Response Nov–Dec 08
Issue 155
Belonging nowhere
The struggle of belonging for Egypt’s Christians
India’s mob-ocracy
Reflections on recent events in Orissa
Creative spending Turn your Christmas shopping into a lifeline for persecuted Christians
Be a voice for the voiceless www.csw.org.uk
Welcome
10 December marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights (UDHR) at the United Nations. The UDHR is arguably the most important non-Biblical text we have when working on behalf of our persecuted family. Although the Declaration itself is not legally-binding, states that sign up to it have a clear obligation to secure each of the rights contained for all of their citizens. Christians were involved in its drafting and so it is perhaps not a surprise that the Declaration speaks of humanity’s “inherent dignity” given that we have all been made in the image of God. Indeed, in seeking to honour the rights of others as enshrined in the Declaration, it is the closest we come at an international level to qualifying the teaching of Jesus that we should “love our neighbour as ourselves”. The Declaration seeks to provide a framework for a diverse world to treat even the very “least” of its members in a spirit of brotherhood and respect. The unfortunate fact is that – 60 years on from the signing of the Declaration – we live in a world where governments and peoples continue to pay little attention to the rights of others. Recently we witnessed the horrors of the attacks upon Christians and their homes in Orissa, India; the Iranian Parliament voting in favour of the death penalty for apostasy, and a Pakistani court granting custody of a Christian girl to her abductor to name but a few incidents. Yet, the Declaration remains a powerful tool for us. We are able to use the UDHR to highlight the ways in which governments are not living up to their responsibilities to protect the weak and the vulnerable. Particularly important for our work is Article 18 which acknowledges the right of every person to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The truth is that the Declaration is as important today as it was in 1948 in the aftermath of the Second World War. Human rights violations continue. Religious freedom continues to be ignored, trampled on, and curtailed. All the more reason that we should seek to uphold the UDHR and encourage our international neighbours to do so too. Please join us this December in remembering this important occasion and let’s hope and pray that the next 60 years will see a more spirited attempt at acknowledging the inherent dignity of all.
his right includes freedom to change his eligion or belief, and freedom, either alone r in community with others and in public or rivate, UDHRto manifest his religion or belief in eaching, practice, worship and observance. 18. Everyone has the right to his right includes freedom to change his eligion or belief, and freedom, either alone r in community with others and in public or rivate, to manifest his religion or belief in conscience
18
Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive
Please pay special attention to p23 of noticeboard for important changes to Response next year.
of thought, freedom
contents
Get in touch! Christian Solidarity Worldwide PO Box 99 • New Malden Surrey KT3 3YF Supporter Helpline 0845 456 5464 F 0208 942 8821 E admin@csw.org.uk • www.csw.org.uk Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all. UK registered charity number 281836 Company number 1536426 President Jonathan Aitken Patron The Baroness Cox of Queensbury Life Vice-Presidents David Atkinson, The Rev John Wildrianne, The Rt Rev Richard Hare Board of Trustees Chairman Franklin Evans Deputy Chairman The Rt Rev John Perry Other Members Anne Coles, Simon George, Sir Andrew Green KCMG, Nigel Grinyer, The Rev Chris Jones, Ernest Leland, Hector Mackenzie, The Rev Rory Macleod, David Shearman, David Taylor Board of Reference (partial listing) Lord Anderson of Swansea The Rev Preb Richard Bewes The Rev Lyndon Bowring Alastair Burt MP The Rev Dr Yonggi Cho The Rt Rev Lord Carey of Clifton Gerald Coates David Coffey (President of the Baptist World Alliance) The Rev John Coles (New Wine) David Drew MP Roger Forster Andy Hawthorne
The Rt Rev and The Rt Hon David Hope KCVO Simon Hughes MP Canon J John The Rt Rev Thomas McMahon (RC Bishop of Brentwood) The Rev Mark Melluish (New Wine) The Rt Rev Patrick O’Donoghue (RC Bishop of Lancaster) The Most Rev Dr John Sentamu (Archbishop of York) Phil Wall Paul Weaver
Response Magazine Editor Sally Draper Contributors Martin Dore, Sally Draper, Emma Howlett, Matthew Jones, Theresa Malinowska, Liz Pruett, Benedict Rogers, Anna-Lee Stangl Design Wild Associates Print Active Colour Copyright © Christian Solidarity Worldwide 2008. All rights reserved. Reproduction of this text permitted solely for CSW promotional use. For all other uses, please contact us.
SGS-COC-004432
This magazine is printed on paper from sustainable forests Packaged in biodegradable polywrap
Contents 4
Belonging nowhere
8
News
The challenge of belonging for Egypt’s Christians
Bringing you the latest news on religious persecution from around the world.
