Diocesan News19 Jun 08

Kilmocomogue Union raises E7,800 for Haiti Milk Project

Kilmocomogue Union Parishes of Bantry, Durrus and Castletownbere in west Cork have raised €2,800 over their initial fundraising target. The joint parishes had a series of fundraising initiatives aimed at raising €5,000 for the Let Agogo diary project of Christian Aid partner, Veterimed in Haiti.

The Church of Ireland parishes started their fundraising efforts in October 2007 following a presentation of the work of Veterimed who are helping diary farmers in Haiti to improve their lives through a project called ‘Let Agogo’ (flowing milk).

One of the key fundraising activities was the ‘Be a smartie Christian’ campaign during lent this year. Every household was given tube smarties which were eaten before lent and the tubes where filled with coins over the lent period.

Other events that were part of the fundraising drive included a “Music of the Night” concert, coffee mornings during Christian Aid Week and fundraisers organised by St James’ Durrus and St Brendan’s Bantry primary schools. Canon Paul Willoughby, Rector of Kilmocomogue Union went on 24-hour fast in May to raise funds as part of the drive.

The overall result was that this parish raised a staggering € 7,800 (€2,800 over target) towards Veterimed which resulted in it being presented to Christian Aid at their United Service on the 18th May in St. James Durrus.

Canon Willoughby expressed great delight on behalf of the parish in their great endeavours during their fund-raising campaign for Veterimed and the fantastic result it is going to make to these farming communities in Haiti.

”This is a fantastic result by this parish community and will make huge difference to the communities who benefit from Veterimed’s diary projects in Haiti, helping them to have a better and stable future”.

During a meeting of the united congregation in St James, Durrus, Andrew Coleman of Christian Aid passed on a message of appreciation from Michel Chancy, founder of Veterimed. In Michel’s message, he said the work of Veterimed was giving good results and making a real difference to local communities.

Andrew Coleman added that, “The fundraising drive is a great example of the role that parishes in rural Ireland can help throughout the developing world. Through support for the work of Christian Aid, local partners like Veterimed are empowered to act and make significant difference to their communities. The funds raised will help Veterimed to build alternative and sustainable solutions to problems in Haiti.”

Local Christian Aid partner, Veterimed established Let Agogo to give vulnerable farmers training to improve their animal breeding and dairy farming techniques so as to increase milk production. Through the Let Agogo project farmers are also trained in marketing skills to help them sell their products.

Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the developing world. 80% of the population in the countryside live on or below the poverty line and only 30% of the children go to school. In the rural areas, where dairy farming is the main source of income, diary farmers’ products are being pushed out of the market by imported dairy products.

Andrew Coleman