Fundraisers are standing in solidarity with people in Malawi in a moment of reflection ahead of Christian Aid Week 2023.
The focus of this year’s appeal is on farming communities who have been battling against climate change and rising food prices to make a living. Their newest crop is the pigeon pea which, although small, is a hardy seed, better able to withstand severe weather.
To highlight the issues communities in Malawi are facing, supporters here have been planting seeds and many of the crops grown will be used to raise funds during the annual appeal (May 14-20).
Former Great British Bake Off contestant Hermine Dossou has been supporting Christian Aid Week with a special recipe and sent a message of encouragement to people to join with the seed planting. In it, she said the women of Malawi inspired her with their creativity – her message can be found: on the Christian Aid website... www.christianaid.org.uk .
Meanwhile supporters have been busy planting and taking photos to share all together on social media on May 9.
Alun Roberts, from Caernarfon, Wales, grows produce in his garden and shares it with community projects.
He said: “I was happy to take part in this moment ahead of Christian Aid Week. These tiny seeds are vital to farmers in Malawi and by planting our seeds here we can show how small acts done together can make a big difference.”
And Sue Pettit has been a church rep in Truro, Cornwall, since 1980, organising various fundraising activities for Christian Aid.
This year, she is hosting a coffee morning but took time out to plant some pea seeds as an act of solidarity.
She said: “I'm committed to supporting the work of Christian Aid; it brings me closer to people in desperate need worldwide, and I'm grateful for what the organisation does on my behalf.
“This Christian Aid Week I'll be doing a house-to-house collection for the first time in several years, and I look forward to our coffee morning on May 20 which is well-supported by the Truro churches.”
Christian Aid has been working in Malawi with local organisation Nandolo Farmers’ Association on projects to help people find practical and sustainable ways out of poverty, including gaining the skills to grow more resilient crops, restore soil fertility, increase harvests and to join cooperatives to earn more for their crops.
In March, disaster struck during the growing season when the southern part of the country was hit by Cyclone Freddy.
More than 1,000 people died and more than half a million lost their homes.
Floods and landslides caused widespread destruction, with homes damaged or destroyed, and roads and bridges washed away, cutting off communities and making relief efforts more difficult.
The team behind this year’s Christian Aid Week say support is even more vital as the organisation responds to this most recent crisis.
Nick Georgiadis, director of fundraising and supporter engagement, is pictured doing his planting.
Anyone who would like to show their support and join with this act of solidarity, can share their pea planting photo on social media on May 9 with the hashtags #VIPeas and #CAWeek.
And to find out more about the appeal this year, please visit: www.christianaid.org.uk.
