TALKING ISSUES - ‘The first reaction to truth is hatred’ –
Tertullian (c160-c220AD)
insist, ferociously, that everyone has a right to believe whatever they like. We declare as if it was self-evident, and often in a rather superior (not to say patronising) manner, that the only acceptable absolute truth claim is that there is no absolute truth. And we maintain that we must be tolerant towards all beliefs except those of people who would argue that there is We would agree, I am sure, that you absolute truth to be discovered. and I are largely responsible for the actions (and omissions) of those who It was Allen Bloom who first lead us. In the context of the outlined these things (in The Closing economic and political melt-down of the American Mind, 1987). He that this nation presently faces, our said that ‘the danger that [students in leaders in Parliament, in commerce the USA] have been taught to fear and in the media swim on the surface from absolutism is not error but of, and receive their support from, a intolerance … The point is not to largely complacent, sentimental and correct the mistakes and really be unthinking population - a population right; rather it is not to think that you to which we belong. And, of course, are right at all’. We are the first we would accept that you and I are as generation to grow up determined inclined to corruption, greed and the not to believe that there is one way to abuse of power as they are (all the live that is better than all others. This surveys confirm this), even if our lives has led to chaos and, I believe, to a may be painted on a narrower canvas. good deal of avoidable pain and suffering. There have been seismic shifts in the West over the last couple of hundred The appalling consequences of the years. We have moved from a broadly actions of those who have claimed to universal acceptance of the truth be right in the name of religion are claims of the Judaeo-Christian too legion to mention, so it is right religion (or rather, to be clear, those that there should be deep concern that served the established order), about the claims undergirding such through the ever more obviously belief systems. But there have been inadequate claims of the equally abysmal consequences from Enlightenment for the supremacy of the actions of those claiming no rationalism, through Modernism’s religious affiliation – Hitler, Mao, bitter rejection of the certainties of Stalin, Pol Pot to name but a few. the past to the universal doubts and The ‘assertion of truth has often been (self-refuting) relativism of a means of suppressing freedom’ (as Postmodernism, where our feelings Joseph Ratzinger has said), but the fear of intolerance is not a reason for become the basis for our morality. denying that there can be a better We no longer know what we believe way. in our land. And thus, there is no consensus as to how to behave, how Surely we need to start again. We to set boundaries, how to prioritise, know (as Nietzsche did) that the faith how to bring up our children or care claims of mere rationalism can never for our elderly, how to make our be a sufficient basis for a contented Bertrand Russell’s money or look after our poor and society. those in need. We no longer know ‘collocation of atoms’ leads but to right from wrong. It was G.K despair, Dawkins’ genetic theories to Chesterton who said that ‘when a purposelessness and apathy. No man stops believing in God, he does wonder Francis Crick, the discoverer not then believe in nothing, he of the genetic code, believes in believes in anything’. This may panspermia! We know that we all indeed have once been right. But we thirst for something more than we have moved on: not only do we not can find by the exercise of our know what we believe but we now intellect alone; we know that love
In previous newsletters, I have written about the breakdown of trust in this nation, about our collective loss of a common identity that might bind us together in bad (and good) times and about the inevitable consequences of gigantism and the centralisation of power - and their odious daughter, inequality.
C ON TAC T I N G T H E B E S OM
If you would like to discuss giving thin g s, sk i lls or ti m e please log on to www.besom.com and click on ‘Local Besoms’ to find the nearest Besom to you. Alternatively you can call The Besom HQ on 020 7223 6522 who will be able to point you in the right direction.
