13-19 MAY
A Christian Aid report some 40 years ago looked at the reasons for poverty.   One of the main causes was the way international trade works; the low prices paid to poor nations, the wages and conditions of workers and many other factors preventing people from lifting themselves out of poverty.  After many years we are at last seeing the results of the campaigning of Christian Aid, Tear Fund, Traidcraft and other organisations.  There are an increasing number of fairly traded goods in our supermarkets and, in the case of Chipperfield, our local shops.  Marks & Spencer are currently spending many thousands of pounds to advertise their fairly traded goods.  
While campaigning and lobbying is an important part of the work of Christian Aid, as is the provision of aid in times of disasters and emergencies, the main need and use of funds is to support and help poor people improve their lives, providing clean water, opportunities for education and work, loans for the start up of businesses, help to obtain their rights to land.  Christian Aid does not give money to governments, but works through their local partners, supporting those of all religions and none.
For years our neighbours, Kings Langley, Sarratt and Chorleywood, have been raising many thousands of pounds in Christian Aid Week through house-to-house collections (the main fund raiser), sponsored walks, concerts, auctions, sales and many other events.  Last year we made an encouraging start in Chipperfield, raising nearly �1,700.  St Paul’s would like to see Chipperfield as a regular part of this national fundraising week and are again organising a house-to-house collection and would welcome ideas and offers of help to organise other events.
If you would be willing to be a house-to-house collector, either on your own or as part of a group, please contact Peter Corbett (01923 267066) Janet Cornell (01923 262468) or John Stickland (01442 832090).