South Sudan focus of charity supporter gathering

Thomas Baldwin highlights Christian Aid Scotland’s online annual ‘Gathering’ which takes place this month.

SOUTH Sudan will be the focus of Christian Aid Scotland’s flagship supporter event which takes place this month.

For the second year in a row ‘The Gathering’ will be an online event open to supporters the length and breadth of Scotland on February 22 from 10am.

Guest speakers this year include two of Christian Aid’s Africa team, Yitna Tekaligne and Mbaraka Fazal, who will talk about South Sudan, a country which is being hard hit by climate change and which has endured devastating flooding for three consecutive years.

In addition to the challenges of conflict and Covid-19, many people have been forced to leave their flooded homes for higher ground and crops and livestock have been destroyed. Seven million people don’t have enough to eat.

The Scottish Government recently awarded funding (£120,500) to Christian Aid Scotland for humanitarian assistance in Unity State, northern South Sudan.

Christian Aid Partner UNIDOR has been distributing emergency cash grants, farming seeds, tools and fishing kits through the winter months to families in desperate need.

Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal focused on the impact of flooding on clean water in South Sudan. Contaminated rivers pollute water supplies and therefore money raised during the Christmas Appeal will go towards new boreholes, farming support and creating small business opportunities.

Val Brown, Head of Community Relations and Fundraising at Christian Aid Scotland said: “We are hugely grateful to our supporters for raising money for our Christmas Appeal and to the Scottish Government for recognising the devastating impact climate change, Covid and conflict are having on the country.

The Gathering is an opportunity to hear of the ongoing work of our partners and I hope it will also inspire action and prayer. Yitna and Mbaraka will update us on how donations are making a difference to some of the most vulnerable communities. “The Gathering will also look ahead to Christian Aid Week 2022 (May 15 to 21) with plenty of fundraising ideas and inspiration and a chance to ask lots of questions.”

To register to take part in The Gathering please email: edinburgh@christian-aid.org

The charity has also thanked supporters for their participation in the 2021 Kiltwalk and encouraged participation in the 2022 event.

A statement from the charity said: “Christian Aid Scotland was delighted so many supporters got involved in the Kiltwalk last year and is encouraging people to consider taking part again this year. Thanks to the Hunter Foundation, all money raised is generously topped up by another 50 percent.” 

Details and dates, of the in-person events and a virtual event in October, can be found on the website: thekiltwalk.co.uk. The first Kiltwalk of the year takes place in Glasgow on April 24.