christian aid ireland magazine - winter 2015

Christian Aid Ireland 1

Precious GiftsHelp fight malaria this Christmas

Christian Aid IrelandWinter 2015 ■ Number 48

In the spotlight: Jordan Greer, our Collective InternJordan Greer, is three months into a ten-month youth internship with Christian Aid in Belfast. He is great to work with – enthusiastic, hardworking and always glad to help out.

Over the last couple of months Jordan has spoken to young people and youth organisations in Northern Ireland. He is also helping raise awareness about the work of Christian Aid collective – a movement of young people who want to create a world without poverty and injustice. (christianaidcollective.org)

“I find that working with Christian Aid through campaigning, events and in outreach to young people very inspiring,” Jordan says. “I believe that young people today are motivated to change their world. They are interested in understanding global poverty, climate change, tax justice and conflict, and want to help make change happen.”

“I hope I can help inspire many young people to play a part in campaigning for change and helping those in need.”

Jordan recently graduated with a degree in Sociology at Queen's University, Belfast. He is an officer in the Boys Brigade, a volunteer leader at Greater Ballyclare Youth for Christ and member of Glengormley Methodist Youth Choir. His previous youth work includes helping local churches in Romania run summer camps for teenagers living in children’s homes.

He will be joining other Collective interns from across the UK on an exposure visit to one of the countries Christian Aid works.

2 Christian Aid Ireland

Christian Aid Ireland is the official relief and development agency of the Church of Ireland, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Non-subscribing Presbyterian Church of Ireland, the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Moravian Church, the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), the Salvation Army, and the Irish Council of Churches.

It is a member of ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together), the worldwide ecumenical network for emergency relief.

Christian Aid is a signatory to the Dóchas Code of Conduct on Images & Messages. More details can be found on www.dochas.ie. Please send any feedback about images in this publication to [email protected]

Rosamond Bennett Chief Executive, Christian Aid Ireland

BelfastLinden House, Beechill Business Park, 96 Beechill Road, Belfast BT8 7QN Tel: (028) 9064 8133 Email: [email protected]

Contacts: Deborah Doherty, Head of Church & Community

Adrian Horsman, Head of Communications & Media

DublinCanal House Canal Road, Dublin 6 Tel: (01) 496 7040 Email: [email protected]

Contact: Peter Byrne, Church and Community Manager (Dublin)

CorkHill View Bandon, Cork Tel: (023) 88 41468 Email: [email protected]

Contact: Andrew Coleman, Fundraising Co-ordinator

NI Company no. NI059154 NI Charity no. XR94639 / NIC101631 ROI Company no. 426928 ROI Charity no. CYH6998 / 20014162

www.christianaid.ie

Designed and printed by

@christianaidirlchristianaidireland

The work of Christian Aid Ireland is based on our Christian belief that everyone, regardless of faith or race, is entitled to live a full life, free from poverty.

We believe in tackling the root causes of poverty, not just the symptoms. We believe the world can and must be changed so that there is equality, dignity and freedom for all.

We are driven to make this change happen and to inspire others to help make it happen.

If you would like Jordan to speak to your youth group or class, please call our Belfast office or email Jordan at [email protected].

■ Cover Image: Onuchukwu Okoye, 28, after giving birth to her son Israel, at the health centre in Ora-Eri village, Nigeria. With her is staff nurse and midwife Dorothy Ukowfu. Dorothy was given training by ADCHUS and is helping women like Onuchukwu protect themselves from getting malaria during the pregnancy.

Photo: Christian Aid / Sarah Malian

Photo: Jordan with Coleraine Grammar Senior Scripture Union after speaking about the work of Christian Aid and the Refugee Crisis.

8News■ 4 Small Change,

Big Difference

New schools’ resources

150 join Shankill Refugee Walk

Emergencies■ 6 Refugee crisis:

responding in EU, Iraq, Lebanon and Syria

■ 7 Nepal earthquake update: your support is rebuilding lives

Precious gifts■ 8 Christmas gifts that

save lives of mothers and babies

Campaigns■ 10 To Paris and beyond:

climate campaign update

■ 12 SDGs: An agenda to transform our world

Overseas■ 13 Nepal earthquake:

a personal story

Events■ 15 Join the People’s

Climate events

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10

7

13

Welcome to our winter edition. It has been a busy few months with lots happening in both Christian Aid and in the sector in general.

