CHRISTIAN AID IRELAND Winter 2013 ■ Number 43
PHILIPPINES Typhoon Haiyan Appeal
Christian Aid Ireland
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Christian Aid Ireland is the official relief and development agency of the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland, the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Moravian Church, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the Salvation Army, and the Irish Council of Churches.
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Rosamond Bennett Chief Executive, Christian Aid Ireland Belfast Office: Linden House, Beechill Business Park, 96 Beechill Road, Belfast BT8 7QN Tel: (028) 9064 8133 Email: Belfast@christian-aid.org Contacts: Deborah Doherty, Head of Church & Community
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Christian Aid is a Christian organisation that insists the world can and must be swiftly changed to one where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. We work globally for profound change that eradicates the causes of poverty, striving to achieve equality, dignity and freedom for all, regardless of faith or nationality. We are part of a wider movement for social justice. We provide urgent, practical and effective assistance where need is great, tackling the effects of poverty as well as its root causes.
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Contents
Editorial The first editorial I wrote for this edition of the magazine was quite different. In it I talked about travelling in the summer to Ghana with Rev Dr Heather Morris and her husband Neil. I also talked about spending a week in Rwanda and Burundi with Rev Dr Rob Craig and his wife Karen. As a result of my visits overseas, I came back home determined to make some changes to how I live my own life. You can read later in the magazine about ‘Living Without’, the personal challenge I am undertaking on behalf of Christian Aid. When I chose the name Living Without for my challenge I was specifically thinking of Living Without shopping. But then typhoon Haiyan hit and it made me realise that this is how the people of the Philippines are now living. They are living without family members, without homes, without shelter, without basic services, without any means to survive, without the knowledge of what's happened to their loved ones. Many of them have got absolutely nothing left. They will have to rebuild their lives and their homes. I cried after speaking to colleagues in the Philippines. I felt their pain and was deeply moved by their accounts of what's happening on the ground. It is so very easy to feel helpless in the wake of a disaster like this but there is always a way to help. We can donate to the Christian Aid appeal, we can lobby the government to effectively address the issue of climate change and we can pray for all those affected and for all those working there. This is our last issue of the magazine this year and it seems inappropriate in light of what has happened to wish you all a happy Christmas and New Year. But I do hope it will be a happy and peaceful time for you and your family and I want to thank you for all your support throughout the year. God bless.
8 News ■ 4 IF CAMPAIGN CLOSES
What did it achieve? ■ 5 LIVING WITHOUT
No shopping for a year ■ 7 SYRIAN REFUGEES
Helping through Present Aid
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Emergencies ■ 8 PHILIPPINES TYPHOON
The worst storm on record
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Overseas ■ 10 CHURCH LEADERS
VISIT AFRICA Seeing Christian Aid projects for themselves
Campaigns ■ 12 PHANTOM FIRMS
Exposing the tax dodgers
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■ 13 WAKE UP TO Rosamond Bennett CEO Christian Aid Ireland
■ Cover: Residents walk on a road littered with debris after Super Typhoon Haiyan battered Tacloban in the Philippines on November 10. Our partners are working hard to get food, water and other essential supplies through to the most vulnerable survivors of Haiyan, one of the most powerful storms ever recorded. See centre pages.
CLIMATE CHANGE UN talks in Warsaw
Events ■ 14 CYCLING AND HIKING
Raising money and having fun
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Photograph: REUTERS/Erik De Castro courtesy of trust.org
Christian Aid Ireland
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NEWS
IF Campaign Draws to a Close
In June this year the attention of the world turned to the shores of Lough Erne, as County Fermanagh hosted the G8 Summit. For many this was an opportunity to highlight the great injustices so prevalent in our world, the ‘Enough Food For Everyone IF’ campaign was one such call for action to fix our broken food system. The IF campaign drew to a close on November 17th with a screening of the film ‘UK Gold’ at the Queens Film Theatre in Belfast. Over the past 11 months the IF campaign has seen a number of great successes; land grabbing in developing countries was discussed for the first time at the G8, and then acknowledged in the summit’s final declaration. The Big If event in Belfast also put pressure on leaders to consider the problem of tax dodging; an issue debated only days later. As of June, all UK crown dependencies and overseas territories have committed to signing a convention to improve transparency. The March UK budget saw the government keep its promise of giving 0.7% GNI to life changing aid. With the current global economic crisis and recession closer to home, this is a historic achievement. An additional £4.1/d4.9 billion of aid was pledged at the international ‘Nutrition for Growth’ summit by governments and businesses, a figure which could save the lives of almost 2 million children by 2020.
