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My story

Dear Friends at St. John's Southbourne,

This year our Christian Aid theme is related to climate change again and the struggle for people in Malawi to grow enough crops to provide for their families. In the face of the recent Cyclone Freddy that has just hit Malawi in April, your support is more vital than ever. Floods have washed away crops such as maize, pigeon peas, beans, tobacco and sorghum during the critical growing season. Over 500,000 people have been displaced and hundreds lost their lives.

Through you, Christian Aid will be there long after the flood waters recede, helping families build back.

Jen, a loving mum in Malawi, dreams of her children being able to have the education they deserve.

Her hard-working boys have earned places at top colleges. ‘My heart longs to see our children finish school,’ says Jen. ‘These dreams are very important to me, because by doing so, I’ll be sure that I am creating a good future for the children.'

A terrible dilemma

Her oldest two boys have gained tertiary education places, which is very rare for young people from her rural area. One has a place at a prestigious polytechnic and one at a well-known college – it’s even on one of Malawi’s banknotes.

Jen works hard to provide for her children. But she can barely scratch a living from the soil. Soaring costs of food, fuel, fertiliser, school uniforms and school fees are crushing dreams and keeping her family in poverty.

Now, Jen has had to make a choice. One no mum should be forced to make. Rising costs mean Jen can pay for only one of her sons’ college courses.

This Christian Aid Week you can help dreams come true

Your gift could help famers like Jen plant better seeds, secure a fairer price for their crops, and build happier futures for their children.

Please give today, and help this strong and determined mum provide for her family’s future.


How your money helps

Poverty pushed Aline to the brink. She was abused, homeless and hungry. But Aline pushed back harder. With Christian Aid funded small business training, she achieved what had seemed impossible, a vital income for her and her children.

Fundraising this Christian Aid Week will ensure more people in Burundi get the skills and knowledge they need to push back against the inhumanity of poverty.

Image credits and information i
Aline Nibogora is pushing back against extreme poverty in Makamba Province, Burundi by raising the living conditions of her community with the support of Christian Aid. Credit: Ndacayisaba Epitace
Aline Nigobora stands in front of her home, She wears a pink top and green skirt and is looking in the camera with a neutral expression