In September global leaders agreed on 17 new Sustainable Development Goals, aimed at ending poverty by 2030. We worked together with our local partners to campaign and lobby for key issues to be included such as gender justice, inequality, peace building and climate change.

Climate change continues to have a devastating effect on poor communities around the world. The UN Climate Change Talks in Paris this December present a crucial opportunity for global leaders to move the world towards a fairer, low-carbon future.

We will monitor and hold our governments accountable for the commitments they made on the SDGs and at the Climate Change talks in Paris.

This issue also carries an update on the refugee crisis which is worsening as the conflicts in Syria and Iraq continue. Millions of people are still living as refugees over four years since the Syrian conflict broke out. Thousands are now making perilous journeys to find safety in Europe. Many, including children, have lost their lives along the way.

I travelled to Iraq several months ago to meet with female Syrian refugees. I saw the impact that our work has – delivering hygiene kits and providing counselling and support. Thanks to your generosity our partners are able to provide vital supplies like food, water, sleeping bags, blankets and hygiene kits to some of the worst affected – in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, and in Europe. Meanwhile Christian Aid is pushing for decisive leadership from the EU to help refugees and bring a lasting solution to end the conflicts in Iraq and Syria.

Once again I approach the end of the year very thankful and grateful for all that I have. I pray for all those who do not have a roof over their heads and who do not live in peace and security.

I am also very thankful for the support we receive from you. We have had a wonderful 70th year, filled with events organized by staff and supporters. Your support, commitment and generosity never falters. Thank you for all that you have done this year and for many years.

I hope that you and your loved ones have a happy Christmas and peaceful New Year.

God bless.

Rosamond Bennett

CEO Christian Aid Ireland

Contents

Editorial

3Christian Aid Ireland

News

Over 150 people from three local parishes in Shankill took part in the Shankill Refugee Solidarity Walk on Saturday 10th October to pray for and raise money to help refugees who are forced to flee their homes due to conflicts in Syria, Iraq and other countries.

Our sincere thanks to Revd Fred Appleby (Rathmichael Church), Father John O’Connor (St Anne’s Church) and Revd Trevor Stevenson, Crinken Church, and to everyone who help organize the walk. Over €1,500 has been raised to date. Thank you. Your generosity is helping us provide much needed aid and support to refugees arriving in Europe as well as those within Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

Small Change, Big Difference

Shankill Refugee Solidarity Walk

The Republic of Ireland is phasing out 1c and 2c coins. Now is a good time to think about getting rid of them, or better still, sending them to us. We will make sure your small change makes a big difference globally.

No need to count them. Just drop all your 1c and 2c coins at our Dublin, Cork, or even Belfast offices.

Photo: John Coveney Photography

We have new secondary school teaching resources to help teachers inspire their class to explore, understand and engage on global issues.

Poverty Explored

Our ‘Poverty Explored’ resource pack now includes a new lesson on gender equality. The four-week transition year resource has lessons, videos, role plays, debate topics and case studies covering poverty, emergencies, human rights, tax, climate change, and gender inequality.

New Schools' Resources

Climate Change and Kenya looks at climate change through a case study from Kalawani, Eastern Kenya. It was written following a visit to Kenya by secondary school teachers from Ireland last summer. Its four lessons cover areas like what climate change is, the evidence for climate change, how it affects people in Kenya, and how we adapt to climate change.

Discrimination and HIV – A great resource for World AIDS DayDiscrimination and HIV is a collection of activities and teaching ideas that examine discrimination, prejudice and stigma through the real-life experiences of people living with HIV in Kenya. It can be used as a lesson plan or individual activities that make up part of a lesson.

All resources are available to downloaded at christianaid.ie/schools

Climate Change and Kenya – for your geography class

Anna Hughes retired last October after working with Christian Aid for eleven years. As part of our finance team, she was a great support to staff in Belfast and Dublin with her financial and

technical expertise, Anna also coordinated the many volunteers who help in the Belfast office. She will be greatly missed as a highly valued member of the team and a great friend.