10
Creative spending
12
Living with faith
15
Passing the baton
16
India’s mob-ocracy
18
Easy steps to becoming a local PR guru
20
The brink of extinction
22
Noticeboard
23
Over to you
Creative ways to buy your gifts this Christmas
How Colombia’s Christians triumph adversity through faith
Motivating young people to get involved in our work
The terrifying reality of persecution in India
How to raise awareness of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in your local media
CSW visits persecuted groups on the Bangladesh-Burma border
Events, resources and dates for your diary
Your letters
Nov–Dec 08 Response 3
feature
Belonging Words Sally Draper
nowhere In August, CSW travelled to Egypt to visit Christians who are increasingly feeling the pressures of living in a predominantly Muslim environment. Stepping out of the hotel’s air-conditioned haven of calm, we emerged onto the pavement to find an angry sun beating its rays onto the dusty ground. Within seconds we were whipped up into a whirlwind of cars, exhaust fumes and street sellers – a frantic melange of sights, smells and sounds that pummelled us on every side. Throwing ourselves into the nearest taxi, we began a frantic journey through the city streets. High on every side, the city’s quaintly decrepit architecture oozed Ottoman and Mediterranean charm. As my Anglo-Egyptian colleague bartered enthusiastically with our driver in Arabic, I marvelled at the throaty, alien sounds that
4 Response Nov–Dec 08
emerged from his mouth and scraped past my ears like gravel, so incomprehensible to me compared to the familiar rounded vowels he’d been addressing me with just a few moments before. What a lonely feeling, I thought, to be surrounded by so much unfamiliarity. Never before had I felt so rewarded as to find those minute reminders of home – an English-inscribed Coca-Cola bottle, an Englishlanguage Bible, all of which stood out like familiar friends amid the foreignness of shisha pipes, roasted pigeon and bellowing calls to prayer. Dare I say it, on particularly isolated days even the towering arches of a McDonalds restaurant became beacons of familiarity. As we pulled up, it became apparent that twenty minutes of constant haggling had had no effect, and my colleague was soon drawn into further discussions as he bartered over a price. Finally, he stuffed a fistful of notes into the driver’s hand and the car spat us out onto the sidewalk. As the taxi sped away, whisking up a cloud of dust, we waited anxiously. Soon a stranger approached us. He muttered something in Arabic and signalled
feature
us into his car. We followed swiftly, CSW’s advocacy officer for the Middle East striding ahead while I followed close behind, painfully aware of the attention drawn by my pale skin and Western clothes. The engine purred and the car lurched into life. We twisted and turned through the streets of suburbia until I became disoriented, trusting our guide entirely in the absence of a common language to communicate my fears. We pulled up outside a tall brick building. “Stay close, stay quiet”, I was told as we darted out of the car and into the lobby. An elderly porter lay on a makeshift bed at the foot of the stairs, but propped himself up on one elbow as we hurried past, apparently startled to see foreigners on this side of town. We scrambled up three flights of stone steps and approached a brown wooden door. Three knocks, and we were in. Describing the rush of feelings that flooded my mind at this point is tricky. At once, excitement, gratitude and fear enveloped me in a tidal wave of emotion. Excitement at the prospect of meeting someone I had written about and prayed for, gratitude for the opportunity to reassure this person in some small way that we were there to help and fear that our presence would draw attention to a family whose lives depended on the condition that their whereabouts remain secret. With a cheerful countenance, Mohammad Hegazy welcomed us into the small, dimlylit flat. Greeted by him and his wife with broad smiles and warm handshakes, we took our seats in the living room and were immediately rewarded with that typical Egyptian hospitality that I have come to know and love. Glasses of 7up were offered round freely, and were promptly re-filled each time we lifted them to our lips.
Hegazy’s situation had already travelled the length and breadth of the international media. As the first Egyptian Muslim convert to Christianity to seek official recognition of his conversion from the Egyptian Government, he has faced a continued battle since his conversion in 1998. Hegazy’s wife, Katarina, also converted from Christianity, and their baby daughter, Miriam, was born in hiding. Wishing his daughter to be brought up freely as a Christian, Hegazy decided, after numerous refusals from the administration, to take legal action against the authorities to seek a change of his religion from ‘Islam’ to ‘Christianity’ on his ID card. The change may seem insignificant to us but the implications for Egyptian converts is no small thing, affecting on the one hand their children’s right to a Christian education whilst on the other hand ensuring they will face employment discrimination themselves. The magnitude of such a decision was soon realised as death threats and fatwas began flying from every side, even from the parents of both Mohammad and Katarina, who have vowed to kill their children if they refuse to return to Islam. As my colleague discussed with Hegazy the progress of his case, I lamented the barriers that prevent this young family from being pillars of faith and goodness in their community. What a waste, it would seem, that far from being free to go about their daily lives, they remain trapped inside these walls, unable to go outside and feel the sun on their faces, living in fear each day that their enemies will soon crash through the door.
Mohammad with his wife Katarina Hegazy and baby daughter Miriam.
“I lamented the barriers that prevent this young family from being pillars of faith and goodness in their communit y”
Nov–Dec 08 Response 5
feature campaign
We offered the family what seeds of hope we could – the promise to pray, and a promise to advocate – it dawned on me that our very presence was the one thing for which they were most grateful. Their gratitude and hope still plays on my mind. A few days later, we took to the road for the next leg of our journey. Gazing out over the blanket of burning desert sand through which the holy family had once fled, I begin to recognise how Christian converts in Egypt identify with Jesus, gaining comfort in this context from their shared threat of persecution. But in a bitter twist of fate, that reassurance drifts away with the realisation that these people are now being forced to flee the land which had once been Jesus’ refuge, and their only consolation is the assurance that they still share with Christ the same saddening prospect of having no earthly place to belong. Wilting in the oppressive heat, we drove to a monastery in the desert called Abu Fana. On arrival, we were met by a group of Coptic Orthodox monks, who led us to a secluded spot out of earshot from the state security policeman whose suspicions had been aroused by our presence.
The Abu Fana monastery
On 31 May the monastery was attacked by around sixty armed men. The catalyst for the attack was allegedly a land dispute, and the effects were shattering. The monks’ cells were set ablaze, and church property was damaged or stolen. We heard how two novices had been shot, while another priest who was working in the cultivated
land at the time of the attack was confronted by men who had beaten him with the butt of their machine guns on his shoulders, back, feet, and left leg. Three others were kidnapped and beaten solidly all night. Talking to the monks, the physical and psychological scars were evident even three months after the incident. The attackers claimed that the monks had been armed, which seemed faintly amusing to me considering that the virtues of peace and love are the cornerstones of their lives. As we waved goodbye to these peace-loving and altruistic men of God, once again I was haunted by the feeling that they, like so many others, are rapidly losing their sense of belonging. The winds of intolerance and misunderstanding appeared to have swept over the nation of Egypt, and were showing little sign of letting go. A few days later I reflect on two weeks of dust and drama, lamenting the gradual yet prevalent marginalisation of the Christian population, whose rich legacy should warrant them the right to live peacefully in their homeland but in reality is a distant dream. Egypt: the paradox. A veneer of tourism, pyramids, mummies and Pharaohs. The land where Jesus took refuge. A safe haven. But scratch a little deeper and a stark reality reveals itself. Torture, loss, discrimination, bloodshed and floods of endless tears. Was it what I expected?
What you can do Pray Please pray for Egyptian Christians using p5 of the enclosed Prayer Diary.
6 Response Nov–Dec 08
For the best Christmas gifts, holiday reading and church resources for the coming year, visit the CSW Shop online at
www.csw.org.uk/booksmusicanddvd.htm What’s more, every item purchased from St Andrew’s Bookshop through the CSW Shop will earn us 10% commission, at no extra cost to you!
