THIRST FOR CHANGE – A REPORT BY BERNARD WHITE, CAMPAIGNS COORDINATOR

Last week we told you about Becky Ginnever, who is Walking for Water to raise awareness and funds for CAFOD’s Thirst for Change campaign. Becky has now begun her walk – you can keep up to date with her progress via her CAFOD blog.

Below, Bernard White gives you more information on the Thirst for Change campaign.

“I was thirsty and you gave me a drink…” (Matt Ch 25)

Sitting on the Mount of Olives, Jesus taught his disciples, and we are all very familiar with his account of the Last Judgement. Here, Jesus set out the criteria for a good life and those for a bad life, by which we will be judged at the end of time.

The quotation, above, is one of those fundamental good actions which Jesus identifies as being a criterion for a good life. In our campaign, Thirst for Change, CAFOD offers us an opportunity, and a challenge, to “give someone a drink”.

Thirst for Change – a summary

This is Esther who lives in Zambia. Three nights a week, she has to lose five hours of sleep getting water. Like millions of women and children around the world, she carries 100 litres of water back home. Esther also has a home to run and manages a vegetable business with her husband.

This is unimaginable hardship and Jesus’ words ring in our ears…

The question is, are these just words we hear at Mass, or will we do something to help Esther and the millions in the world who lack access to water?

884 million people lack access to clean water; 2.6 billion live without sanitation. Our sisters and brothers around the world thirst for change.

Thirst for Change – background

We take water for granted. Being able to turn on a tap and get a glass of clean, fresh water is a fact for us – like having clothes on our backs or a bed to sleep in. Using a toilet is as commonplace as having a pen to write with.

Yet one in eight of the world’s population live without these luxuries – they still can’t access clean water. And over a third don’t have safe sanitation – toilets and sewage systems that hygienically flush away our waste.

The effects ripple out: hospitals in the poorest countries are overwhelmed from treating illnesses like cholera and dysentery, and children are forced to miss many school days each year. The burden of collecting and carrying water falls primarily on women, who can spend up to eight hours every day carrying 40kg of water on their heads or backs – that’s the equivalent of 40 bags of sugar.

Our faith calls us to act

As Christians, we can’t stand by and watch while others suffer. In May 2012, the world’s most powerful nations – the G8 – will meet. We want our Prime Minister, David Cameron, to ensure they take real steps to turn the tide on water poverty – providing the finance, expertise and political pressure to end the world water crisis.

Together our actions – like many drops of water – can form a river of change that runs right to the heart of Downing Street.

The Thirst for Change campaign action will take only a few minutes of anyone’s time. It involves signing a card to the Prime Minister, asking him to act at the G8 meeting in May. This is so simple. Experience has shown us that the greater number of cards sent the more likely it is that the Prime Minister will act.

I shall be contacting all the parishes and others in the Archdiocese of Southwark, to ask that our clergy get behind the Thirst for Change campaign. Their support is essential because the only way to reach most Catholics is when they are gathered together at Mass each weekend. Therefore, in addition to family and friends, please speak to your priests. Explain to them what the Thirst for Change campaign is about and why you think that it is important to engage as many parishioners as possible to sign and submit a campaign card.

Your help and support is absolutely vital. Please let me know how you get on by sending me an email at bwhite@cafod.org.uk or by writing to me at CAFOD Southwark.

CATHOLICS GET SET FOR SUMMER 2012

A special training day for Catholics will take place on Saturday 12 May at St Charles Catholic VIth Form College, 74 St Charles Square, Kensington W10 6EY from 10am to 4pm (Ladbroke Grove tube) to show how Catholic churches, groups and/or schools can relevantly engage with the Diamond Jubilee, Olympic Torch Relay and 2012 Games in a few weeks time. The day includes info and training on: how to run a local festival, hosting athletes’ family members, addressing Games-related social issues, preparing for the Olympic Torch, how to engage young people through sport, praying through the Games, CAFOD’s 2012 preparations, and more. To find out more or to book online, please visit www.morethangold.org.uk, www.catholic2012.com or call 0845 475 2012.

BECKY’S WALKING FOR WATER – THROUGH YOUR DIOCESE!

A member of the CAFOD team, Becky Ginnever from Internal Comms, is planning to walk 180 miles along the Thames Path in order to both raise awareness for the Thirst for Change campaign and to raise money for CAFOD!

The walk starts on 8th May (next Tuesday) and will last at least 8 days – she’ll be blogging on the CAFOD site as she goes and will be joining the hand-in to Downing Street on 15th May.

How can you get involved?

