Leanne Clelland reports on a new carol inspired by Christian Aid.

KATHY Galloway has long made the connection between Christmas and Christian Aid.

She remembers singing carols as a child by the light of flaming torches to raise money for the organisation. So when Kathy was invited to write a carol for Christian Aid, she was honoured to accept the invitation.

“In looking for inspiration for the song, I found a thread of story that linked the great call of John the Baptist to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’ with the experience of people living in poverty through the centuries.”

Kathy, former head of Christian Aid Scotland, has witnessed first-hand the courage and persistence of mothers who live in extreme poverty. “I’ve looked at the dirty water that’s their only option, and now, I never turn on my kitchen tap without being grateful for the clean water that comes out of it. Last year, when we couldn’t exchange presents, my family donated to Christian Aid instead, so that others could have the gift of the water of life.”

Kathy found herself writing a carol about a hope which continued to shine against all the odds. “When out of poverty is born a carol which describes a dream that will not die. A simple but profound dream of safety and shelter, of dignity and peace, and the ability to provide for your children.”

Kathy spent last Christmas alone, unable to see her children and grandchildren due to Covid-19 restrictions. “It was hard not being able to open presents together. But I knew that the children would still have presents, delicious food and clean water for washing and cooking and drinking. We didn’t have to face the impossible choices so many parents face.”

Across South Sudan over a million people experienced flooding last year and food insecurity is affecting 60 percent of the population and 80 percent are living in extreme poverty. For the third consecutive year, heavy rains in recent months have caused flooding in large parts of the country.

This year Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal focuses on South Sudan. To find out more and to download resources, including the lyrics to Kathy’s hymn, go to: caid.org.uk/christmas