10%
CSW RECOMMENDED TITLES
gelism, or at best, cal mission or
%3 +04&1) %h406;"
"/% # & / & % * $ 5 3 0 ( & 3 4
erature�
Joseph D’souza and Benedict Rogers +VTUJDF )VNBO 3JHIUT BOE ,JOHEPN .JTTJPO
"/(&-4
aces of and India, along ngdom, European nes the biblical gainst humanity, Concrete ples of great ivate and ce.
commission on all purchases
On the Side of the Angels
stice need to be d be seen as ary activity and
0/ 5)& 4*%& 0' 5)&
&-4
0/ 5)& 4*%& 0' 5)&
uncil, international al director of Dalit Freedom: Now
A wake-up call to the Church in the free world, On the Side of the Angels makes the case for putting justice and human rights advocacy at the heart of Christian mission.
ST ANDREW’S BOOKSHOP BESTSELLERS
works for Christian Lanka. He is a without Evil: don, UK. Religion / Social Issues
BN 978-1-932805-70-3
 
%3 + 0 4 & 1 ) % h 4 0 6 ; " "/% #& / & % * $ 5 3 0 ( & 3 4
On the Side of the Angels CSW Study guide
ON THE SIDE OF THE
ANGELS Study Guide
A user-friendly study guide to help readers dig deeper into the themes of the ground-breaking book and discover a new passion for justice. An ideal resource for small groups.
The Read of My Life Various Christian authors
Fifteen inspirational Christian authors, explain which books have touched them and changed their way of thinking. Each writer waived their royalty fees, which will be donated to the work of CSW.
The Shack
Living Water
The Best of Stuart Townend Live (2 CD)
William P Young
Brother Yun
Stuart Townend
ÂŁ7.99
ÂŁ8.99
ÂŁ14.99
Christmas cards For a great selection of Christmas cards which raise funds for CSW at the same time, please visit www.csw.org.uk/christmascards.htm. CSW receives a percentage of your spending at the retailers on this page. Happy shopping!
Visit the CSW Shop today at www.csw.org.uk/booksmusicanddvd.htm and add us to your ‘Favourites’! Be a voice for the voiceless www.csw.org.uk
NeWS
News Death of Gladys Moreno
It is with great sadness that we share the news that on 18 August at 11pm, Gladys Moreno passed away after fighting a year-long battle with lung cancer. Gladys, whose husband was disappeared by the Peruvian military more than 25 years ago, has featured numerous times in our prayer calendar and in Response and is also included in the Connect & Encourage mailing list. Those responsible for her husband’s disappearance and death have yet to be brought to justice. We would like to ask all CSW supporters to pray for her family at this time, and continue to pray for justice to prevail in the case of her husband.
Christian Solidarit y Worldwide urges European Union to address horrific human rights abuse in Eritrea CSW recently took part in a special hearing urging the European Union to take urgent action over their policy on serious human rights violations in Eritrea. Presentations on the dire situation of Eritrean refugees took place in the European Parliament on Thursday 18 September, hosted by Portuguese MEP, Ana Gomes. CSW, one of the co-organisers, presented an overview of the religious liberty situation in Eritrea, where over 2000 Christians are still detained without charge or trial in centres where human rights abuses occur routinely. CSW representative, Dr Khataza Gondwe, explained how the Eritrean Government has systematically targeted all religious groups, including Jehovah’s Witnesses, Evangelicals, Orthodox and Muslims. She called on EU officials to push for access to prisons and detention centres. CSW continues to urge the European Union to put respect for human rights at the top of its priorities in its relations with Eritrea and make their concerns crystal clear to the regime.
Pakistan – alleged kidnapper granted custody of Christian girl A Pakistani court has granted custody of a 13-year-old Christian girl to the man accused of abducting her. The Lahore High Court’s Multan Bench awarded custody of Saba Masihto, her alleged kidnapper, and ordered him to pay a 100,000 Rupees guarantee as a surety bond for her. Saba and her nine-year-old sister, Anila, were reportedly kidnapped by three Muslim men while they were walking to their uncle’s house in Muzaffargarh district on 26 June 2008. It is alleged that they were forced to convert to Islam and that Saba was compelled to marry one of the men. The ruling follows hearings on 6 August and 20 August when two medical reports were presented before the court to ascertain Saba’s age. The reports show her to 8 Response Nov–Dec 08
be between 15 and 17 years old, whereas her baptism and school certificate disclose her date of birth as 2 February 1995, making Saba only 13 at the time of reported conversion and marriage. The court’s decision comes as religious minorities appeal to Pakistan’s new President Asif Ali Zardari to protect human rights and religious freedom. Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, President of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference, has written to the new President congratulating him, saying: “We earnestly hope that you will use your exalted office to bring unity, peace and development in our land. We especially express our fervent wish that the religious minorities, who are small in number, may enjoy their just rights as equal citizens.” CSW is calling on the Pakistani authorities to intervene in this case to reunite Saba with her family.
news
Iran - Parliament votes in favour of punishing apostasy with death The Iranian Parliament has voted in favour of a draft bill stipulating the death penalty for apostasy. The bill was approved by 196 votes for, seven against, and two abstentions.
backwards step for human rights in Iran. The draft bill will add a number of crimes to the list of those resulting in execution, among them; “establishing weblogs and sites promoting corruption, prostitution and apostasy”.
News of the approval was withdrawn from the Iranian Parliament’s website just hours after it was published. Nevertheless, it was published by official Iranian news agencies, including the IRINN (Islamic Republic of Iran News Network) and morning papers inside Iran such as Resalat. The news was also seen on Radio Farda’s website.
In September, two Christians from Muslim backgrounds, 53-year-old Mahmoud Mohammad Matin-Azad and 40-year-old Arash Ahmad-Ali Basirat, were charged with apostasy at the Public and Revolutionary Court in Shiraz, Iran. They were subsequently released on 25 September.
The progress of this bill through the Iranian Parliament is a cause of grave concern for increasing numbers of Iranians who have left Islam for another religion, and a significant
CSW is calling on the British Government and the European Union to reject the bill and guarantee the immediate release of all who are detained on the basis of their religious beliefs alone.
ongoing campaign
Campaign launch Change for Burma!
