25.08.2016
Share Your Harvest With Our Global Neighbours in Need – Christian Aid Asks Churches in Ireland
When harvest time comes, churches across Ireland take time to give thanks to God for Harvest time, and praise Him for providing all we need to feed our families. We also share our plenty with our neighbours in our local community who have little.
This harvest, Christian Aid is asking churches in Ireland to support our global neighbours whose harvest is increasingly affected by the consequences of climate change.
As we celebrate God’s bountiful creation, we stand with local farmers like Rodah, who lives in Kalawani village, in Eastern Kenya. Christian Aid is helping rural communities like Rodah’s to grow plentiful food that will last through the leaner seasons.
For the people of Rodah’s rural village, harvest has become an increasing struggle as the arid conditions make it difficult for crops to thrive. The rains are erratic and unpredictable, and as the impacts of climate change intensify, the situation is getting worse.
Every day, Rodah walked up to 10 kilometres to get water, just to try and keep her crops alive. Her two jerry cans weighed 18 kilograms – the same as two car tyres.
Despite her backbreaking efforts, Rodah’s harvest was never enough. She could not afford to feed her family and send them to school. Consequently, she couldn’t afford to send her children to school.
Since local Christian Aid partner, Anglican Development Service East (ADSE), started supporting poor families in her village, everything has changed.
ADSE built a sand dam, which keeps precious water from the river close to the community, so they are able to nurture their land, grow their crops and earn an income. With her earnings, Rodah has been able to buy water pipes and a pump, and now her farm is flourishing.
And she is now able to send her children to school.
The sand dam has transformed the entire community, who have been introduced to drought–resistant seeds that will grow even if the rains don’t come. They have learned about special farming techniques, such as drip irrigation, which makes water go a long way.
And through their own photography, they have been able to capture the amazing differences the project has made to their lives. They are telling their own stories – photography has given them a voice. They’re even using the photos to lobby the government, to make sure the changes they’re seeing last.
With your support, through giving, acting and praying this harvest time, you could change the lives of thousands of people like Rodah and sow the seeds of transformation.
· €38 could provide drought–resistant seeds, such as cowpeas and mung beans, for fourteen farmers
· €190 could provide a day’s essential agricultural training for five people; and
· €580 could pay for a skilled labourer to construct a sand dam, providing water for the whole community.
For harvest resources or more information on how your church can get involved this harvest time, visit www.christianaid.ie/harvest or contact Christian Aid:
Dublin office: 01 496 7040 or email Dublin@christian-aid.org
Photo caption: Rodah stands in her maize garden which is ripe for harvest.