Poverty and Hope Appeal 2018 The Lord has sent me to proclaim good news to the oppressed. Isaiah 61:1 bit.ly/povertyhope
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has sent me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners. Isaiah 61:1 Time and again, the Bible reminds us that God longs to bring comfort to the most vulnerable people. By giving to our Poverty and Hope Appeal, you are playing a part in this saving work. We believe that the love and grace of God can transform lives in Kent, and around the world. Your generous gift will bring hope to those who need it most. You ll be speaking up with communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and bringing new opportunities to families living in poverty in Burkina Faso. You ll be improving the lives of people living with HIV in Zimbabwe, bringing hope to children in Sri Lanka, and supporting disadvantaged young people right here in Kent.
A better future for the next generation in Burkina Faso When Moussa and Elizabeth were given the gift of goats and sheep, it meant something life-changing for their children. It meant they could go to school. Extremes of drought and floods have made it hard to earn a living in Burkina Faso. But these animals mean more opportunities to earn a living, and fertilise crops. Going to school means that children in Burkina Faso have the chance to break out of poverty. Your support will help Christian Aid continue to bring hope and opportunities to those in need. Moussa and Elizabeth Toro now have hope for their children s future. A voice for change in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) New markets provide a safe place to trade. The DRC has been hit hard by decades of conflict and inequality. Christian Aid s partner the Episcopal Justice and Peace Committee is empowering local people to have a say in the decisions that affect them and their communities. Things are now starting to change. People have safe places to trade and clean running water. DRC remains one of the poorest countries in the world, but with your help this good work can continue. Challenging the stigma of HIV in Zimbabwe Zimbabwe is one of the countries hit hardest by HIV/AIDS globally. People living with HIV still face exclusion from mainstream society and their skills are often not valued. Some even find themselves unwelcome at church. Educating people, and challenging prejudice, is crucial to reduce stigma and improve lives. USPG partner, Anglican Relief and Development in Zimbabwe, coordinates this work and reaches most of the country across four dioceses, including our companion diocese of Harare. Your support helps to reduce stigma, and improve people s lives. Women living positively with HIV dance with joy and hope for the future.
Caring for exploited children in Sri Lanka Nevedita Jeevabalan works for ESCAPE, which helps children who have been traumatised by sexual abuse and exploitation in Sri Lanka. Nevedita says: My mission is to show God s love to children who have been through trauma and abuse. Being an ambassador of God s love for such children is the greatest difference I would like to make in their lives. Nevedita s team is focused on counselling survivors of abuse and their families, as well as raising awareness of how to prevent abuse. ESCAPE gives children in Sri Lanka the chance to heal from traumatic experiences. Food, farming and global citizenship in West Kent At Bore Place, young people learn how they can make a difference in the world. Bore Place is a centre for education and health, set in 500 acres of countryside in West Kent. Home to the Commonwork Trust, it offers a variety of activities in food, farming, justice, and global citizenship education, including to young people who are most vulnerable and have fewer opportunities. Your support will make sure more disadvantaged young people can continue to learn vital skills at this remarkable centre. Please give generously and show God s love to your neighbours near and far. Your gift will change lives. 10 could buy ingredients for a healthy cooking session for young people at Bore Place. 33 could buy a sheep for a farming family in Burkina Faso. 100 could pay for a tutor at Bore Place to run a session for young people with special needs, building their confidence and independence. Join us in prayer: For a successful harvest, in which everyone can share. For those who have been ignored and oppressed, that they would have their voices heard. For wisdom as we educate future generations to protect and care for God s earth.
At the heart of the gospel is Jesus call to love one another, and to look after those who are most vulnerable. One way that our diocese responds to this call is through our annual Poverty and Hope Appeal. We know that as Christians we cannot ignore poverty, injustice and exploitation, and we therefore seek to be instruments of change. Your generous support year-on-year, transforms the lives of people at home and abroad. With this year s appeal, we continue to stand up for some of the poorest and most marginalised people in the world. Your donations provide hope to people in Asia and Africa, including our partner diocese of Harare in Zimbabwe. Here in Kent, the appeal continues to support the inspirational work of Bore Place as they provide new opportunities for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. As a diocese, we are at the start of a new three-year programme to help the Church of England work to support victims of modern slavery and exploitation. Closely related to this, Poverty and Hope will support the work of CMS in Sri Lanka as they strive to eradicate exploitation and abuse. I offer my heartfelt thanks for your generosity in previous years. I hope that as churches, schools or individuals, you will join us this year in bringing hope to those who need it most. For resources that will help you in your prayer and fundraising, please visit the Diocese of Rochester website at bit.ly/povertyhope With my prayers and good wishes, The Rt Rev James Langstaff Bishop of Rochester Printed exclusively on material sourced from responsibly managed forests Christian Aid April 2018 J49482
Please support this appeal by giving generously, telling your church, school and community, and praying with us. Thank you. rochester.anglican.org uspg.org.uk churchmissionsociety.org christianaid.org.uk To book a speaker, order resources, set up a standing order, or enquire about Gift Aid or other financial matters, please contact Debbie Cooper using the details below. Please make cheques payable to Rochester DBF, with Poverty and Hope written on the back, and send to: Debbie Cooper Appeal Coordinator Poverty and Hope Appeal 6 Calverley Park Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2SH Phone: 01892 527 611 Email: povertyandhope@gmail.com boreplace.org This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of Christian Aid and the Diocese of Rochester and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union. UK registered charity numbers: Diocese of Rochester Poverty and Hope Appeal 249339 Christian Aid 1105851 and company number 5171525 CMS 1131655 and company number 6985330 Commonwork Trust 1160725 USPG 234518 Front cover: Moussa with his livestock in Burkina Faso (Photo: Mike Goldwater/Christian Aid) The money raised will fund the work of the partners or projects featured. If any project becomes unavailable for any reason, the money will be used to fund work of a similar nature.