RABBITS, RABBITS, RABBITS

Making a future from rabbits in Rwanda

In Nkomero, a poor mountain community in southwest Rwanda, a group of schoolchildren have formed an association to enable them to buy much-needed biros and exercise books. Each week they contribute ten Rwandan francs (less than 2p) until they have enough to buy a rabbit, which one of them takes home to look after. In time, the children can sell the young offspring and buy what they need for school. In this way they are beginning to learn how to help themselves. They have been guided by their teacher, Esperanza, who was trained in a Social Transformation programme run by Christian Aid's partner, the Episcopal Diocese of Kigeme.

How can you help...

Running like rabbits

Congratulations to Christian Aid's team of runners in April's London Marathon: they are worthy successors to last year's team of 16 who successfully completed the run and raised over £27,000 between them. But you don't have to run a whole marathon to support Christian Aid: this summer look out for a half-marathon, 10km or 5km race for you to join or sponsor a friend. Ask your Christian Aid Organiser for details.

Out with the rabbits

For the less energetic there is a variety of sponsored activities across the UK, many of them offering fine opportunities for rabbit spotting! In Hertfordshire on Saturday 13th May, the East Herts walk takes place along footpaths around the towns of Hertford and Ware. Last year 500 walkers took part, many of them from local schools, and 177 completed the full 40km circuit, raising a record £16,000. In Scotland on Saturday 3rd June, there's a sponsored pilgrimage linking up the three sites associated with St Ninian. It covers 12 miles, beginning and ending at the priory in Whithorn.

Eating like rabbits

If you're finding a diet of lettuce leaves and other low-calorie foods hard to stick to, why not get your friends to sponsor you and help some of the world's poorest people at the same time. Even if you're not slimming, you may like to use this prayer by Mrs Philippa Harpin from Stocksfield, Northumberland:

'Lord, we know we live in a divided world:
While we enjoy the fruits and beauty of the countryside,
others toil with parched and barren soil or floods;
many of us struggle to lose weight,
while others know nothing but hunger.
Help us to find ways to redress the balance and to show we care.'

Christian Aid Week, 14th to 20th May 2000

Could you be a collector?

If you could collect in a street near you, please contact Winifred Mancz, Christian Aid Organiser, telephone 023 9226 3696.

A prayer for Christian Aid Week

O God, you have called us
to be like little children.
Give us the eyes of a child -
curious and determined
to see what is going on.
Give us the ears of a child -
sharp and attentive
to hear your word of love.
And give us the energy of a child -
expecting a response
and confident that we can change the world.

Amen.

(Janet Morley).

Christian Aid, PO box 100, SE1 7RT.

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page last updated 5 MAY 2000