One dream: Freedom Thank you so much for your support of Chinese Christians through One Dream: Freedom campaign. So far, we have collected over 2,000 signatures on our petition calling for real religious freedom in China. If you haven’t already, please download a copy of the petition from www.csw.org.uk/onedreamprotest.htm and circulate it within your church, friends and family.
You may recall that in June CSW launched the Change for Burma! campaign in response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Nargis. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Burma is ruled by one of the most brutal regimes in the world, guilty of every possible human rights abuse. In response we have launched the next phase of Change for Burma! as an exciting new joint campaign in conjunction with Partners Relief and Development UK. We are calling the United Nations to take concrete and effective action to see freedom and justice restored to the people of Burma.
If you’re subscribed to the campaign, watch out for an email update soon!
To find out more about what the campaign is calling for and to take part in our new ‘email your MP’ online campaign action, visit www.changeforburma.org today!
Thank you for using your voice to speak up for those who have no voice.
To read more about CSW’s recent visit to the BangladeshBurma border, turn to page 20. Make your voice heard today!
Nov–Dec 08 Response 9
feature
Creativ Christmas can be an expensive time of year, but it doesn’t mean you have to swap charit y donations for Christmas gifts. In our guide to creative spending, we reveal how you can continue supporting CSW’s work this Christmas at a minimum cost to you.
Christmas trees springing up in people’s houses, illuminations lighting up the city skies and already the mad dash to the shops is upon us. Christmas, despite its wonderful opportunities for celebration and fellowship, can also be an incredibly stressful time of year. As the media dampens our festive spirits with ominous news of the world’s impending financial crisis, it is understandable that many of us feel inclined to snap our purse strings up tighter than a snare drum. And charities in particular are feeling the burden of the global financial pinch. But with Christmas being a time of giving, how do we reconcile generosity with the need for sensible financial decisions? Can we be creative with our spending? We believe so and want to offer top tips on how you can support our work significantly this Christmas with a minimal impact to your bank account. 1) Be creative with your Christmas cards How many times have you felt you are drowning in Christmas cards? While they are well meaning, Christmas cards sent to friends and family can be an enormous waste of paper and money for something which will inevitably wind up in the recycling box. But for a persecuted Christian, a Christmas card can be treasured for years to come, offering a lifeline of hope to those who are isolated. So, why not avoid wastage by sending e-cards to your friends and family this Christmas, and use the money you would have spent to send Christmas messages of hope through our Connect & Encourage resource? Alternatively, you could save the money you would have spent on cards 10 Response Nov–Dec 08
and stamps and donate it to CSW’s work. If you do decide you would like to send Christmas cards this year, visit our website. 2) Gifts that make a lasting impact Are you tired of mundane Christmas presents? Are your drawers still bursting with the numerous pairs of socks that your great aunt bought you last Christmas? And do you spend hours stressing over a suitable present for your 2nd cousin who you only see once a year? Then why not buy a gift that is bound to make a profound impact, both to its recipient and to the people it benefits. Through CSW’s Unique Gift List, you can buy a meaningful gift which will also benefit persecuted Christians. For just £5, you can fund a day of training and support for one of the many brave human rights defenders in Colombia who work on a voluntary basis. £8 can provide 1m2 of precious roofing to help rebuild churches in Nigeria which have been destroyed during religious violence. And £27 can help fund the work of lawyers in Pakistan, who risk their own safety to help victims of the country’s notorious blasphemy laws. 3) Hit two birds with one stone Want to buy a gift for a loved one while also supporting the work of CSW? How about considering our range of books, CDs and DVDs? For the book worms in the family, we offer a range of titles including CSW’s advocacy officer for South Asia, Ben Roger’s, book On the Side of the Angels, written in collaboration with Joseph D’Souza; the international best-seller, The Heavenly Man and
e spending two books by Jonathan Aitken (CSW’s president), Prayers for People under Pressure and Psalms for People under Pressure. For those with an ear for music, we also offer a number of CDs, including the incredible album, T’Kebaeku (I am Anointed), by Eritrean gospel singer Helen Berhane. Also on offer is Anchor in this Storm, a unique collection of beautiful, uplifting gospel songs donated by various Nigerian artists to raise funds for the Stefanos Foundation, one of CSW’s partners in Nigeria. Lastly, for the film buffs, we offer several DVDs including India’s Hidden Slavery, a film by Michael Lawson in association with CSW and the Dalit Freedom Network which addresses caste, apartheid and exploitation in the world’s largest democracy. Alternatively, Remains of the Day documents the violent attacks on Christians in Maiduguri, Nigeria, in 2006. A must-have for those interested in religious persecution in Africa. 4) While surfing With the nights drawing in and the days getting colder, more and more people are choosing to do their Christmas shopping online. If you are one of the many people planning to avoid the frantic dash to the shops, there is a way to make your online experience even more rewarding. Firstly, set www.givebyclicking.co.uk/charity/csw as your homepage, and whenever you search using Google, a small donation will be made to CSW at no cost to you. When buying gifts, go to www.buy.at/csw where you can raise money for our work while doing your normal shopping online. Many of your favourite brands are available, including Next, HMV, Game, Marks & Spencer and Mothercare.
feature
5) In your church If your church is planning a donation to charity this Christmas, why not ask whether a collection over the Christmas period could go towards CSW’s work? Alternatively, you may want to make use of festive activities such as nativity plays, carol concerts or coffee mornings in your church to include donations to CSW. 6) And finally… If you are planning on making a donation to CSW this Christmas, make your money go further by ensuring it is tax-efficient. Through the current Gift Aid scheme, the value of your donation can be increased by 28%, that’s £2.80 for every £10 you give. To sign up for Gift Aid fill out and return the enclosed carrier sheet in the Freepost envelope provided.
Useful information Christmas cards www.csw.org.uk/christmascards Connect & Encourage www.csw.org.uk/writetothepersecuted 0845 456 5464 Unique Gifts www.csw.org.uk/alternativegiftlist 0845 456 5464 Books, CDs and DVDs www.csw.org.uk/booksmusicanddvd www.standrewsbookshop.co.uk/zones/1363.htm 0845 270 2160 Online www.givebyclicking.co.uk/charity/csw www.buy.at/csw
Nov–Dec 08 Response 11
faith
Living with
Words and photos Anna-Lee Stangl
Night had fallen when nineteenyear-old Yuvy heard the knock on the door of her home. From the loudness of the hammering and the voices of the men outside she knew that they had come for her husband. She watched, with her nine-month-old daughter in her arms, as the guerrillas led him away.