Tell your friends! Local publicity will help with fundraising and the campaign (Becky will be walking through David Cameron’s constituency)

Accompany Becky on her walk! Anyone is welcome to join Becky for part of the walk – it could be a good opportunity for your groups and parishes to organise card signings.

If you would like to see where Becky will be walking, then follow this link for a map of her route.

Don’t forget to keep updated and see how you can get involved with the Thirst for Change campaigning…

PENTECOST DAY OF REFLECTION

Take time out this Pentecost to reflect on your calling to hunger and thirst for justice. CAFOD are holding a Pentecost reflection day for all supporters and volunteers on Saturday the 26^th of May from 11am — 5 pm at Woldingham School, Surrey (near Caterham). Susy Brouard from CAFOD’s theology programme will facilitate us in reflecting on how the Spirit of the Lord is upon us. There is no cost for the day and all are welcome but spaces are limited so please contact the CAFOD Southwark office on  01322 294 924 or email us on southwark@cafod.org.uk

WIMBLEDON PUPILS’ LENTEN CHARITY CHALLENGE

Pupils at a Wimbledon school have been going that extra mile to raise money for people across the world without access to clean water.

Students from Wimbledon College have raised almost £3,000 for Catholic aid agency, CAFOD’s, ‘Give it Up!’ by organising sponsored events.

Chaplain, James Potter said: “We have been encouraging students to take on their own personal challenges and put their faith into positive social action. Some have organised sponsored silences, stand ups and fasts. We have also held cake sales and one student managed to raise £329 on his own by holding a sponsored swim.” 

Wimbledon College’s Give it Up! fundraising will have double the impact this year after CAFOD was awarded UK Aid Match funding for their Lent appeal. This means the UK Government will match pound for pound every donation given to CAFOD’s Lent appeal.

Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development, said: “CAFOD is working to improve water access, sanitation and hygiene for some of the world’s most vulnerable and neglected people, including those affected by war, climate change and disease. It is potentially life saving work, tackling cholera, helping girls attend school rather than having to fetch water and ensuring that children know about hygiene and waterborne diseases.

“By matching pound for pound all public donations, the UK Government will help CAFOD double its impact, ensuring tens of thousands more families have access to clean water and sanitation and are provided with everything from water purification kits and soap to training in how to fix a broken borehole.”

Wimbledon College is one of many schools across England and Wales taking part in ‘Give it Up’. The initiative invites children to give up a treat, such as crisps or chocolate, and donate the money to CAFOD instead. Or they could get sponsored for giving up computer games or TV. Many schools are holding walks for water, water quizzes and various water themed challenges to raise money this Lent.

CAFOD’s Southwark manager, Jim Simmons said: “Lent is a time when we stop and reflect on our lives. It’s amazing that children are putting so much time and energy into thinking about others and helping to change lives. By giving it up for CAFOD these children are making a difference.  The money that flows from these events will help transform the lives of people living in poverty, and with the Government matching every donation, the difference we can make together is so much greater. ”

Wimbledon College is also participating in CAFOD’s Thirst for change campaign. Recognising the strong track record the UK has in supporting international development, we are now asking David Cameron to call on world leaders at the G8 summit in May to turn the tide on water poverty.

CAFOD PILGRIMAGE TO SANTIAGO – IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO REGISTER!

In 2012, CAFOD is encouraging supporters to take on the challenge of walking the final 100 miles of the ancient pilgrim route of the Camino de Santiago de Compostela, together with other CAFOD supporters.

The ‘route of the stars’, named so because it lies beneath the Milky Way, takes pilgrims along the beautiful and peaceful countryside across the north of Spain, ending at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The route has existed for over a thousand years and offers a physical, mental and spiritual challenge to those who take it on.

Some of the pilgrims who participated [Photo: CAFOD

We hope you will enjoy some time for reflection and tranquillity and use the opportunity to raise some funds for CAFOD’s work. We will be supporting groups of walkers who want to do this on two dates starting from 2nd June or 15th September (if you are interested in the June date, you need to register by 4th May).

To help you, we will be holding a training weekend on 5th and 6th May, giving our walkers a chance to meet each other, talk to past pilgrims and plan together. We will be here to support you all the way.

Please see the CAFOD website for more information.

SPONSORED TRIATHLON RAISES £270 FOR BOREHOLES

Felix, Max and their friends were so inspired by the fact that £33 could provide a borehole and clean water to a village that they took the message to their schools and enrolled eight of their friends to take part in the sponsored bike ride, run and swim.

Their triathlon was so successful that they actually raised £270 and because of the Government’s UK Match Aid scheme this will result in a total donation to CAFOD of £540.

Thanks to Felix, Max and all of their friends for raising such a great amount and managing to have fun in the process.