usual, perpetuating the climate crisis and growing inequality. Or we can take some positive steps towards a better future for everybody. The UK Government is starting to rebuild from the pandemic, as well as preparing to host the G7 this summer and crucial UN climate talks (COP26)
in November. We need to ensure that climate justice is at the heart of the decisions they make. They must: • invest in green recovery that leaves no-one behind, in the UK or overseas. • end the funding of fossil fuels and increase support for clean energy. • equip communities to better confront the climate crisis, both through financial support and cancelling their debt. Will you join us to help ensure this happens?
What you can do: Join our prayer chain Prayer can change us and it can change the world. We are continuing our prayer chain for climate justice, filling every day ahead of COP26 with prayer. Sign up at caid.org.uk/prayer-chain
Message the Prime Minister
Join the solidarity sessions
Use the postcard in the Christian Aid Week daily devotional to send a message to the PM, or sign our online petition at caid.org.uk/climate
Equip your church to fight poverty. We’ll share ideas and tools your church can put into action as we live out our faith. For more info email campaigns@christian-aid.org
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Last Word
We couldn’t celebrate the best of humanity without recognising supporters like you. To mark over 75 years of fighting for social justice together, Anna Wooding caught up with dynamic supporter Margaret Brown. Together they discussed why being part of this movement matters. Meet Anna Anna Wooding recently joined Christian Aid in the campaigns team on a graduate scheme. Having studied international development at university, she’s passionate about social justice.
Welcome to the Christian Aid family! What have you discovered so far? My degree made me feel that there was no place for faith in development. There was also a lot of criticism about the global North coming in to ‘help’ the global South. I felt caught between the tension of my academic knowledge and knowing we can only do it Jesus’ way for true transformation. Joining Christian Aid has helped me to see how this plays out in practice. I think organisations like Christian Aid are different. Yes, they still have issues of power that constantly need to be addressed, but at least by working with local churches they have that local element. There’s also a humility that the people who are on the ground and our partners know more, so it’s more about how we can support them.
‘ I think the best of humanity comes from humility, rather than thinking we know all the answers’ What role do you think young adults like yourself can play in the fight for social justice?
about the things we want to keep doing after this. Arundhati Roy says that pandemics have historically been a portal between one world and the next. You can either take through all your baggage, or you can choose to leave that behind, walk through light and reimagine and fight for the world you want. I know it sounds a bit cheesy but I really do think this is that moment!
Where do you see the best of humanity?
I’ve often heard people be quite critical about how idealistic my generation are. But I think it’s just that they know their potential and are willing to really drive change – that’s a really important part of any justice movement.
I think the best of humanity comes from humility, rather than thinking we know all the answers. How can I lay down my power and how can I serve? I’ve heard Rick Warren use the phrase, ‘Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less.’
2020 was a year of great lows. Do you have any highlights?
What’s your message to long-standing Christian Aid supporters?
During lockdown I visited an elderly woman every day to bring her the paper and I had some really good chats with her. We ended up eating cheese scones on the pavement outside her house on her birthday and the street sang to her. It made me think
Perhaps think about how they can parent a new generation for justice and use their wisdom to really invest and mentor young adults. It would be great to see their experience from big moments like the Jubilee Debt Campaign flow inter-generationally.
Coming soon…
To find out if there are any socially distanced or virtual Christian Aid events happening near you over the coming months, please visit caid.org.uk/local
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Margaret Brown first got involved with Christian Aid through her church. Anna spoke to her to find out more. What drew you to support Christian Aid? My husband and I really like the commitment to a Christian ethos, being unashamedly Christian and yet also wanting to work with people of all faiths and none. We also felt that Christian Aid was trying to be honest about things that didn’t work, learning from lessons and feeding that back into practice.
‘ It’s not a charity ‘over there’, but the channel that we have chosen to be our hands and feet for doing what we cannot do ourselves’ In what ways have you got involved? Christian Aid Week has been a focus for our church. It’s something we do every year. I’ve also been involved in several campaigns over the years, as well as writing to my MP. I really enjoyed the mass lobby on climate in 2019. Being part of a lobby with a lot of other people and interacting with our MP was brilliant.
Your church is also supportive of Christian Aid. What motivates you to gather together? One thing that has been helpful is seeing Christian Aid not as
something that we support only. It’s not a charity ‘over there’, but the channel that we have chosen to be our hands and feet for doing what we cannot do ourselves. As a church and as individuals, we want to help those living in poverty or help speak truth to power, and we don’t have the expertise to do that – but Christian Aid does. It enables us to be involved in what God has put in our hearts.
2020 was a year of great lows. Do you have any highlights? Our church group. We are a small group committed to justice, peace and environment – that’s why we call ourselves JPEG. We’ve organised a number of things in church, like watching a film on climate justice called ‘Thank you for the rain’ as well as a Zoom meeting to discuss it. The group hugely encourages me – they give me a shared sense of being ‘in it together’.
What do you hope to see Christian Aid do more of? Almost certainly challenging the structures. There’s that verse (Proverbs 13:23), ‘An unploughed field produces food for the poor, but injustice sweeps it away.’ Unless we tackle the systems and the injustice, then helping the poor isn’t going to achieve very much.
Where do you see the best of humanity? I think it’s really people who, against the odds, keep loving and giving in small ways. I believe every little bit of goodness, of which there is so much through the world, in some way God will gather up and bring into a different reality. That motivates me and gives me hope. Ultimately good will win out.
th leaders at er supporters and fai Margaret joined oth by event in 2019. The Time is Now lob
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