Church appeal makes real difference to people in Sierra Leone

After raising £250,000 for Sierra Leone in a 2007 Christian Aid appeal, members of the Presbyterian Church of Wales are now able to see how the money has made a real difference to the lives of people living in the poorest country in the world.

In November 2008, Jeff Williams, National Secretary of Christian Aid in Wales, and Branwen Niclas, Communications Coordinator, returned to Sierra Leone to see how their partners have spent the money. A DVD of their experiences was produced and sent to member churches.

The Rev Catrin Roberts, one of the appeal’s organisers, said she was surprised and touched as she watched the film for the first time.

“It’s brilliant,” she said. “I had tears in my eyes as I saw some familiar faces and realised how their lives have improved, and I feel so proud that we’re responsible for it.”

Among the people who appear on the DVD is Foray Brima. Foray was the youngest of the eight men who returned to the village of Ngokulu after the civil war. When the rebels reached Ngokulu every family had to flee. Every building was razed to the ground, and nobody returned for six years. The morning after they returned, the men started to rebuild the village.

With help from MCSL, one of Christian Aid’s partners in Sierra Leone, the land was cleared, rice paddies planted, a fish pond opened and the community was empowered. Now it is a busy village of hardworking families happily living together.

Foray is a successful casava farmer, his wife is learning to make soap with other wives from the village and she has just given birth to their second child. Foray is the Chairman of the Peace and Human Rights Club, and he has almost finished building a house for his young family. After losing nearly 10 years of education due to the war, he has recently started literacy lessons under MCSL’s care.

“The response to the Sierra Leone appeal was fantastic and the film is an exciting new way of thanking the churches for their generosity and of showing how the money is quite literally at work in the country,” said Williams.

“The DVD is a chance to see a few familiar faces and hear brand new stories about the crucial work done by Christian Aid’s partners. My hope is that the film will show clearly the difference that is being made by the people of Wales in Sierra Leone and that it will inspire the churches to continue to support Christian Aid’s regenerative work.”

The Presbyterian Church of Wales has over 30,000 members in more than 700 churches, as well as strong links with churches abroad. Its purpose is to worship God and spread the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.