These changes could not have come about without the campaigning and support of so many across Ireland. Therefore heartfelt thanks must go out to everyone who contributed. Your actions have brought about positive changes for people in some of the world’s poorest countries. The end of the IF campaign does not, however, mean the end of work to tackle hunger. Christian Aid’s Dave Thomas, Chair of IF Northern Ireland, emphasises how although leaders are saying all the right things, ‘the problem is that they’re not saying how or when these pledges 4
Christian Aid Ireland
Christian Aid’s David Thomas, Chair of the Northern Ireland IF Campaign, addressing the pre-G8 campaign service at St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, in June. Photo: Neil Harrison Photography
will happen’. Thus it is essential that governments and corporations are held accountable to their commitments and promises. Efforts are set to continue across Ireland through the work of organisations, churches and individuals committed to seeing an end to global hunger. Christian Aid is particularly keen to see the positive aspirations of the G8 leaders regarding tax dodging put into action. The next stage of this campaign has already been launched, calling for a public register of the real owners of trusts and companies, so that it is evident who owns what, where, and for whose benefit. The Bible calls on us to feed the hungry, but until we have a globally fair food system this will likely prove impossible. The IF campaign has provided a catalyst for bringing to greater attention issues of aid, tax, land and transparency, and we must ensure the concerns raised and advancements made do not fade away. However our response need not always be on an internationally noteworthy scale; our personal food and lifestyle choices can have a major impact on hunger and poverty. Whether by buying fair trade products, by choosing foods produced in an environmentally sustainable way, or avoiding food waste, our choices can help and influence others. If we seek justice in our day-to-day lives we can ensure there really is enough food for everyone.
Living without luxuries In September, Rosamond Bennett decided to give up shopping for a whole year, for everything but essentials. Here Rosamond explains why she’s doing it and how it’s gone so far.
Rosamond at home surrounded by clothes that she now sees as a luxury Photo: Neil Harrison
On September 3rd 2013, exactly one year after joining Christian Aid Ireland, I gave up ‘shopping’. I decided to stop buying things I really don’t need, such as clothes, shoes, make-up, books and all ‘lotions and potions’. I can only buy essentials like toothpaste, antiperspirant, shampoo, shower gel and moisturiser. When my existing brands run out, I have to replace them with the cheapest available. I cannot receive any gifts either, which makes it even harder. It all started when I went overseas with Christian Aid and saw what life was really like for people living in poverty. I was particularly amazed by the women I met; they inspired me with their positive attitudes, resilience and determination. These women live on very little, always putting their families first, yet still take pride in their appearance. They do what they can to look their best and be feminine, yet in many cases have only one or two changes of clothes.
I felt ashamed seeing how little these women had. I thought of my bulging wardrobes, the bathroom spilling over with toiletries, the shoes under the bed and the books and magazines piled up around the house. I felt compelled to do something long term and that would challenge me in many ways. I cannot replicate the hardships of these women’s lives, but I can experience what it must feel like as a woman when you cannot buy what you would like or need. Instead of buying things, I am donating the money to Christian Aid. I hope to raise at least £1,000 through the ‘Just Giving’ website in Northern Ireland and g1,000 through ‘My Charity’ in the Republic. However hopefully I will do more than just raise money. It would be wonderful if I could encourage people to think what they could live without, to empathise with women in poor communities and to live more simply. I’ve obviously struck a chord, especially with women. I keep being asked questions like what will you do if you run out of make-up? And does that mean you won’t get any Christmas presents? The answers to which are ‘I’ve no idea, I’m trying not to think about it’ and ‘No, I won’t receive any presents for the next year’. I really appreciate the response I’ve had so far. It definitely helps knowing that there are people supporting me and perhaps thinking of ways they too can make changes. I want to be like the women I’ve met; to live simply, enjoy each day and be grateful for what I have.
Rosamond Bennett is Chief Executive of Christian Aid Ireland.
