Thought for the Week - 15th May 2022

 

Dear Friends,

Today (15th May) is the beginning of Christian Aid Week, the first of which took place in 1957. Working with 700 local organisations in around 50 countries Christian Aid seeks to help poor communities, and enable them to deal with hardships from climate change and the possible threat of natural disasters. This year Christian Aid Week will focus on the plight of drought which numerous countries around the world face, and which has become more common because of the effects of climate change. The impact on the world population is great meaning that millions of people around the world struggle to get the food and water they need. Christian Aid is telling the story of Jessica Mwedzi who lives in rural Zimbabwe and that because of drought every day is struggle for survival. From the Christian Aid website we read, ‘Like many women in rural Zimbabwe – 7 out of 10 rely on farming for income and food – Jessica toils on her farm but nothing can grow on her ashen, dry land. Drought starves. Intensified by the climate crisis, and the effects of war in Ukraine on global food production, it drives families into hunger. Jessica recalls that “One year, we had no rain. The scorching sun burnt my crops just as they were about to bloom. It was so painful and disheartening.” It’s unjust that drought – exacerbated by the effects of conflict and the global pandemic – robs Jessica of the power to provide for her family. Her husband is unwell, so she’s the only breadwinner. Her children look up to her, but she has nothing left to give. One bowl of porridge is all she and her family can eat today, and she knows they’re hungry for more. She says, “My children crave a decent meal, but I can’t provide. We often go to bed on an empty stomach. It pains me to send them to bed hungry. Women are at the mercy of climate change and hunger”. But there is hope. Jessica could grow drought-resistant crops, set up water taps on her farm, and learn how to grow food in the harsh climate. Her dry, dusty land could transform into a garden of hope, abundant with fresh food like tomatoes, beans and cucumbers. Gifts given this Christian Aid Week will go to help turn hunger into hope for Jessica and families like her so that people won’t go to bed hungry tonight. 

You can donate to Christian Aid Week’s appeal by giving at our Big Brekkie event on 21st May or by going to https://donate.christianaid.org.uk/Donate/Step/1?ApproachCode=CAM-002736 

Thank you! 

Grace and peace

Neil

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