should have as great an influence upon our actions as reason: St Francis once said, ‘real love can teach in a flash what a thousand volumes cannot’. But I do not see real love being given anything like the prominence it should have in our land. Yets what is love? Might Pilate not have asked this question as easily as he did ‘what is truth?’ There are as many views these days about the one as there are about the other. I do wonder, as the discussion on morality inevitably starts up again against the backdrop of that greed and corruption that has brought our country low, whether we might not collectively pause, reflect and reassess. Is there not a source of real love and justice and truth that is outside ourselves, accessible by a union of reason and revelation? It would certainly ease the anguish and the sense of hopelessness of the poor if there were – as so many of those who have gone out through The Besom over the years would confirm. As it moves on this year, as it spreads across the country and as HQ takes a lesser role, it is only right that I should affirm that I have found over the past 21 years since I started The Besom that the life and teaching of Jesus, and his example of love, is admired and respected whatever a person’s stated religion or faith position, be they Moslem or atheist, Christian, Hindu, secular humanist, Buddhist, New Age or agnostic. There is no other person in history of whom that can be said. Might he be a good starting point for a new foundation stone for our society? It is a compelling moment in the narrative when Pilate asks his question, knowing as we do that he poses it to a man who declared himself to be the Truth - and Jesus’ love for all humanity is unquestioned. Martin Luther King wrote: ‘I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word on reality’. I agree. So, most certainly, would the poor. James Odgers Founder The Besom
For all oth e r e n q u i ri e s please call: 020 7223 6522 // fax: 020 7223 6548 // email:info@besom.com or visit www.besom.com The Besom is a Christian charity.
This newsletter has been printed with funds given especially for that purpose
Registered charity no. 1104026 Editor: Emily Holmes
If you would like to discuss giving m on e y please call: 020 7223 0119
A big thank you to all who have given money, time, skills or things
UPDATE
Since the last newsletter in November 2008, those giving through The Besom have provided the funds for the purchase of…
Materials to build a cattle shed for an income generating programme for an orphanage in Malawi Cooking equipment for a feeding and homeless project in London Materials to build an extension to a hospice in Britstown, South Africa Materials for the refurbishment of a home for orphans in Romania Capital costs for drilling a well for a small community in Nigeria Furnishings for the dormitories at a training centre for skills based projects, HIV/AIDS awareness and sustainable agriculture in Zimbabwe A lorry to collect raw materials and take finished products to market for an ex-offender brick-making project in Ukraine Beds, mattresses, tables and chairs for a youth and childrenʼs centre in South Africa Trees, shrubs, soil, swings and a new door for a disabled childrenʼs home in Bethlehem Nursing chairs and mirrors for a residential home for young mothers in London Toys for a residential centre for vulnerable young mothers in London A Perkins Braille machine and thirty sets of styluses and slates for Braille classes in Sao Paulo, Brazil 100 goats and 20 drug kits for a LOMADEF training farm in Southern Malawi Materials to construct a basketball/volleyball court for a leadership academy in Rwanda DJ equipment and sports equipment for youth outreach project in Wales Flooring, paint, sofas, kitchen units and a kitchen worktop for the refurbishment of youth drop-in centre in Roehampton London Building materials for a toilet block for A new community housing project in Ethiopia Materials for a pitched roof and the electrical installation of a maternity/delivery ward for healthcare project in Afghanistan Pool tables for a refurbished youth club in Essex Five stainless steel workbenches for the kitchen at a menʼs homeless centre in Devon Materials to build a foster care and special needs centre in the aftermath of an earthquake in China A pump, pipes, a tank and fencing materials for the irrigation of a vegetable garden for an orphan feeding project in Swaziland A water boiler for tea urns in a homeless day centre in Westminster Electric oven and baking trays for a bakery at a children and income generating project in Asuncion, Paraguay Materials for making candles and sewing machines for income generating project working with ex-prostitutes and vulnerable women in Delhi Beds and bedding for a counselling and caring centre for young mothers and their children and desks for the school in Ruiri, Kenya Bedroom furniture, beds and mattresses for three rooms in a new move-on home for homeless and vulnerable men in Salisbury Materials to build a washroom for a primary school project in Tibet Shelves, tables, chairs and benches for a prison library in Uganda Machines and furniture for an income generating training centre for disabled people in Ghana Three sewing machines and midwifery equipment for a project working with the poor in Mumbai, India A ride-on lawnmower for a childrenʼs camp for Roma Gypsy communites in Romania Eight support chairs for an elderly day care