Twenty-seven-year-old Joel Cruz Garcia, the pastor of his local church, was taken away from the village of El Dorado, beaten and tortured on 5 July 2007. When the guerrillas ridiculed his faith and asked if he was afraid of dying, he quoted a verse from Philippians, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”. They responded by executing him with a shot to the head. Another pastor who worked in a neighbouring village, Humberto Mendez, aged 63, was also killed by the guerrillas that same night. The family’s ordeal did not end with the deaths of the two pastors. The following week, Yuvy and her infant daughter joined the ranks of Colombia’s approximately three million internally displaced people (IDPs). Yuvy, along with her daughter Lilly-Zarick, and her and her husband’s family were strongly advised to leave as soon as possible for their own safety.
12 Response Nov–Dec 08
feature
With the help of the regional Commission for Restoration, Life and Peace (CRVP), CSW’s partners in Colombia, they fled to the relative safety of the city of Ibague. However, Ibague has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, around 25%, and like many IDPs who flee the countryside to seek refuge in the cities, the family had few skills to earn a living in an urban setting and they have struggled to get by. This August, I visited Yuvy in the house which she and her family are renting with aid provided by the CRVP. Her daughter, LillyZarick, now almost two years old, played at her feet as she told her story. “At the beginning it was very hard,” she said. “I kept asking God ‘why? why?!’ But over time my question changed from ‘why?’ to ‘for what purpose?’” Over the past year, Yuvy has become increasingly involved with the CRVP and works as a volunteer on the CRVP-CSW joint project to document human rights violations committed against church leaders. She told me that she is convinced that God is faithful and that He will “make all things work together for good”. It is still unclear why the guerrillas, who were from the 17th Brigade of the FARC, had decided to assassinate the pastors that night. Yuvy, however, is convinced that they were killed because of their Christian beliefs and their work as pastors in an area characterised by a heavy FARC presence. Her grandmother, who remains in El Dorado, told CSW that since the death of Pastor Cruz Garcia, the church has grown
in number. This, in turn, has attracted negative attention from the FARC, and, she said, at least eleven people in the church are currently under threat. However, they continue to meet and worship God together, standing firm despite the attempts to intimidate them and stop the ministry of the church. Daniel and Amanda Vargas, the regional CRVP coordinators who work on a voluntary basis, told me how much Yuvy’s faith and commitment to living out God’s will in her life has encouraged them. They oversee the departments of Huila, Caqueta and Tolima – all three regions which have a significant FARC presence, and where many pastors and other church leaders carry out their work under the perpetual threat of death at the hands of the armed groups. One such pastor, Otto Figueroa, has featured in Connect & Encourage for a number of years. Four years ago, guerrillas threatened to kill him and his children after he refused to comply with the group’s demands for protection money, what they called a “vaccination fee,” from the church’s offering plate. At the time, he told me that he had prayed and wrestled with his conscience, and that despite his fear, he finally decided he could not give money donated by members of his congregation to God, out of their own meagre resources, to a group that would use the funds for violence and death. Since then he has received hundreds of cards and letters from CSW supporters, which have been a tremendous encouragement to him
IDP community leader in La Martinica, Ibague and CRVP Regional Coordinator for Tolima and Huila, Daniel Vargas
Yuvy-Andrea and Lilly-Zharick, widow and daugher of pastor assassinated by FARC in July 2007
Nov–Dec 08 Response 13
and to his church. He told me that he has not heard from the guerrillas over the past 18 months, and while he knows that these threats can return at any time, he believes it to be an answer to the prayers of Christians around the world.
top: IDP child in Tierralta bottom: La Martinica IDP community, Ibague
Life or death situations for pastors and church leaders in Colombia are nothing new. Threats, kidnappings and assassinations at the hands of the armed groups have been taking place for decades. Churches were forcibly closed in some regions, Christians were forbidden to meet together, and pastors were prohibited from preaching. However, most of these went unreported and were unknown outside the communities in which they took place, because of the intense fear of those who live in regions dominated by paramilitary and guerrilla groups. Even inside Colombia, there was little understanding of the impact the conflict had had on the Church. The victims and their families were isolated, cut off from the wider Christian body – and this in turn, made them vulnerable to the armed groups who could continue their campaigns of intimidation and assassination with impunity. The dedication of CRVP volunteers like Yuvy, Daniel and Amanda is both humbling and inspiring. During the August visit, in another part of the country, following an afternoon of listening to testimonies, one of the CRVP volunteers, a woman in her midtwenties from a particularly difficult region where guerrilla groups maintain an active presence, approached me. “You may not remember me,” she said, “but three years ago I attended one of your documentation workshops. Since then I’ve been documenting cases in my region. However, I now have a problem as I’ve finished documenting all the cases there. Would
you mind if I began documenting cases in the neighbouring departments?” As I encouraged her to continue documenting these cases, I was torn between feelings of joy at her dedication to being a voice for the voiceless and feelings of trepidation at the risk she was assuming by doing this work. She, like Yuvy, Daniel, and Amanda, know the danger associated with this work all too well. In Colombia, speaking out against the activities of the armed groups often has fatal consequences. They are convinced, however by the biblical message that when one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers – and that the larger Christian community in Colombia and worldwide needs to understand the suffering of their brothers and sisters. They are committed to ensuring that these cases reach the larger Christian body, even though the act of doing so exposes them to danger. CSW will support them all the way.
What you can do Pray On Sunday 16 November, Christians around the world will gather to observe the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP). Please see www.csw.org.uk/pray to see how you can get involved. Provide Why not write to Christians in Colombia using our Connect & Encourage resource? Download your copy at www.csw.org.uk/writetothepersecuted
or contact the office on 0845 456 5464 to request a paper version. 14 Response Nov–Dec 08
outcry
Passing the Baton Andy Haw thorne, Director of The Message Trust and one of the founders of ‘Hope’, reflects on the role of young people in the Christian ‘race’.
