The Church Of Ireland
News Briefing

The Church of Ireland Bishops' Appeal made six grants at its November meeting, with a focus upon central and east Africa.

In Burundi there is virtually no objective reporting on human rights. It is extremely difficult to present an objective picture given the environment of inter-ethnic conflict. ITEKA, a Christian Aid partner agency has become recognised as one of the most objective sources of human rights information in the country. A grant of £35,528 was approved towards the cost of the regular production of a nationwide human rights.

Kenya has suffered ongoing severe drought followed by flooding that has led to three years of crop failures. The Urban Development Programme based at All Saints' Cathedral in Nairobi is supported by CMS Ireland in its care for 350 families, 2,500-3,000 people affected by the famine. A grant of £6,000 was made towards food provision.

People in Rwanda are still struggling to recover from the trauma of war. In the diocese of Gahini CMS Ireland has established a youth training centre to give young people skills with which they may seek employment, a grant of £10,000, 20% of the total cost, was made to the programme.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently ruled by at least three different governments. The reality is that there is no formal government and few structures operate normally. The war forces people to live in abject poverty. The Diocese of Bukavu, which has been associated with CMS Ireland for twelve years, is attempting to support the most needy people through food distribution and the provision of seeds. A grant of £7,500 was made.

Asra Hawariat School in Ethiopia was established 40 years ago, since when almost 100,000 needy children have benefited from its work. The school currently offers academic education, an orphanage, a child and family aid programme, vocational training, a kindergarten, a feeding centre for malnourished children and their mothers, and agricultural production units for training and income generation. A grant of £6,000 was made to the school fund.

One grant was made outside of Africa. The Leonel Valdivia Co-operative in Nicaragua is a small farmers co-operative that has suffered considerably following Hurricane Mitch in 1998 and flooding in 1999. The co-operative has met with a succession of setbacks. A grant of US$4,000 was made to assist the group with the development of its cattle farming.

Further details by email from Bishops' Appeal

The Revd Ian Poulton
Secretary