Anna will continue to support Christian Aid as Christian Aid Week co-ordinator for Moira. We wish her a very happy retirement as she gets to spend more time with her family, friends and with the newest addition to the Hughes clan, Daisy the Dog!

Prayer for PeaceChurch leaders and representatives from Church of Ireland, the Irish Council Churches, the Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic Church pray with Christian Aid at the launch of the 24-hour Prayers for Peace event in the Redeemer Central Church, Belfast.

The Prayers for Peace event ran from midnight, September 20th to September 21st – the UN International Day for Peace. Over the 24 hours, people spent time in the ‘Prayer’ space praying for those affected by conflict around the world, including Syria and Iraq. Some also went through the ‘Act’ space and wrote to their local MPs calling on the UK government to welcome their fair share of refugees, and the ‘Give’ space to donate to the Refugee Crisis Appeal.

Farewell to Anna

Hillsborough Soup LunchesLadies enjoying a read of the Christian Aid Ireland Summer magazine at the Hillsborough lunch in support of Christian Aid.

Autumn sees the resumption of the Soup and Cheese Lunches which raise much needed funds for the work of Christian Aid. Please do take the time to drop in to any of the lunches below. You are guaranteed a warm welcome, a very good value lunch and home-made soups.

Every Tuesday12 - 2pm at 1st Lisburn Presbyterian Church, Co. Antrim.

Every Thursday12 - 2pm at The Parish Hall, Hillsborough, Co Down.

1st Wednesday of each month12 - 2pm at Armagh Road Presbyterian Church, Portadown.

1st Friday of each month12 - 2pm at St Patrick’s Parish Church, Drumbeg.

1st Wednesday of each month a service at 12.30pm followed by lunch at the Centre for Celtic Spirituality, Armagh Cathedral.

The churches in Cookstown and Castlewellan host weekly lunches on Friday and Thursday respectively during the six weeks of Lent.

Our amazing supporters taking a charity collection for Christian Aid at Newbridge Shopping Centre, Co. Kildare.

L-R: Valerie Beattie, Tom Wheatley, Mervyn Magee and Pauline Mullins. The collection is one of the collections organized by long term Christian Aid volunteer Trudi Jeffers.

If you would like to support any of our regular lunches you are most welcome!


Emergencies

The world is witnessing an unprecedented level of global displacement as millions of people are forced to flee their homes due to violence, conflict and disaster. The media continues to tell the distressing stories of the thousands of refugees who are making the terrifying journey across the Mediterranean seeking sanctuary and protection in Europe. Many, including children, have lost their lives as they attempt to reach Europe.

Now in its fifth year, the Syrian conflict has displaced half the country’s population. Over 12 million people inside Syria are reliant on aid.

Countries in the region are hosting an overwhelming number of refugees. More than one million Syrians are living as refugees in Lebanon. Iraq is coping with more than 3 million Iraqis who have been displaced by conflict in the country, and are also host to around 250,000 Syrian refugees.

Last April, Rosamond Bennett, Christian Aid Ireland CEO, visited Christian Aid partners in Iraq.

“I met women refugees from Syria and heard many distressing stories, stories of how families fled the conflict with just the clothes on their backs. Each family, desperately hoping that they would find safety and a community that would welcome and help them.“

“These families had hopes of returning home when the conflict ended. More than four years later, the conflict continues and they are still living in refugee camps and host communities.”

“It is challenging. Every few months, there is a new influx. We do as much as we can,” says Hero Anwar, senior programme officer with Christian Aid Iraqi partner REACH.

Christian Aid partners have been supporting displaced families and refugees in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon since March 2013.

They have provided humanitarian assistance including food, hygiene kits, water sanitation, blankets and cash-for-work for thousands of vulnerable families. Our partners are also providing psychosocial support to children and women affected by the conflicts.

In Lebanon and Iraq, our partners continue to support Syrian refugee communities. Working in host communities and informal settlements, and with refugees who aren’t often receiving other aid, they have provided food, hygiene items, infant kits, fuel for cooking and cash assistance, as well as much need psychosocial support to help people process what they have seen and experienced.

