Thomas Baldwin learns more about the impact of the work of Christian Aid in its 80th anniversary year.

“THE money, the support, the effort, the energy that the supporters put in is restoring dignity and giving a voice to people who have no voice at all.”

Temwa Kasakula, Christian Aid’s Global Heath Advisor, is visiting Scotland to mark the country’s links to the charity in its 80th anniversary year.

Temwa has worked for Christian Aid since 2021 and has been a Global Thematic Adviser for Health and Gender since 2022. Prior to that she worked with various International and local organisations including Engender Health, UNICEF, Voluntary Services Overseas International, Concern Worldwide and Family Planning Association of Malawi. She is a member of the Women’s Guild in the Livingstonia Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, in her area of northern Malawi.

Her work encompasses issues around health injustice, gender-based violence, maternal and child health, sexual reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.

Her trip to Scotland was a ‘Faith Share’ visit in collaboration with the Church of Scotland. She attended the Church’s General Assembly, the anniversary service at St Giles’ Cathedral, events at church’s associated with the Rev Douglas Lister (whose appeal for post-war German refugees led to the creation of the charity) and met supporters throughout the country.

As a Malawian, Temwa has seen firsthand the effects of climate change which have exacerbated the inequalities that help to keep poor people, and poor countries, in poverty. But she is also able to see the difference that charities like Christian Aid make with their partners on the ground.

“Climate change is continuing to make poor people more poor. Developing countries have contributed very little to the changes, but they are suffering more.

She says: “After 80 years as a charity you would think you should be closing, because maybe you should have achieved your goals. But there is still systemic injustice, that still makes poor people more vulnerable. Climate change is continuing to make poor people more poor. Developing countries have contributed very little to the changes, but they are suffering more.

“Recently, Christian Aid received funding from the Scottish Government for a relief programme in areas of Malawi affected by drought. If people plant maize, a staple food in those areas, and it doesn’t grow, they cannot feed their families.

“So we’re providing some relief to people in those kinds of areas. But we’re also helping farmers to take a different approach: providing drought-resistant seeds, teaching them preventative measures and helping them be more prepared for extreme weather.

“Some of the programmes have been really transformative for both individuals and communities.

“And we’re also working on the systemic root causes of the problems. For example, working with governments to try to influence climate policies.”

Asked what message she would have for Christian Aid’s supporters, she said: “I just want to say thank you, because they give their hard earned resources to help, and it’s really touching the lives of the people on the ground. As a supporter, you should know you are not just giving money, you are a source of hope to the people who need that kind of support. Even if you have never met them, I think of Matthew 25: 40 – ‘Whatever you did for the least of my brothers and sisters, you did for me’.