centre in Haringey, London Materials for a water cistern and a greenhouse for conservation project working with a small community in Mexico Furnishings for a womenʼs refuge house in London Building materials for a toilet block at a youth centre and primary school in Botswana A vehicle for an ʻurban gleaningʼ project in Cape Town, South Africa A cooker for a community centre working with youth and families in Chelsea A water tank and a stand for a village in Mozambique Bricks, cement and roofing materials for three classrooms in Uganda Tools for a garage training project in Nakuru, Kenya Furniture for a childrenʼs hostel and sewing machines for a dressmaking centre in Ghana Play items for a crèche in Hanworth, London Benches and desks for a primary school in Northern Uganda Two dairy cows and building materials for a feed store for an orphanage in Malawi Building materials to repair three classrooms to allow a school to re-open in India Medical and midwifery equipment for a community health programme in Mozambique Steel to allow the completion of building 20 homes for people and families with leprosy in India Sports equipment for a camp for street children in Brazil Sunshades for a playground for a home for children with disabilities in Bethlehem
The Besom helps people make a difference. It provides a bridge between those who want to give money, time, skills or things, and those who are in need. It ensures that what is given is used effectively. The service it provides is free. Issue No. 39
THE BESOM
Raising Hope
Planting a Future
“It’s difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato.” Lewis Grizzard, American columnist and comedian, 1946-1994. In Nuxino, a small village in Oaxaca, Mexico, 39 year-old Antonio Zarate tends to his crop of tomatoes. Nestled among the mountains, this remote indigenous community mainly eats what its villagers can grow. In recent months, Antonio’s carefully tended tomato plants have produced bumper crops. But things have not been easy on Nuxino’s farmers. In the last few years, desperate poverty has driven the villagers to cut down large areas of forested land so the area can be farmed and the wood sold as fuel. The land was left desolate and barren. Without the protection of the trees the exposed soil was soon eroded, losing much of its fertility. Far from providing a lasting solution to the villagers’ problems, the deforestation led to increasingly hostile farming conditions. Farmers and their families watched in anguish as their crops dwindled year after year. Faced with such a dismal harvest, the villagers were forced to clear even more land so they could sow more seed and stave off immediate crisis by selling wood for fuel. Much to their despair, the villagers were trapped in a The greenhouse provides Antonio and his family a source of income as well as food cycle of poverty they couldn’t escape. Over in London, The Besom helps those who want to give money to people, who, like the villagers of Nuxino, find themselves entrenched in poverty. The Besom ensures that every penny makes a long-term and sustainable difference to grassroots projects. One of these projects is Floresta Mexico, which who has been working in Oaxaca since 1997.
The plant-growing benefits the whole community
Throughout the whole of the Oaxaca region, small rural communities face a similar situation to that of Nuxino, with thousands of rural Mexicans feeling the harsh effects of deforestation on their everyday lives. It is in these remote areas that Floresta Mexico is working to restore, not just the land, but the hopes of farmers like Antonio. The non-profit Christian organisation tackles the root of the villagers’ poverty by restoring the natural environment and establishing livelihoods. Among the communities it has helped establish nurseries and plant trees, provide fuel efficient stoves and ecological latrines, create family gardens, set up forestry and mushroom farms, supported handicrafts training and established a micro-credit scheme. Greenhouses are crucial in helping to foster agriculture in areas of environmental degradation. It is a greenhouse, provided by Floresta, which enables Antonio, along with his wife, five children and parents, to grow abundant crops of tomatoes. “We are very happy,” says Antonio. “The greenhouse helps us get additional income to supply our household needs and our childen’s education. As with all the different Floresta projects we have participated in, we have learned new things, we value ourselves more, and we are more united as a community.”
In the past few months, money givers through The Besom, inspired by Antonio and the work of Floresta Mexico, purchased a greenhouse in El Palmar to provide similar hope and support to its villagers. The Besom researched the project in response to the request of James, a giver, who wanted to support those living in the poverty caused by environmental degradation. “This project is just the sort of thing that is on the hearts of myself and my wife at the moment,” says James. As the greenhouse begins to transform the lives of another rural family those on The Besom bridge recognise, once again, that this is not just the channelling of money, but of love, that has such an impact. And they see too that for the givers, helping to fund such items enables them to combat the link between the environment and poverty in a real and tangible way. As James says, “that’s so important to us”.