In Europe, we are supporting our ACT Alliance partner agencies to provide much needed relief and support to refugees arriving at some of Europe’s borders, exhausted, hungry and with little in the way of possessions.

In Serbia, our partner Philanthropy (Charitable Foundation of the Serbian Orthodox Church) is working in Presevo on the Macedonian-Serbian border, registering up to 1,700 refugees a day.

Refugee Crisis Appeal

Refugees and migrants on their way to western Europe approach the border into Croatia near the Serbian village of Berkasovo. The ACT Alliance has provided critical support for refugee and migrant families here and in other places along their journey. Through the ACT Appeal, Christian Aid supports the work of two ACT agencies: IOCC in Greece and Philanthropy in Serbia.

Credit: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance

Republic of Ireland: (01) 496 7040

Northern Ireland (028) 9064 8133PLEASE DONATE to our emergency appeals:

Visit christianaid.ie/refugees or donate by telephone


In Belgrade, Philanthropy is supporting local partners in distributions, while also working on the Croatian border in Sid, and in Negotin and Zajecar on the Bulgarian border.

In Greece, our partner IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) is working on the Greek Islands with refugees arriving from Turkey. They are providing sleeping bags, food, water and baby kits, and are working to improve conditions in reception centres.

The refugee crisis demands decisive leadership from EU governments. Christian Aid is urging the EU to ensure safe passage to refugees; welcome and adequate support; and political action to bring a lasting

solution to the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

Last September we renewed our refugee crisis appeal. To date we have raised €29,000 from the Republic of Ireland and £58,000 in Northern Ireland. Thank you, your generosity is making a huge difference.

Please help us continue to respond to the immediate and long-term needs of refugees in Europe, and in the Middle East. To donate visit christianaid.ie/refugees.

Refugees and migrants, often including entire families, receive food and blankets from Hungarian Interchurch Aid, a member of the ACT Alliance, as they leave the Hungarian town of Hegyeshalom late at night and prepare to cross the border into Austria. Christian Aid supports the work of two ACT agencies: IOCC in Greece and Philanthropy in Serbia.

Credit: Paul Jeffrey/ACT Alliance

A woman receives food as part of a distribution in Sulaymaniyah, in the Kurdish region of Iraq. Christian Aid partner Rehabilitation, Education and Community Health (REACH) is providing desperately needed food, blankets, shelter, and hygiene kits to thousands of vulnerable families living outside of camps in areas of Sulaymaniyah, Erbil and Duhok.

Credit: Christian Aid / Rawsht Twana / Metrography

In the first six weeks, 19,600 households received food, hygiene kits, emergency medical aid, water purification tablets and shelter.

The generous response of Christian Aid supporters has helped our local partners reach over 400,000 survivors across five of the worst-affected districts: Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa, Gorkha, Dhading ans Latitpur.

As winter approaches we are focusing on winterisation support, including blankets and shelter insulation.

Our partners have distributed 22,000 high quality tarpaulins and provided 5,355 people with tool kits for shelter repair and reconstruction. We are working to provide households with shelter support including corrugated galvanized iron sheets, tool kits and fixtures. We are also training carpenters and masons in earthquake resilient building techniques.

More than 200 fresh water points have been tested for water quality and repaired where necessary. Fresh

drinking water has been provided in more than 50 locations for more than 140,000 people a day.

Over 85,000 people have been given hygiene kits, and five million water purification tablets have been distributed, helping people have clean water every day and avoid diseases.

For the latest on the Christian Aid Nepal appeal visit christianaid.ie/nepal

Your support is helping Nepal earthquake victimsThe two earthquakes that struck Nepal in April and May this year claimed the lives of over 8,800 people and destroyed millions of homes, leaving thousands in displacement sites across 13 districts.

The generous response of Christian Aid supporters made it possible for our local partners act quickly and help the worst affected in the aftermath of both earthquakes.

Hundreds of thousands of people continue to sleep outdoors, too scared to return to their shattered homes for fear of aftershocks. 7,675 people have now been reported killed and more than 16,000 injured.Photos: Christian Aid/Sam Spickett

Give a precious gift this Christmas

At this time of the year, shopping aisles are buzzing with people looking for that special gift that will put a smile on a loved ones face. This Christmas, thousands of children in Nigeria are longing for a precious gift, that of life.