Rosamond will not be buying any make-up during her year of ‘Living Without’ Photo: Neil Harrison
Rosamond is sharing her experiences and stories of women fighting poverty in their families, communities and nations on twitter @rosamondbennett and on her blog, rosamondbennett.wordpress.com Christian Aid Ireland
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FUNDRAISING
Nets Work Appeal The Diocese of Derry and Raphoe received a boost to their Nets Work Appeal to raise £100,000 for mosquito nets in Nnewi and Makurdi Dioceses in Nigeria. Rev Canon John Okoli from Nnewi Diocese and Mrs Nanlop Ogbureke, Christian Aid office Nigeria, visited the Diocese for two weeks in October. During that time they spoke in Churches, schools, Rotary and Probus clubs, met with the Mayors of Londonderry, Donegal Town and Letterkenny and were interviewed on Radio Foyle and Highland Radio. More than £65,000 has been raised to date and you can help Derry and Raphoe reach their target by donating in either euro at mycharity.ie/event/earl_storeys_event/ or sterling at justgiving.com/NetsWork Left to right James Stewart, Canon John Okoli, Mrs Nanlop Ogbureke, Albert Smallwoods, Bobby Little
Open Schools Worldwide Pupils from Markethill High School and Head of RE, Mrs Hanna, presented Christian Aid’s Dave Thomas with a cheque for Open Schools Worldwide’s education work in Zimbabwe. The money was raised by form classes and was presented during a special Harvest Assembly. Photo: Jennifer Norris
Cake Sale in Co. Monaghan First Ballybay Presbyterian Church, County Monaghan, held a hugely successful cake sale and coffee morning earlier this year - raising D8,751 for Christian Aid Week. Photograph: Wendy Sloan
Laganside Walk Supporters of all ages enjoyed the annual Laganside Walk in September, raising funds for Christian Aid along the way.
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Christian Aid Ireland
Away in a manger, no crib for a bed…
Sawsan (26) with her four month old baby Taleb, born on arrival in Iraq from Syria. The document she is holding was given to her by the hospital in Iraq where she gave birth. Christian Aid partner REACH is one of the few organisations supporting refugees in northern Iraq. Photo: Christian Aid / Sarah Malian
‘Away in a manger, no crib for a bed…’ the words of this carol are no doubt familiar to many.
Not long after they arrived, Sawsan’s son was born safely; but the family does not have a permanent home and they are worried about what the winter will bring. ‘The way we live here is very difficult’ says Rafat, Sawsan’s husband, ‘Now winter will come and it will be cold.’
They remind us of the time God came to earth in human form; a child born in an animal shelter because there was nowhere else to go, born into a family soon forced to flee to Egypt in fear of their lives.
Sawsan’s family are not the only ones affected by the conflict in Syria. Since it began in March 2011, the UNHCR estimates that more than 2 million people have fled from their homes in Syria for safety. For those living in tents in makeshift camps across Lebanon and Iraq, and for those displaced inside Syria, winter brings with it fresh concerns. Temperatures have plummeted, with average winter temperatures between 5 and 10˚C during the day.
Today there are still many infants born without a real home or place to stay, and many more families forced to flee to safety. 26-year-old Sawsan arrived in northern Iraq heavily pregnant, and with three young children, after having fled the conflict in Syria. ‘I was very tired on the journey. It was very difficult. At times I fainted and they put water on me. The weather was very cold.’
As Christmas approaches this sider year, please con ich giving a gift wh e helps make lif that bit brighter ing for someone liv or through conflict, rld’s in one of the wo s. poorest countrie
Christian Aid’s partners on the ground are working to respond to these needs. By supporting Present Aid you can help them bring warmth and comfort to people forced to leave everything behind. Just £13/g15 could buy warm blankets to help families through the cold nights under canvas.
Other gift ideas from Present Aid A gift purchased through Present Aid supports Christian Aid’s fight against world poverty, and there are many other ideas available through the Present Aid catalogue or online at www.presentaid.ie From £5/f6 for a mosquito net to keep a vulnerable child safe as they sleep, to an earthquake proof house to help a homeless family in a country like Haiti rebuild their lives, a Present Aid gift not only shows someone that you care about them but also helps transform the lives of people around the world. Christian Aid Ireland
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COVER STORY
PHILIPPINES Typhoon Haiyan Appeal
In the early hours of Friday 8th November, Typhoon Haiyan thought to be the strongest tropical cyclone in recorded history - hit the Philippines. Thousands died while more than 13 million people have had their lives torn apart. Typhoon Haiyan, known locally as Yolanda, was 300 miles across when it struck the Philippines; it brought with it torrential rains and sustained winds of over 195mph. Homes have been destroyed, roads are blocked by debris, air and seaports are damaged, and water supplies, power lines and communication lines are cut. This in a region already struggling to recover from the previous month’s earthquake, which killed 222 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.
with furniture and clothes. We came upon rows and rows of houses, blown apart by the gusts.