A Friend In Deed L i k e a l l o f t h e 3 2 B e s o m s a c r o s s t h e U K , Th e B e s o m i n Y o r k h el ps pe o ple f ro m t h e lo ca l ch u rc h es t r a ns f or m h o m e s , g a r d e ns an d li v es b y li n k i n g t h o se w h o w ou l d l ik e t o g iv e a n d t h os e w h o a r e i n n ee d in t h e lo ca l a r ea . A n gh ar a d R hy s s h ar e s h er st o r y o f on e s u ch d eco r a t in g p r oj ec t a n d t he fr i en ds h ip t ha t en s ue d…
I first visited Rita* and Martin* with co-ordinators Tom and Rob from the Besom in York. Martin was a recovering alcoholic and has been sober for two years, and his partner Rita was still drinking but trying to stop. Rita was not very alert the first time I saw her and she kept looking down, avoiding eye contact. Martin was keen from the beginning for us to help to decorate the house and welcomed us being a part of the process he is going through to improve his life. I went back to the house a few days later as part of a team and spent a weekend decorating their living room. Rita was still a little shy but she began to make an effort to communicate and provided us with good strong Yorkshire cuppas during our break times. Martin helped us paint from the word ‘go’, but Rita didn’t have the confidence to join in. However, we were really encouraged on the second day as she began cleaning furniture and sorting through their possessions. It was great to see her start to catch Martin’s determination to turn the flat from, in his words, ‘a drinking den into a proper home’. We wanted to continue helping them and so a month later our team went back to decorate the bedroom and bathroom. Rita had washed her hair to reveal a thick glossy mop and she couldn’t help herself from chatting away with us; she told us many stories from her past and we saw her sense of humour break through.
My friend and I went back one more time to do besomsome finishing touches, but mainly just to see them and to have a long sit down and chat. We could have gone back in to do more work, but Martin and Rita were so motivated by then that they had the confidence to continue decorating themselves. It was amazing to see them take pride in their flat. It has been such a pleasure to work with Martin and Rita as they overcome alcoholism and move forward with determination into a better future. *names have been changed to protect anonymity
“Our clients are always amazed that people give their time and goods in this way – for many of them it’s their first and only experience of this kind of generosity, so thank you”. Care Provider using the Besom in Taunton. “I never imagined the things I would be given would be such good quality”. Furniture recipient, London.
GIVE A LITTLE LOVE… Th e B e s o m h e l p s p e o p l e g i v e f u r n i t u r e , c l o t h e s , t o y s ,
It’s so lovely to be able to write back to our givers and let
n o n -p e r i s h a b l e f o o d s a n d h o u s e h o l d i t e m s t o t h o s e
them know that the items they have given have gone to such
w h o a r e i n re a l n e e d o f t h e m . J u d i t h f r o m t h e B e s o m i n
a good home and are so welcomed by those we work with.
Wi t n e y , s h a r e s h e r v i e w f ro m Th e B e s o m b r i d g e a s l o c a l
We simply love passing on beautiful things that are just what
giv e rs s upport a v ulnera ble f am ily.
people have asked for. This is just one example; there are so many more stories we could tell!
A few weeks ago I went to meet a family referred to us by Base 33 (a project that supports vulnerable and excluded young people). The family has very little money and most of their carpets and furniture had been ruined by a burst water pipe. They simply could not afford to furnish their home a second time and so for them the flood was devastating. When I met the mum I took some beautiful rugs and offered her a desk but at the time we had been given nothing else. Amazingly, within six weeks we were able to provide all the furniture she wanted. Thanks to those giving things, items came flooding in and we were able to pass on a double and a single bed, a fridge, a freezer, a desk, a cupboard and a beautiful sofa. This was all the more remarkable because we never told anyone what the family needed and people just gave what they felt was right to do so. Chris and Gilly from the Besom in Witney load household items that have been give to take to recipient.
Forging Forward... A s t h e B e so m ne t w o r k ex ci t ed ly w e lc om e s a n ot h e r l o ca l B e so m , G race fro m t h e B esom i n Cam b er le y s h ar e s w it h u s h o w a ho pe b eca m e a r ea l it y .
One vision, five years of preparation, a deep desire from individuals within the local churches to reach out to the broken within their community, one year of planning and then the launch. We are now standing on the
Sara from the Core Team learn show to do a project from the frontline by organising her own team.
threshold with one foot over; feeling very unprepared for all that lies ahead but knowing with certainty that we are doing the right thing!
The Besom in Camberley is made up
of a core team of four people from four different churches in Camberley. Our official launch, on Tuesday 5th May 2009, was preceded by much help from the Besom in Woking (thank you Julian, Julia & Megan). It was also greatly supported by Besom HQ who have unfailingly answered our queries (no matter how daft), encouraged us and just been there!
