Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. The charity works with people of all faiths and none, never gives money to governments and is the official development agency of 41 church denominations in Britain and Ireland.
Christian Aid Week 2024: 12th to 18th May
Seven days, so many ways to fund lasting change. This Christian Aid Week, what will you do?
- Undertake a sponsored activity. This year, Christian Aid’s challenge is Seven Days, So Many Ways. Perhaps you could ask people to sponsor you to walk or cycle 70 kilometres during Christian Aid Week, either individually or in a group?
You can put all proceeds from your sponsored activity into our dedicated digital Christian Aid envelope. - Bake a cake for our cake stall in aid of Christian Aid at the Community Fair on Saturday 11th May. (We also welcome home-made jams, chutneys, etc.)
- Deliver Christian Aid envelopes in our patch of the parish, the village side of Falcondale Road. No knocking on doors required!
- Donate. To donate to Christian Aid, you can use our dedicated digital Christian Aid envelope, but cash or cheques are welcome too. You can drop off your donations to the Parish Office, or to the wonderful Sarah C, our local greengrocer in Carlton Court in the village.
This year’s focus country
For 2024, the focus country for Christian Aid Week is Burundi, where malnourishment and poverty affect more than 70% of the population, putting them at the edge of survival.
Coming back from the edge isn’t easy when food can be scarce, disease prevalent and jobs hard to come by. For those who have a home, chances are there’s no electricity or running water, and it may not even survive the next storm.
Aline’s story
Aline, pushed to the brink, was abused, homeless and hungry. But Aline pushed back. She found a lifeline through small business training that was funded by Christian Aid.
With a small start-up loan, Aline set up as a grocery wholesaler. She started trading avocados and peanuts locally. With her profits, she bought a bicycle so that she could transport more of her goods to markets further afield. Eventually, her hard work paid off, and she had earned the money that she needed to rent a house.
Once Aline had secured a home for herself, her three eldest sons were able to join her.
Today, she lives peacefully on her own plot of land. She’s baked her own bricks and is building a strong home for her and her children in every sense. Now, Aline can afford food, clothes and essential healthcare for her family. She’s also purchased solar panels so that her children can do their homework by electric light.
‘I like to feed my family with the produce that I grow, such as beans, vegetables and corn. I am so happy that we are together. Now my children feel supported as they have a parent who can meet their needs’.
This Christian Aid Week, you can help dreams come true
You can help ensure that more people in Burundi get the skills and knowledge they need to fulfil their hopes and ambitions. Anything we raise will make a difference to people in Burundi:
- £5 could buy the savings book that will help someone set up the small business that enables them to escape the inhumanity of poverty.
- £27 could buy the lockable safe that protects a community’s savings, hopes and dreams.
- £100 could provide 10 people with training to help their families set up small businesses, such as selling home-grown vegetables.
For more information, please contact Ken Pattison via the Parish Office by calling 0117 950 8644 or emailing office@westbury-parish-church.org.uk.
