CAFOD

CAFOD Lent Fast Day will be on Friday February 27th and this year focuses on growing food in challenges climates.   CAFOD gives us three examples with stories of adaptation from overseas partners in South Sudan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.   In Zimbabwe, rain is scarce. In parts of Bangladesh and South Sudan, there’s too much water. Either way, the result is the same – seeds fail to grow, harvests disappear, and families go hungry.

The challenges faced by South Sudan and Bangladesh are similar, with the main problem being flooding.   Waterlogged land makes it difficult for small farmers to cultivate and grow their crops.   CAFOD’S partners in Caritas Bangladesh and Caritas Diocese of Malakal, South Sudan have introduced the concept of floating gardens.   Seedlings are grown in a mixture of organic fertiliser and compost and then planted in floating gardens.   This new farming method enables vegetables to be grown both to feed their families and to sell.

The challenge in Zimbabwe is the opposite – drought.   Here, CAFOD’s partner Caritas Chinhoyi have helped build dams and solar-powered water pumps, turning dry arid ground into fertile land.  Using drought resistant crops, families have worked together to plant community eco-gardens, enabling them to successfully grow their own food.

Our support this Lent Fast Day will enable CAFOD’s local expert partners to continue to help families struggling to grow food in challenging climates to learn new climate-smart farming methods and adapt to the changing conditions.

So on February 27th we are encouraged to eat simply and give generously.    Our Second Collection will be taken at Masses on February 28th and March 1st.    Please use your CAFOD envelope or scan the QR code to make your Lent donation. If you can, consider setting up a monthly gift to help more of our neighbours for the long-term – and if you’re a UK taxpayer, Gift Aid will add 25 per cent to your donation at no extra cost.

If you would like to take part in the CAFOD Challenge of the Big Lent Walk – walking 200km in 40 days, please see details on www.cafod.org.uk

SUDAN CRISIS APPEAL

Thank you to everyone who donated to this Appeal via our CAFOD Red Box.   The total donated so far is £229.14.   After the end of February, donations in the Red Box will support the Lent Appeal.