All our expectations on the launch day were met: full measure, pressed down and overflowing. People came to see us from nine of the eleven local churches. We shared our vision with them, and without asking, we were offered a double garage for temporarily storing the things given through us before we pass them on and money for our start-up costs. We were also really encouraged by individuals and groups who were just itching to get stuck in.
Four weeks on we meet weekly to share all that is happening. We have already arranged for one group of givers to paint a recipients home and met with a family to see how another group can help them. Life will not be dull from now on!
The Besom Copyright Statement (boring but important!)
With the spread of Besoms across the country, the Trustees of The Besom have found it necessary, sadly, to write a copyright statement. It is as follows: all Besom publications and materials including booklets, tapes and graphics are copyright to The Besom. In no circumstances may any part of any Besom publication be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from The Besom. Use of The Besom publications is permitted only when in conjunction with the running of a Besom in conjunction, broadly, with the Besom manual. The Besom asks that the name ‘The Besom’, or names similar to it, should not be used in connection with any other Christian ministry. This request is made in order to avoid confusion caused by different ministries having similar titles, ensure the uniformity and integrity of The Besom ministry and maintain confidence in Besoms listed on the Besom website. Besom, of course, accepts that minor adaptations to The Besom way of doing things may occasionally be desirable. In each case the essential character of the ministry must, however, be retained. If you are interested in setting up a Besom please call 0207 223 6522 and chat to our team.
News . News . News . News . News .
C h a n g e s i n L on d on
With the Besom network growing ever stronger, The Besom HQ in London will be changing at the end of this summer, in order to encourage other more local Besoms to emerge in the London area. From September 2009, Besom HQ will no longer be co-ordinating things or time giving in the Central, West and South London areas. We hope that by creating room we shall see Besoms spring up across London, made up of small groups of people from different churches who want to help members of the local church make a difference in their communities.
To that end, Besom HQ are welcoming enquiries from anyone who is interested in becoming more involved in running a Besom and are also hosting a number of information evenings for different London areas. Do contact Claire on 0207 223 6522 // Claire.taylor@besom.com if you are interested.
But fear not, The Besom team can still be found at the HQ office from September. We shall be carry on working to help those giving money through The Besom and will continue to provide support to The Besom network as it grows and provide answers to all your Besom enquiries.
We l c o m e t o T h e B e s om i n C a m b e r l e y a n d T h e B e s om i n R y e d a le
The Besom network is pleased to welcome two new Besoms who have launched in the last couple of months. As you may have read above, the Besom in Camberley is now helping people in the local area give time, things or skills, just like the newly fledged Besom in Rydale, who have been greatly supported through their journey to being a fully-fledged operation by the Besom in York. Visit w w w .b e s o m .c o m and click on Local Besoms to find out more.
C on fe re n c e s
As well as the annual Besom conferences in London, the Besom network is now hosting regional conferences for those running or interested in getting involved in a Besom. Down in Taunton, the South West Besom conference is taking place on Saturday 13th June (contact Nesta on 07901 660 238//nesta@thebesomintaunton for details). The Northern Besom conference will have its second outing on 20th June 2008, and is being hosted by the Besom in York. For more information contact Steve on 07875 950 170 // office@thebesominsheffield or Rob on 01904 658220 // info@thebesominyork.co.uk
Si m p li c i ty, L ove a n d Ju s ti c e
If you find yourself pondering the issues raised in this newsletter, or by the work that is done through The Besom, then why not get stuck into the Simplicity, Love and Justice course? Written by James Odgers, the founder of The Besom, Simplicity, Love and Justice is a discussion course, designed to help people explore the issues of faith, lifestyle, poverty, community, money, work and much more. A group studying the course in Perth Australia recently commented, "Our conversations are more authentic than anything I am used to, and the material is having us all deal with the issues in a profound and uncomfortable way.To order a copy or to find out more, visit the website (www.besom.com) and click on the Simplicity, Love and Justice icon, or contact us on 0207 223 6522.
N e w We b s i te
If you have logged onto w w w .b e s o m .c o m in the past few months you may have discovered our brand new website. Packed full of resources, information and links to all of the Besoms in the network, the new site is the perfect place to find out all about what the Besom is up to across the UK. So log on to find out more.