Malaria is a leading cause of death in Nigeria. Young children and pregnant women are especially vulnerable. Approximately 250,000 children under the age of five die of malaria every year.

Pregnancy reduces a woman’s immunity to malaria which is particularly dangerous as it can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature delivery, stillbirth, severe anaemia and babies being born under-weight.

What is shocking about this situation is that it is preventable but many people don’t know how to, or cannot afford to protect themselves.

Christian Aid partners are fighting malaria in Nigeria by helping local communities learn how to protect themselves from the disease. They are training community health volunteers and government nurses and also providing long-lasting, insecticide-treated mosquito nets to vulnerable families.

Christmas appeal to help fight malaria in Nigeria

Mary’s StoryMalaria claimed the lives of two of Mary Patrick Odey’s children, her four-year-old son Kenechukwu and her six-year-old daughter Anah.

With support from Christian Aid, her community received mosquito nets and were shown how to use them effectively. Mothers were taught how to spot the symptoms of malaria so Mary was able to protect her daughters Kosi and Christiania, as well as her grandchildren.

Mary Patrick, 47, and her daughter Christiana, aged 24. Christiana fell pregnant when she went to work in Lagos, and came back home to Ora-Eri. She has twin babies Emanuel and Emanuela.

£12/s17 could buy four long-lasting, insecticide-treated nets to cover children and keep them safe from mosquito bites as they sleep at night.

Will you give a precious life-saving gift this Christmas? Your gift will help to protect mothers and children in Nigeria from malaria. To give a precious gift, visit christianaid.ie/christmas or

call 01 496 7040 (Dublin) or 028 9064 8133 (Belfast)

28-year-old Onuchukwu received expert care from community nurse and midwfe, Dorothy. This care helped Onuchukwu protect herself and her baby from malaria during her pregnancy.

Nurse Dorothy received training in malaria prevention and management so that she can deal effectively with malaria cases and share her knowledge with her patients.

When Onuchukwu was pregnant she attended antenatal sessions with Dorothy. Dorothy also helped deliver Onuchukwu’s healthy baby boy, Israel. Without this help, this story could have had a very different ending.

Onuchukwu, 28, with her new born son Israel, in the health centre in Ora-Eri village, Nigeria. Onuchukwo is with staff nurse and midwife Dorothy Ukowfu, who was given training by ADCHUS. Dorothy had prescribed her with medications and health information so she didn't get malaria during her pregnancy.

No child should die from a preventable disease. This Christmas we are asking for help to deliver precious gifts such as mosquito nets, training, and medicines to help prevent and treat malaria, and save lives.

Thank You

£60/s83 could train three community health nurses and agents like Dorothy and help them deliver mosquito nets and health advice in their local area.

£100/s140 could teach 60 school children about malaria and help them understand how to stay safe from this deadly disease.

Onuchukwu’s Story

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Christian Aid partner ADCHUS give presentations on preventing malaria and best use of mosquito nets.

Order or download Christmas resources for your service or event at christianaid.ie/christmas

Christian Aid Ireland10

Campaigns

To Paris and BeyondAn update from David Thomas and Michael Briggs on key moments in Christian Aid’s climate campaign in the lead up to the 2015 UN climate talks in Paris this December.

This December world leaders and UN member state representatives will meet for the UN climate talks in Paris to conclude a global agreement that should provide the basis for action on climate change.

The Paris climate talks are a key step in moving the world towards a fairer, low-carbon future.

Christian Aid is pushing for an agreement that will see countries making actionable commitments to reduce their emissions, including shifting away from dependency on fossil fuels towards cleaner renewable energy.

We also want richer countries, like Ireland and the UK, to commit financial support to help vulnerable countries deal with the impact of climate change and enable them to develop in a sustainable way.

Christian Aid supporters and lobbyists have engaged with politicians and media in the lead up to the 2015 Paris climate talks.

From the Westminster climate lobby last June, the lobby meetings with Northern Ireland MPs, the Sandymount ‘Heads in the sand’ and other climate campaign events, the message has been clear – ambitious action on climate change is needed now.