JESSICA’S STORY
‘Sitting on the post of a concrete building - what was left after the walls and roof had been swept away - I met an elderly women looking out to sea, towards the islands further out. She told me: “I have children living in those islands and I have not heard from them. I am very, very worried.” Her sister, who had not been well, died in the storm. I could not bring myself to tell her that the aerial survey shared with us by the government a day before showed massive destruction of the small islands. I could not add to her distress and grief.
In the days immediately following the typhoon Christian Aid’s Jessica Dator-Bercilla carried out a rapid assessment in Iloilo on Panay Island. From Iloilo herself, she met people who had survived three storm surges as waves and wind destroyed everything around them: ‘Before I left for Northern Iloilo I tried to prepare myself for the devastation I would see. I have worked in many emergencies but it is a different story when it is your home. I cried all the tears I could before the plane landed so that I would not shed any more when facing people who have lost their loved ones, their homes and their possessions. ‘As we drove through villages we saw people in the streets, trying to move away from floodwaters that have claimed their homes. Trees and electricity poles blocked roads making it hard to travel, and streets were strewn 8
Christian Aid Ireland
‘So far the focus has been on the islands that were first hit by the typhoon. But the Philippines has thousands of islands and Haiyan passed across many small islands and upland communities. Many islands have beautiful beaches but no mountains to escape the wind or storm surges. They are so remote that in many cases the media will not have access to them; their stories will not be told. ‘These islands are where some of our partners work. Desperate to know if the communities they work with were okay our partners pushed us to urgency. But after travelling for hours to get to the nearest port we could not travel to the islands as almost all the boats had been destroyed by the typhoon. So we talked to survivors on the coast of the mainland. In the communities we visited, all we saw was silent courage. Not a tear was shed by those I spoke to. They were thankful they had survived.
To see a short video recorded by Josefa Pizon, from one of Christian Aid’s partner organisations in the Philippines, follow this QR code.
Typhoon survivor Imelda Betita stands among the destruction in her village in Iloilo province, on the island of Panay
Anita Gabero and her neighbour will no longer be at the mercy of the elements thanks to an emergency shelter kit provided by one of our partners in the Philippines.
‘In the middle of all the chaos and wasteland, in areas where homes have been destroyed for miles around, people showed bravery to move on despite the devastation. Laundry lined the streets, repairs have started, kids dried the toys and shoes they could find. That determination to live, the hope for the future, the empowered spirit is all they have right now. One man told me: “We will try to rebuild our houses with the rubble you see, one day at a time.” ‘It is an enormous relief to know my family and friends are safe. Hours after the cyclone hit they were struggling through the blocked and damaged roads to bring food and water to help people in another town the place where we spent many of our childhood summers and where my family claim its roots. Two of those volunteers were girls aged 8 and 10. Their act of courage sends a message to those affected not to lose hope.’ Jessica’s story reflects the situation in many areas of the Philippines. Our partners have spoken to humanitarian organisations that have been unable to get people to affected areas due to airport closures, but our partners were already on the ground and have been working with the communities since the typhoon struck in the early hours of that Friday morning. They aim to reach 37,500 people across the provinces of Iloilo, Samar, and Eastern Samar, with essential items such as food, water, blankets, basic first-aid kits and shelter.
PLEASE DONATE
Main Photos: Christian Aid/Jessica Dator-Bercilla
Taking Note: Grandmother Esperanza Daganta (80) tells Christian Aid about her needs. Making sure the elderly and the vulnerable are not overlooked is a crucial part of any disaster response. Photo: Alex Naye
Christian Aid has launched an emergency appeal to help those affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
The scale of the devastation in the Philippines is immense, but our local partners are already there, on the ground, doing all they can. We’ve helped people reach emergency shelters and will be providing families with essential items such as food, blankets, basic first-aid kits, cooking utensils, shovels for cleaning up and cash assistance.
