MU Connected Magazine Spring 2021

Page 40

CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN SUCCESS

THE BEST PRESENT: A BRIGHT FUTURE

Our record-breaking Christmas campaign will help thousands of women in the DRC escape the poverty trap – Thank you

I

n 2020, Mothers’ Union decided to take a fresh approach to its annual Christmas campaign and raise money to fund a twoyear project to support 1,800 women in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in accessing life-changing literacy and skills training workshops. To help us reach our fundraising target in an increasingly challenging economic climate, we took part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, which enables charities to reach new audiences online and maximise donations through match funding. ‘The opportunity to secure match funding for members’ donations, making each pound you donate go twice as far, was an opportunity we could not pass up, especially after the way you all so generously

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responded to our Urgent Appeal earlier in the year,’ said Adam Sach, Mothers’ Union Head of Fundraising, Communications and Retail. Our Christmas campaign was a resounding success, raising more than £124,000 to transform lives in the DRC.

which displaces local people, contributes to poverty, particularly in the north western and Kasai regions. Our literacy and skills training project in the DRC is about so much more than that. As well as literacy, business and agricultural skills training in the community, the project How will your helps reduce sexual and donations help? gender-based violence, and The DRC is one of the poorest bring about improvements in countries in the world, coming health, hygiene and nutrition. 179th out of 189 countries Naomi Herbert, Mothers’ in the Human Development Union’s Regional Development Index, with 76 per cent of its Lead for the DRC, said: population estimated to be ‘Thanks to your generous living below the poverty line on donations, we are able to less than $1.90 (£1.40) a day. support individuals through Repeated conflict and literacy and savings skills outbreaks of disease, plus training to grow businesses economic and political and build their confidence to uncertainty, coupled with take on leadership roles in the illegal mineral extraction community.’

Build communities where everyone can thrive www.mothersunion.org


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Articles inside

Best foot forward: Gozo and Malta members tackle the 5K challenge

5min
pages 50-53

Speaking volumes: The latest book reviews by members

8min
pages 46-49

Faith in action: Persevere when you pray and be close to God, says Catherine Kyte

8min
pages 42-45

Simply better: A Ugandan project shows how basic tools can transform

2min
page 38

Better relations: An Ethiopian group builds a bright future

1min
page 39

Create a greeting: Enter our Christmas card competition

2min
page 41

Festive joy: How the Big Give Christmas Campaign will help in the DRC

1min
page 40

Summer of Hope: Our plans to celebrate MU founder Mary Sumner

2min
page 34

Growing Leadership: MU needs leaders, could it be you, asks Marian Pope

6min
pages 35-37

Reflection: Love lights up the dark times along with humour, says Angie Jones

4min
pages 32-33

Online shop: Putting our new products and old favourites on display

2min
pages 30-31

Devotional: Bishop Emma Ineson shares her thoughts on the value of kindness

4min
pages 28-29

Burdens lightened: Bags of love that can help people cope with loss

3min
pages 26-27

COVID-19 and After: How we aim to survive and thrive in spite of the pandemic

4min
pages 24-25

Hot Topics: Two Bishops give their views on the role of foodbanks

9min
pages 20-23

Stronger together: Mothers’ Union partners who help us to speak out and be heard

4min
pages 16-17

Peace and Safety: How we are making a difference in South Sudan, Ethiopia and Hereford

4min
pages 10-11

Self-reliance: Projects making progress in Tanzania, South Sudan and Portsmouth

3min
pages 12-13

MU at the UN: How we are working with the UNCSW to help women globally

3min
pages 18-19

WWP Welcome: Sheran Harper introduces you to our new members’ magazine

4min
pages 4-5

CEO Letter: Bev Julien shares Mothers’ Union’s global vision

4min
pages 6-7
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