Last October, Ireland passed the long overdue Climate Bill. While the Climate Bill does not go as far as it should in setting out action and targets, it guarantees that future governments must have an action plan for reducing emissions.

National action plans will have to take into account climate policy, the objective of which is an 80% reduction in emissions from buildings, energy and transport and carbon neutrality in agriculture.

With the Climate Bill in place, we can now focus on how Ireland will achieve emission reductions and contribute to global action on climate change.

We will continue to campaign for action on climate change in the run up to Paris and beyond.

We want political leaders to know that there is strong support for ambitious binding commitments in Paris. We need to keep up public pressure, push for targets and ensure that commitments are delivered.

Photo: Stop Climate Chaos. 150 people gathered on Sandymount Strand, Dublin on July 4th for the ‘Heads in the Sand’ photo action. The photo was a symbolic statement calling on the Irish government to take their heads out of the sand and take immediate action to tackle climate change.


“People all over the world need to act together now. We have to make the leaders contribute to a just climate and help people who are really suffering. We must not forget that we are one human family.”The Most Revd Dr Thabo Makgoba, Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa.

Christian Aid supporters will join climate campaigners on the streets of London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Dublin and Belfast as part of a weekend of marches and rallies on the eve of the Paris UN Climate talks. Thousands of events will take place in cities all over the world as people gather in solidarity to demand ambitious political action on climate change.

The Dublin, Cork and Belfast events are on Sunday 29 November 2015. There will also be two Ecumenical Services in Dublin on Wednesday 25 November and in Belfast on Sunday 29 November.

See page 15 for details and information on how to get involved.

Climate Marches

To Paris and beyond

Christian Aid’s Michael Briggs and Jordan Greer will travel to Paris between December 9-14, with Christian Aid supporters and other campaigners from the Stop Climate Chaos Ireland coalition. Follow Christian Aid Ireland on Twitter and Facebook for live updates from their journey.

Photo: Foyle MP Mark Durkan discusses climate change, disaster relief and debt forgiveness at his meeting with Christian Aid and Derry and Raphoe's Bishop's Appeal Diocesan Council.

“Coal is one of the most polluting fossil fuels and the Prime Minister has already promised to phase it out of our energy system. What we now need is a firm date, no later than 2023. Now is the right time to show global leadership on this issue ahead of the Paris climate summit in December,” Mark Durkan.

Mark Durkan Westminster Lobby

Photo: Foyle MP, Mark Durkan supporting Christian’s Aid’s Big Shift campaign which aims to make coal burning history. The campaign also calls on the UK Government to stop using UK Export Credits to fund any coal projects overseas.

For more information visit christianaid.org.uk/bigshift.

Staff and supporters from Christian Aid met with local MP Lady Sylvia Hermon to call for action on climate change and in particular to urge the UK government to move away from their dependence on fossil fuels.

Photo: Bangor Spectator

Staff from Christian Aid and members of the Newtownards Christian Aid committee met with local MP Jim Shannon to call for action on climate change and in particular to urge the UK government to move away for their dependence on fossil fuels.

Photo: Christian Aid / David Thomas


Sustainable Development GoalsAn agenda to transform our world

At the end of December 2015 the UN Millennium Development Goals will expire and the world welcomes their new successors – the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the ‘Global Goals’.

The 17 new SDGs were launched last September 2015 at the UN Summit in New York in the presence of more than 50 Heads of State including President Michael D Higgins the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny and Prime Minister David Cameron. They will apply over the years 2016-2030 and cover a wide range of areas critical to end poverty, including tackling inequality, discrimination, health, water sanitation, economic growth, food security and action on climate change.

The new global goals are expected to build on, and go beyond the significant achievements of the Millennium Development Goals towards ending global poverty. They will also apply to every country and not just the developing nations.

In addition, there is a commitment to see the goals achieved across all groups in society – ensuring ‘no one is left behind’ in the process, including marginalised communities and people who are discriminated against due to their religion, gender or race.

The Goals set out an ambitious vision for a better world, but they will not be realised unless governments and political leaders are fully committed to financing and implementing them.