€25/£21 A month's emergency
food for three families
€50/£40 Essential material for a
homeless family – tarpaulin, blanket, cooking pot, buckets and candles
€120/£100 Hygiene kits for 50 families to prevent the spread of disease
Please make your cheque/postal order payable to Christian Aid Ireland and post to: Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Appeal Christian Aid, 96 Beechill Road Belfast BT8 7QN
or
Philippines Typhoon Haiyan Appeal Christian Aid, 16-17 Clanwilliam Tce Dublin 2
Include your name and address, and please do not send cash by post. For credit card donations, please telephone Dublin (01) 611 0801 or Belfast (028) 9064 8133 Or visit christianaid.ie/philippines-typhoon
Christian Aid Ireland
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OVERSEAS
Democratic Republic of the Congo Two Irish journalists were given the chance to see for themselves some of the awful effects that the largely unreported conflict in eastern DRC continues to have on the civilian population. Widespread rape is used as a weapon of war by several militias and by members of the DRC state army as well. One survivor, Denge Eay, is pictured here outside her home near Kitutu in South Kivu province, as she told her story about being raped twice to Newstalk Radio journalist Shona Murray. The numerous testimonies of multiple and child rape were often distressing to hear, but the subsequent radio documentary and features in the Sunday World newspaper helped to shine some light on what is still happening in the eastern Congo.
Also in the photograph is interpreter Serge Lungele from Christian Aid partner ECC (The Church of Christ of Congo). ECC, which is an umbrella organisation for about 40 Protestant churches in DRC, provides practical support to families who have lost their possessions to ensure they can produce food and, where possible, raise an income. Another Christian Aid partner in this area, SARCAF (Support and Capacity Building Self Promotion of Women), helps women who have been attacked and also works with communities to change the attitude that tolerates violence against women and children. Mrs Eay gave her permission for this photograph to be used. Photo: Adrian Horsman
Presbyterian Moderator visits Rwanda Mrs Agnes Noel from Kayonza, eastern Rwanda, shows off the cow she received from a Christian Aid partner to the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church, Rt Revd Dr Rob Craig. Mrs Noel, a widow and grandmother, was given the cow by RWARRI (Rwanda Rural Rehabilitation Initiative). She was taught how to look after it and breed from it. Calves are sold on for profit, while milk from the cow is used by the family with enough left over to sell in the market.
Cross-party Irish political delegation visit to the Holy Land
Dr Craig, meanwhile, also travelled to neighbouring Burundi with Rosamond Bennett where he saw a number of other Christian Aid projects which will be supported this year through the Presbyterian World Development Appeal.
Three Irish politicians travelled with Christian Aid to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory to meet some of our partners in October. Derek Nolan TD, Anthony Lawlor TD and Senator Averil Power are pictured here with members of a women’s cooperative supported by Christian Aid partner PARC (Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committee).
Photo: Stephen Lynas 10 Christian Aid Ireland
Photo: Sorley McCaughey
Photo: Neil Morris
Methodist President visits Ghana The Methodist President Revd Dr Heather Morris was in Ghana in July. One of the projects Dr Morris visited was a primary school feeding programme overseen by Christian Aid partner SEND. As Christian Aid’s Rosamond Bennett said in her blog from Ghana, 'This was set up to encourage children to go to school and at the same time reduce hunger and malnutrition.
It was the last day of term and all the children were lining up to get fed. The head teacher, Insah Habiba (pictured centre), explained that normally they start with the youngest class, feed them and then bring out the next class but today everyone was being fed at the same time. It is a very simple scheme, but like any scheme, the success is in the implementation. SEND monitors the effectiveness of it and ensures that the schools in the poorest regions, are able to participate in it. Insah said that her numbers were continually increasing, meaning that not only were more children being educated but they were also getting more nourishing food. The community was benefiting too as the food was bought locally.'
launched in Dublin by Christian Aid partner ABColombia in early December.
Colombian journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima appeals to the Irish government for support.