In Hebrews 12:1, we are encouraged to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us”. Consequently, we often view our walk with Christ as a marathon. Many of us see Christianity as a challenging course that extends until the end of our physical lives, and a race which must be run ultimately as an individual. We use verses like Hebrews 12:1 to push ourselves to remain faithful to Christ even in the face of difficulties. However, the notion of our Christian life as a marathon mistakenly gives the impression that we run our race independently and have to concentrate only on finishing our own race successfully. Paul presents a different view of the ‘race’ in 2 Timothy. For Paul, who is reaching the end of his time on earth, the race may be a marathon, but it is also a relay race. Paul recognizes the importance of training the next generation to take our place. We
have a responsibility to to be the spiritual leaders
equip young people of the future.
Paul outlines the things he has learned to ensure that Timothy is trained and able to rise up into a position of authority. Paul also encourages Timothy to do the same with others: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). It is essential to ensure that young people are ready and willing to take the place of those who will, one day, reach the end of their race. While CSW has a group of key, committed supporters, we need a group of dedicated young people who are keen to make a difference and ready to take action – a group of young people who are willing to seize the baton and continue the race. That is why I believe it is so important to get involved in Outcry.
How can I get involved… …as a young person or student?
…as a youth or student worker?
Decide today to take a stand against religious persecution.
Decide today to take a stand against religious persecution.
Visit www.outcry-uk.org/signup.htm and sign up as a young person.
Visit www.outcry-uk.org/signup.htm and sign up as a youth worker.
Receive our monthly email updates containing the most current information on cases of religious persecution around the world, and get involved in our current campaigns such as One Dream: Freedom and Change for Burma!
Receive our termly youth and student worker resource ‘Clamour’, which is packed with creative ways to get your group involved. Each issue contains Bible studies, case studies and activities that can be tailored to groups of different sizes and ages.
Nov–Dec 08 Response 15
Words David Griffiths Photos Marcus Perkins / CSW
India’s
What about justice? and how we can streamline the anger and anguish of those displaced 50,000 persons, and those that have called me during the violence and cried on the phone for help (older men, crying like helpless babies!), thousands of Christian men and women around the country watching this horror and wondering are we living in a democracy or ‘mob-ocracy’? From Sam Paul of the All India Christian Council, a CSW partner
Mob-ocracy One by one, the Christian victims stood up in the relative safety of the relief camps to share their harrowing stories of the trauma they had fled. One told of a pastor of 25 years who refused to renounce his faith. His mouth was cut off by a mob of extremist Hindu attackers in retribution for his preaching. The mob then cut him into pieces and set his house on fire. When his elderly mother, who was deaf and dumb, tried to intervene, she was thrown onto the fire and burnt alive. In another camp, I met a tribal family with a twomonth-old baby, who had spent much of her short life fleeing those who would end her life because of the Christian community to which her family belonged. Her parents quietly asked for prayers. Another lady simply wept and said through her tears, “They came and looted everything we had”. These are a handful of tales among thousands for Orissa’s Dalit and tribal Christians, in the pogrom that began after Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati, a controversial Hindu leader, was gunned down on 23 August. Nobody knows who killed him, though police have said they suspect Maoist insurgents, 16 Response Nov–Dec 08
known in India as Naxalites. Within hours of Saraswati’s death, extremist mobs were on the rampage, blaming Christians for his death and baying for blood. The violence has been brutal and devastating. Catholics in Orissa say at least 50 people have been killed, although with reported deaths by burning or burying alive more difficult to verify, the real total is unknown. At least 4,000 homes have been destroyed, and 50,000 Christians have been forced to flee. Christians trying to return to their homes after the violence have faced either more violence or being forced to convert to Hinduism. On 27 August, a Catholic leader of 30 years was told to convert with an axe held to his neck. He has since been repeatedly forced to attend the temple for worship. However, this is not about Christianity clashing with Hinduism. Innocent non-Christians have also been hit by the force of the violence, including an employee at Catholic orphanage who was burnt to death when the building was set on fire. Many Hindus have sheltered Christians from the attacks, and have spoken out against the violence. This is instead about the systematic targeting of Dalit and tribal Christians, their churches and their property, by proponents of hard-line Hindu
Above and opposite: A relief camp in Bhubaneswar, Orissa.
nationalism known as Hindutva. Proponents of Hindutva portray Christians along with Muslims as enemies of the nation, and reject the right, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to change one’s religion. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), the extremist group which is behind the violence in Orissa, has previously used the chilling slogan to identify its targets: “Pahle Kasai, Phir Isai”, which translates as “First Muslims [a derogatory term], then Christians”. Although Christians have suffered many religiously-motivated attacks in India, nothing has previously taken place on the scale seen in the Kandhamal district of Orissa, first in December 2007 and now since August 2008. The authorities did pitifully little to help the Christians and secure justice after the December 2007 attacks, which saw physical beatings and the widespread destruction of churches and Christians’ properties. This time, the attackers have been out to kill, and the relatively small contingent of security forces has been overrun. Police have refused to file cases, or have arrested victims instead of their attackers. Yet unless the government acts firmly and decisively to protect
the Christians in Kandhamal, this violence will be repeated again and again until they are eliminated. One man in a relief camp turned to broken English after recounting his story to me in Oriya, the local language. He said slowly, “Brother, in these days of difficulties and sorrows, pray for us to almighty God”. Said another elderly pastor, “Brother, it looks like God has forgotten me. Did you also forget me? Please do something for us”. The violence has shaken India’s Christians to the core. They badly need our solidarity and support. Let’s stand with them now.
What you can do Pray Please pray for Christians in India using p7 of the enclosed Prayer Diary. India also features as one of our countries of focus for the International Day of Prayer (IDOP) for the Persecuted Church on Sunday 16 November. Why not also get the young people in your church involved? CSW has produced a new Outcry India resource specifically targeted towards young people. Please visit www.csw.org.uk or phone 0845 456 5464 to receive your IDOP resources.
Easy steps to becoming a
local PR Guru If you know something worth shouting about, then don’t just keep quiet, get it published in your local press by following Theresa Malinowska’s simple and easy steps.
At CSW we want to improve religious freedom all over the world and believe the media can play an important part in highlighting human rights abuses. We want the world to know what’s going on behind closed doors. Justice and liberty can only be protected if the truth is told, and that’s why we believe in being a voice for the voiceless in the international, national and even local media. We have an opportunity in December to use the media to highlight human rights. As Mervyn explained in our editorial (page 2) 10 December marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). CSW wants to draw the beady eyes of the media to article 18, which states that ‘everyone
has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion’. It goes on to state that ‘this right includes freedom to change religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.’. Time and time again we are reminded of how far we are from seeing these principles universally applied. And as the anniversary approaches, we would like to ask you to help us achieve media coverage on behalf of the persecuted Church around the world. So where do you start? Just follow my simple and easy steps.