On climate change, the new agenda states unequivocally that its adverse impacts will undermine the ability of countries to achieve sustainable development. That is why we are campaigning for an ambitious and legally binding

climate deal in Paris this December that drives low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

The inclusion of gender equality as a stand-alone goal, and the target of ‘eliminating all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres’ is also welcomed.

Statistics reveal that violence against women is a global epidemic, yet in many countries social norms allow and condone it. Implementing the SDGs will hopefully ensure the right laws, policies and funding to protect and empower women and girls globally.

Other aspects that we’ve worked on include securing the Inequality Goal. We have also stressed that tax justice will be essential if the Goals are to be met.

Christian Aid and our partners will be monitoring what governments do next to ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals translate into meaningful action for the communities we work with around the world.

We are specifically urging the UK Prime Minister and the Taoiseach to ensure that the UK and Ireland follow up with their commitments to support all the Sustainable Development Goals with implementation plans and include SDG financing in future budgets.

Nothing less than a collective global commitment and meaningful action over the next 15 years is needed to ensure that these Goals achieve their potential to create a just, sustainable and peace world.

You can read more about the Goals at globalgoals.org


Overseas

I travelled to Nepal to volunteer with a children’s charity. I arrived on April 20th and first earthquake struck on April 25th.

When the first earthquake struck, I was standing outside. The ground under me suddenly started shaking and I lost my footing and fell over.

At first I thought the heat was getting to me and I was passing out. But then I saw people running from shaking buildings and realised it was an earthquake.

Driving into Kathmandu hours later, I started to see the true scale of the devastation. People were distraught. They had lost everything and many couldn’t find their loved ones. There were people digging victims out of collapsed buildings with their bare hands.

“The Irish Embassy offered to help me return home to Ireland, but I was keen to stay and help in whatever way I could.”

I emailed Irish-based charities working in Nepal and was soon put in touch with Christian Aid’s Nepal team.

It was fast going from that point. I met with the humanitarian manager in Kathmandu and the next day

I was on my way to Sindhupalchok, one of the worst hit and really remote areas.

I had no relief work experience. I had volunteered in Ireland, but never in a developing country. It was a bit of ‘a baptism of fire’.

It was tough going at first, but I was lucky to be working with really experienced aid workers. The Christian Aid teams were very impressive and made sure to train me up for what I needed to do.

Our teams were tasked with getting basic supplies like food, blankets, hygiene and water sanitation kits and tarpaulins to worst affected. We also had medical staff who were helping the injured.

Over time we moved on to livelihoods, income generation and rebuilding work. People received iron sheets, building toolkits and training so they could build stronger homes.

Some families got seeds and fertilisers and planted vegetable gardens. Before I left, their gardens were growing, and hopefully they will harvest enough to feed their families and a surplus that they can sell.

“I was deeply inspired by the resilience and strength of the Nepali people and how they worked together to help.”

By the time I left three months later, things we still pretty tough. The Nepali people are facing enormous challenges. The rebuilding will take years, but there is reason to be hopeful. I would love to go back one day.

Visit christianaid.ie/Nepal for the latest update and stories of Christian Aid’s work in Nepal.

Sean Reynolds, a 26-year-old student from Dublin, was in Nepal when the two earthquakes struck. Rather than taking up an offer to return home, he chose to remain in Nepal and help with the relief efforts. He writes about his three-month experience below.

Nepal Earthquake: A Personal Story


Strangford Sportive Cycle317 cyclists took part in the Strangford Sportive last October raising over £8,600 for Christian Aid’s work.The 2015 was a huge success thanks to the cyclists and the volunteers and marshals who helped make sure everything ran smoothly; and our event sponsors.

Our special appreciation to our sponsors Podium4Sport and the Good Little Company, who once again prepared a tasty barbeque for participants after the cycle.

Many thanks also to Victoria McMurray (vcwphotoandfilm.co.uk) for taking such great photos on the day. We posted a selection of photos from the cycle on our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/christianaidireland.

Sheep’s Head HikeOver 220 walkers from around Cork, and as far as the UK, joined us for the Sheep’s Head Way last September 5 2015.