THE REALITY FOR WOMEN IN COLOMBIA
Rape, torture and sexual violence is the hidden reality for many women in Colombia. Harrowing examples of violence were detailed in a report ‘Colombia: Women, Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and the Peace Process’,
Speaking at the launch, renowned Colombian journalist Jineth Bedoya Lima, who herself was tortured and raped while carrying out her investigative work into armed conflict and drug trafficking, called for urgent action from the Irish government. Jineth said: ‘In 2000 I was kidnapped when carrying out my work as a journalist. It is very difficult to demand justice when you know that the perpetrators of these crimes are free.’ She added, ‘The Irish government has made strong global commitments to the global agenda of women, peace and security. Because of this and their role on the Human Rights Council, Ireland is uniquely placed to urge the Colombian government to ensure that women and the issue of sexual violence are adequately represented at the current peace negotiations.’ Christian Aid Ireland
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CAMPAIGNS
Phantom Firms
One technique commonly used by tax dodgers to slip past the authorities is to hide their true identity behind a network of trusts and phantom firms. Phantom firms don’t have any staff and usually exist only on paper with the lawyers or accountants who set them up listed as the directors, while the real owners remain hidden.
In the Cayman Islands, one building houses 19,000 of these phantom firms and as US President Barack Obama commented in 2009, 'That’s either the biggest building in the world… or the biggest tax scam.' By denying poor countries the taxes they are owed, this tax scam damages their ability to fund public services, invest in infrastructure and to support their poorest citizens. As well as facilitating tax dodging, phantom firms can also be used to provide cover for the proceeds of organised crime and corruption. According to the UK Parliament’s Great Lakes of Africa group, phantom firms helped to syphon off over US$5.5bn of mineral wealth from the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, our campaign for the UK and Irish governments to take action on these phantom firms is beginning to make real progress. We presented over 17,000 campaign action postcards to Vince Cable MP, UK Secretary of State for Business, 12 Christian Aid Ireland
Innovation and Skills, calling for the creation of public registers of beneficial ownership of all companies. The following day David Cameron announced that the UK would do this and has now written to the President of the European Council urging them to do the same.
We are asking Irish Finance Minister Michael Noonan TD to introduce a public register in Ireland too. These registers would make information about the true owners of phantom firms, trusts and foundations publicly available. This information would then allow tax authorities to hold them accountable for taxes owed. We will continue to lobby both the UK and Irish governments on this issue. Please visit www.christianaid.ie/tax to find out how you can support the campaign.
Climate bride in unholy marriage with fossil fuels The unhappy marriage of Miss Climate and Mr Fossil Fuel
Wake-up call for politicians on Climate Change At the UN climate talks in Warsaw, which took place in November, the devastation of typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines was linked to a changing climate. The head of the Philippines delegation at the UN talks, Yeb Sano, made the link during an emotional plea for action by his fellow negotiators. Mr Sano pledged to fast until meaningful progress was made on climate change. Christian Aid, along with other agencies, has warned that without a concerted global effort to curb climate change, storms like Typhoon Haiyan are likely to become more frequent and more powerful. Christian Aid’s senior climate advisor, Mohamed Adow, said 'The people of the Philippines, like millions of others
On the day that the Polish hosts of the UN climate summit held a conference of coal producers Christian Aid's Senior Climate Change Adviser, Mohamed Adow, said: 'Inviting the fossil fuel polluters of the coal industry to a climate change summit is like a marriage made in Hell and will end in tears. 'Burning coal does nothing to help the climate and the presence of coal producers at the summit is offensive to people suffering from climate change.' Photo: Sean Hawkey/ACT Alliance
around the world, will remain at the mercy of a changing climate unless we act on the findings of the overwhelming scientific evidence and get a global deal on cutting carbon emissions. We must free these climate captives by choosing clean energy over dirty energy. Let this be the wake-up call for politicians to act.' Christian Aid also expressed concern that Irish Environment Minister Phil Hogan declined a meeting with the heads of charities before the climate conference in Warsaw and took the decision not to accredit any nongovernment representatives to the conference. 'Refusing to accredit civil-society representatives overturns more than 15 years of custom and practice,' said Sorley McCaughey, Christian Aid’s Head of Advocacy & Policy. Christian Aid Ireland
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EVENTS
Strangford Sportive Cycle
Thank you to everyone who took part in the inaugural Christian Aid Strangford Sportive Cycle 2013! It was a great success. 212 cyclists took part in the Strangford Sportive Cycle in Delamont Park, Co Down, on the first Saturday in October completing the 50, 25 or family-friendly 2.5 mile routes. The cycle has raised over £9,000 to date for Christian Aid's work in some of the world's poorest communities.