Step 1 – event First things first… what event do you want the media to cover? To get local coverage you must have a local angle. In short your story is that you are holding a local event to highlight an important international issue on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the UDHR. Here are a few ideas you might want to consider: Holding an event to mark the anniversary – perhaps you could light 60 candles in your service, hold a prayer meeting to remember particular prisoners, bake and sell 60 cakes and donate the funds to CSW, hold a stand outside the church with various 18 Response Nov–Dec 08
CSW campaign literature such as the China petition, Change for Burma! activist materials or a letter to the Foreign Secretary concerning the violence in Orissa, India (all available at http://www.csw.org.uk/getinvolvedhome.htm). Perhaps Churches Together in your area could be encouraged to draft a statement commemorating the UDHR anniversary and incorporating the message outlined opposite? If you can persuade a local ‘name’ to support any event you hold, all the better.
Step 2 – message
Step 4 – information
Have a clear message. In your article or interview you need to be ready to answer the following questions:
If they accept, try to send them information by post or email giving some more details. Summarise the whole issue in three or four sentences which they can copy and paste for the print media. Try to include CSW’s website www.csw.org.uk so that people can follow up if they are interested. Offer a photograph of a prisoner and/or your event and someone they can speak to for a quote. If they decline, ask if they would like the contact details of CSW for future reference on stories of religious freedom. Thank the journalist for their time and interest. You are helping to form their first impression of CSW.
Why Now? It is the 60th anniversary of the UDHR on 10 December. Why focus on Article 18? We believe all the rights enshrined in the UDHR are important and should be universally applied to all people. We are focusing on article 18 for two reasons. Firstly it can often be used as a litmus test of the state of human rights generally in a country. In other words faith is about who we are and what we believe – if a state is willing to restrict this most basic human right, they are likely to restrict all other rights too. Secondly as Christians we have a connection with other Christians around the world. We believe those who suffer for their faith often have no voice and we want to express our solidarity with them on this important anniversary date. Why should other people care? a) These basic rights are being violated all around the world every day. b) We can make a difference through our prayers and campaigning. You can have examples of these violations to hand from this magazine and from our website. Try to tie in the rights enshrined in the UDHR (set out above and explained in the Editorial – page 2) to stories of persecution that you are familiar with. I would suggest China (using the points on our China petition), along with India and Iran from this magazine.
Step 3 – media Where do you want the story to go? Maybe on the radio or in the local newspaper? Make contact by phone, briefly explaining about your event – what is happening, when and why?
Step 5 – contact CSW Call CSW’s press office on 0208 329 0045 to let us know the progress you have made and to give us contact details of the local media you have been in touch with so we can help you with the follow up if needed. A relationship with the media is a relationship like any other, it needs a bit of nurturing and quality time, but once the foundations have been built the rest comes naturally. Thank you for helping CSW increase the public’s awareness of human rights. Let’s work together to see religious freedom restored in every nation.
If you feel inspired by this article call Theresa Malinowska at CSW’s press office on 0208 329 0045 for more details.
In August, CSW’s Advocac y Officer for Burma, Benedic t Rogers, visited the Bangladesh-Burma border. He met Muslim Rohingya refugees living in desperate conditions, defectors from the Burma Army in hiding, and Buddhist monks who had fled Burma following the regime’s crackdown on protests last year.
The brink of
extinction “We are a people at the brink of extermination.” With those words, a Rohingya refugee began describing his people’s suffering in Burma. Sitting in a bamboo hut in a camp on the BangladeshBurma border, amidst sickness and malnutrition, I heard why thousands of these people have fled their country. Many exist in dire conditions, in temporary shelters in Bangladesh with no food, medicine and poor shelter. As the rain poured down, I saw how bleak it can be to live under a few strips of mouldy tarpaulin in the wet season, as the water seeped through the ground and dripped through the roof. In addition to the forced labour, rape and torture that all Burma’s ethnic groups face, the Rohingyas are singled out in a dehumanising way, denied citizenship status despite having lived in Burma for generations. Travelling even to another village requires special permission. Marriage is restricted, as is access to education. And the Rohingyas face 20 Response Nov–Dec 08
daily extortion by the Burma Army – and arbitrary arrests and torture if they cannot pay.
The Rohingyas are a predominantly Muslim people, and they face severe religious persecution. Mosques are destroyed and permission to renovate, rebuild or extend religious buildings is denied. “The regime is trying to take away our identity,” one man said. All he wants, he said, is to be able to live in his own country “with full rights and dignity”. Three defectors from the Burmese border security force, known as the ‘Na Sa Ka’, confirmed the refugees’ account of life for the Rohingyas in Burma. “Throughout my life in the Na Sa Ka, I was used to this
system of arresting Muslims, asking for money, torturing them, every day,” one former soldier told me. “We only arrested Muslims, not Rakhines.” It is clear that the predominantly Buddhist Rakhine people, the majority ethnic group in Burma’s Arakan State, are suffering too. Forced labour is widespread, and the Rakhine language is banned. “The regime is carrying out an attack on our language, culture and identity,” a Rakhine leader told me. And the regime plays the Rakhine and Rohingya against each other. “It is part of a divide-and-rule strategy,” said one Rohingya. “The regime is trying to assimilate the Rakhines and eliminate us.” A year ago, Buddhist monks led pro-democracy protests in Burma that became known as the ‘Saffron Revolution’. In a dank, dark apartment tucked away in a corner of Cox’s Bazaar, near the border with Burma, I met five monks who had played an active part in the Saffron Revolution and since fled to Bangladesh. One of the monks had marched past the home of detained democracy leader and Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on 22 September 2007. To the world’s surprise, Aung San Suu Kyi emerged at the gate of her home, where she has spent more than twelve of the past eighteen years under house arrest. “Many monks were crying, and she was also crying,” he told me. “But she looked strong. Her expression showed she would never give up. The regime can arrest her physically – but they can never arrest her spirit and her mind.” It may seem unusual to some readers that CSW visited persecuted Muslims and Buddhists. There are several very good reasons for it. First, our biblical mandate is for justice – for all. Proverbs 31 tells us to “speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves”. Secondly, as one Rakhine told me,
if we do not speak up for the Rohingya, they may have nowhere else to go except extremism – and that is the last thing Burma needs right now. Everyone on the Bangladesh-Burma border was quick to point out to me how forgotten the people in this part of the country are. Very few international activists and organisations visit Burma’s western borders – far fewer than those who go to the Thailand-Burma border. We have an opportunity, therefore, to be a light in the darkness. And finally, there is an important link between speaking up for others and our core focus on the persecuted Church. The Church cannot ever exist in isolation. We are in the world, though not of the world. So, if we are to truly serve the persecuted Church, we must take a holistic approach. Change for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ in Burma will only come with change for all the people of Burma. Religious freedom for Christians in Burma cannot be divorced from freedom for all. That is why we went to the Bangladesh-Burma border, and that is why we will speak out for all the people of Burma. And it is also why we have launched our new Change for Burma! campaign, in association with Partners Relief and Development UK – and we urge you to join us in helping to set the captives free.