“The Christian Aid Sheep’s Head Hike is the largest hiking event on West Cork’s Sheep’s Head Way. The local community and churches has been amazing each year and is very much appreciated”, Andrew Coleman, Christian Aid Cork office, said.

“Our thanks to the Sheep’s Head Hike organising committee, the Sheep’s Head Way Committee, Canon Paul Willoughby, Kilmocomogue Parish Union and all who took part in the event.

The 2015 Sheep’s Head Hike has raised more than €7,600 to date which will make a huge difference to the communities Christian Aid work’s with.

Family Fun DaySome of the families who joined us for the Family Fun Day having a great fun in the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ bouncy castle. We had such a great afternoon with fun activities and entertainment for all ages including games, cake sales, plant stalls, and more.

Many thanks to our event volunteers, including the Transition Year students from King’s Hospital School, the events sponsors, Dundrum Methodist Church for letting us hold the event there and to all the families who joined us on the day.

Our sincere appreciation to all who have taken part in Christian Aid’s ’70 years, 70 events’ to date. We featured some of the events in the special summer edition of Christian Aid Ireland magazine. Here are a few more events.

years ofChristian Aid

1945 2015

70

Photos: Christian Aid / Victoria McMurray


Events

Ecumenical Prayer Service in Preparation for the U.N. Climate Summit in ParisWednesday 25 November 2015 7:30pm, St Teresa’s Church, Clarendon Street, Dublin

In the presence of President Michael D Higgins.

Christian Aid, Eco-Congregation Ireland and Trocáire invite you to join us for an Ecumenical Service of prayer, reflection and worship in preparation for the UN Climate Summit in Paris.

The service will be led by Fr. Christopher Clarke of the Carmelite community of St Teresa’s Church and will also include a variety of music and thought-provoking spoken contributions.

Ecumenical Service for Climate Justice – BelfastSunday 29 November 2015 1:00pm, St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast

Join the People’s Climate March

Date for your Diary: Sunday 28 February 2016

Dr Rowan Williams will be the speaker at a special Thanksgiving Service at 3:30pm. St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Bishop Street, Cork

Join Stop Climate Chaos Ireland for the People’s Climate March, in Dublin and Belfast, on Sunday 29 November.

For details, call 01 496 7040 or contact Michael Briggs at [email protected].

Christian Aid Week, 15 - 21 May 2016

Sunday 29 November 2015 DUBLIN: 2pm, outside Customs HouseBELFAST: 2pm, Writer's SquareCORK: 2pm, outside the Library on Grand Parade

These events are part of a weekend of global marches taking place in cities around the world demanding action on climate change at the UN Climate Conference in Paris.

At the beginning of December, world leaders will gather at the UN Climate Summit in Paris to finalise a global agreement on climate change. The decisions they make will affect each one of us for years to come.

For more information on these events please contact [email protected] or call (Belfast) 028 9064 8133 or (Dublin) 01 496 7040.

To donate visit: christianaid.ie/celebrate

At Christmas time we celebrate the birth of God’s son, rejoicing in the hope he brought to the world in his unexpected form.

Today hope is brought to Nigerian communities in other unexpected ways; a mosquito net and Community Health Agents.

Astonishingly malaria kills around 250,000 children in Nigeria a year, which is why it is so important that communities know how to protect themselves. Christian Aid trains Community Health Agents in malaria awareness so they can help families to be safe.

£20/€27 could train a Community Health Agent who will then go on to visit at least 185 families!

‘FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN’ Isaiah 9:6

Christian Aid Ireland - NI charity no.NIC101631 Company no. NI059154 and ROI charity no. 20014162 Company no. 426928. The Christian Aid name and logo are trademarks of Christian Aid. Christian Aid is a key member of ACT Alliance. © Christian Aid Oct 2015 J4577

Cut out this star and

hang it as a decoration

on your Christmas tree!

Or, write a message on

the back and use it as a

Christmas card, donating

the money you save to

Christian Aid.

christianaid.ie/christmas

Decorate your Christmas tree with our special Christmas stars.

Order yours from:Dublin: 01 496 7040 [email protected]

Belfast: 028 9064 8133, or [email protected]

You can also get your Christmas presents from presentaid.ie

christian aid ireland magazine - winter 2015

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