If you’d like to see a short video of the day, follow this QR code
Our thanks to the event sponsors - Podium 4 Sport who provided a support vehicle and The Good Little Company who refreshed the cyclists on return to the park with a Good Little BBQ. The Good Little Company has supported Christian Aid's food security programme for over 3 years. A heartfelt 'thank you' to the many volunteers who helped make the day run smoothly and also to St John's Ambulance. Details of the Strangford Sportive Cycle 2014 will be made available soon. You can also contact eventsireland@christian-aid.org to be added to the mailing to receive information on the 2014 Cycle.
Sheep’s Head Hike Around 150 people took part in the annual Sheep’s Head Hike in West Cork – the largest number to date, raising more than g2,000 for Christian Aid. Expressing his thanks, Christian Aid’s South-West Co-ordinator Andrew Coleman said, ‘I didn’t expect such a large group but everything went extremely well – and my thanks go out to all the leaders, caterers, local guides and historians, and the overall team of great supporters down here.’ 14 Christian Aid Ireland
Photos: Margaret Skuce
DIARY DATES DIARY DATE
December Christmas Sing Could you organise a small group of musicians to perform in a local shopping centre, airport or in your town centre?
Raise voices and funds this Christmas for Christian Aid. Email Belfast@christian-aid.org or dublin@ christian-aid.org for more information.
DIARY DATE May 2014
Christian Aid Week 11-17 May 2014 Supporter Conferences: Saturday 22 February 2014, Ballyloughan Presbyterian Church, Ballymena Saturday 1 March 2014, Belfast South Methodist Church Saturday 29th March 2014.
Presbyterian Moderator, Rt Rev Dr Rob Craig and his wife Mrs Karen Craig will be the keynote speakers at our Conference in Co. Donegal. Venue to be confirmed If you are involved in Christian Aid Week in any way we would love you to join us for any of these mornings (10am-1pm), and bring any others from your church or community. Email Belfast@christian-aid.org or dublin@christianaid.org for more information.
DIARY DATE October 2014
Fundraising Trek to Everest Base Camp
If you would like to support any of our regular Christian Aid lunches you are most welcome! Every Tuesday
1st Lisburn Presbyterian Church
The Methodist Church in Ireland are organising a Fundraising Trek to Everest Base Camp in October 2014 to raise funds for their World Development and Relief Fund and Home Mission. Closing date 6thJanuary 2014.
1st Wednesday of each month
To join them or to find out more email beth@irishmethodist.org
St Patrick’s Parish Church, Drumbeg, Co Down
Armagh Road Presbyterian Church, Portadown Centre for Celtic Spirituality, Armagh Cathedral
1st Friday of each month
Service with a smile: A team of Christian Aid volunteers pictured serving bread and cheese lunches in First Lisburn Presbyterian Church Hall. L to R: (front) Lottie McCreanor, Lorna Collins, Dorothy Conlan and Rae Henderson, (back) Susie Gilbert, Elizabeth Halliday and Lesley Bartholomew.
Christian Aid Ireland
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The Jesus Agenda is a film-based, nine week course that follows Joel Edwards on a journey across four continents through Lima, Lagos, Washington, New York and London.
Through interviews and case studies it explores how Luke 4, sometimes known as the Nazareth Manifesto, is shaping and challenging individuals, churches and organisations today.
An accompanying study guide designed for small groups, seminars or individual study provides space to re-examine the Jesus agenda of Luke 4 and re-apply it to the world we live in today. Groups will explore how the good news of the gospel and the liberating power of the Spirit should lead 21st century Christians to become advocates of the poor and vulnerable. This resource is produced in partnership with Christian Aid, Compassion and Micah Challenge. The DVD and single study guide is available free, although you may like to make a small donation to help cover costs if you are able. Additional study guides can also be ordered.
The Jesus Agenda will be launched in Ireland in both Belfast and Dublin in January 2014. The Dublin launch is on Wednesday 15th January in St. Catherine’s Church, Thomas Street, Dublin 8. The Belfast launch is on Thursday 16th January in Orangefield Presbyterian Church.
Visit facebook.com/thejesusagenda Produced in partnership with
16 Christian Aid Ireland
Both mornings begin with coffee at 10.30am. After the launch and a talk from Revd Dr Joel Edwards, there will be a light lunch. Please let the Dublin or Belfast office know if you would like to take part in either event. Northern Ireland Charity number XR94639 Company number NI059154 Republic of Ireland Charity number CHY 6998 Company number 426928