What you can do Join the Change for Burma! campaign to help those suffering in Burma. Visit www.changeforburma.org for information and resources including: Pray – A downloadable prayer guide for use in your church, house group or individually. Protest – An online tool to email to your MP to request the UN Security Council to bring the regime before the International Criminal Court and impose a universal arms embargo. Provide – An e-card which can be sent directly to those suffering in Burma. Make your voice heard today! Nov–Dec 08 Response 21
noticeboard
Noticeboard Dates for your diary
Saturday 8 November
CSW London Conference 11am–4pm
We will be holding our London Conference on Saturday 8 November at the Emmanuel Centre, 9–23 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 3DW (nearest tubes Westminster, St James’s Park, Victoria). Tickets cost £5 and are available from the CSW office on 0845 456 5464.
out and about In the coming months CSW staff and representatives will be giving talks about our work in the following locations: November 2 Solihull, London (SE3) 16 Ipswich, Worcester, Bushey, Standish, Horsforth, Stoke-on-Trent, Leicester 23 Leigh-on-Sea 30 High Wycombe, Edinburgh December 7 Darlington January 11 West Thurrock 18 Loughborough February 8 Lurgan (NI), Mansfield 10 Stirling 15 Loughborough For more information on these speaking engagements, please visit www.csw.org.uk/speakingengagements.htm or call 0845 456 5464. Please note that all dates are subject to change.
22 Response Nov–Dec 08
We frequently get asked when we will be sending a CSW speaker to a particular area. The answer? When we get a request! If we aren’t already planning to speak in your area and you would be interested in learning more about CSW and the work we do, why not consider requesting a CSW speaker for your church or group? Proverbs 31:8 says to ‘Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves’, and we hope to do that not just through our advocacy work but also by sending speakers to churches and organisations throughout the UK. Not only does our persecuted family deserve our support, but having a CSW speaker is also a wonderful way to inspire, inform and equip the members of your church to get involved in issues of religious persecution. We are already beginning to plan our 2009 speaking engagement schedule and would love to be able to send one of our excellent speakers to your area – so do contact us if you are interested in booking a speaker! Call 0845 456 5464 or visit www.csw.org.uk/requestaspeaker.htm for more information.
noticeboard
Exciting changes to Response! As part of an ongoing initiative to improve, we have decided to issue quarterly issues of Response in 2009. By conserving funds and paper, we aim to channel more resources into our work with persecuted Christians. But don’t worry; you will still receive Response Magazine and Prayer Diary. Look out for your new spring issue of Response, coming out in March 2009. In the meantime, keep an eye on our website, www.csw.org.uk, for prayer points and news throughout January and February. If you do not have access to the internet, but would like to keep praying for our work in January and February, phone the office on 0845 456 5464 to receive prayer points by post.
We would love to hear your views on anything featured in Response magazine. Please email letters@csw.org.uk or write to us at Christian Solidarity Worldwide PO Box 99 • New Malden • Surrey KT3 3YF We reserve the right to edit your letters for clarity and space.
new resources International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church, 16 November – Prayer Toolkit Join us in praying for hope to fill the lives of persecuted Christians using our uplifting prayer toolkit. Stand in prayer with us for Christians in Nigeria, Peru and India as we trust in the Lord to strengthen and renew them. For your copy either call the office 0845 456 5464 or visit www.csw.org.uk/idop. New additions to the CSW Unique Gif t List
CSW sponsored challenges 2009 Over the last few years, CSW supporters have bravely hiked through the Himalayas, trekked the Great Wall of China and climbed Ben Nevis to raise greatly needed funds for our work. If you’re keen to follow in their footsteps, why not take a look at the variety of exciting sponsored CSW challenges on offer in 2009? See the advert on the back page of Response for a taste of what’s on offer or visit www.csw.org.uk/events to see the full range of challenges and find more details. Please note that all of CSW’s 2009 sponsored challenges are Open Events, and are not exclusive CSW events.
Look out for the special Unique Gift List Winter 2008/09 catalogue, enclosed with this edition of Response! Alongside all the existing favourites, we’ve added a range of wonderful new gift options including A Fair Trial: China, Humanitarian aid: Burma and A lifeline for Eritrean refugees: Kenya. All of our gifts are now available for purchase, using the catalogue order form or by phoning 0845 456 5464. Nov–Dec 08 Response 23
CSW CHALLENGES 2009
Go the extra mile for freedom and justice! Ben Nevis Weekend Climb
For the experience of a lifetime and the opportunity to raise vital funds for CSW’s work, why not take on one of these amazing sponsored challenges?
September 2009
Hadrian’s Wall Weekend Trek August 2009
www.charitytrek.co.uk/trek/ben_nevis_challenge
www.discoveradventure.com
Peru Machu Picchu Trek September 2009
Vietnam Hilltribe Jungle Trek October/November 2009
www.discoveradventure.com
www.discoveradventure.com
All of these events are Open Challenges, which means they are not exclusive CSW events. For more information about all of these exciting challenges, please visit the CSW Events page at www.csw.org.uk/events
Be a voice for the voiceless www.csw.org.uk