Charity
Advent
Appeal, December 2022
Our Advent Appeal features Christian Aid’s Christmas Appeal.
Fyness, a fifty-year-old mum of five from Mzimba district, Malawi, describes how her community celebrates at Christmas: ‘Here in our area, we host dances. The young people play football matches. And we celebrate by eating the food we have prepared. We cook chicken and rice. After eating my rice, I feel very happy and satisfied. I wish I could be eating rice every day.’
But sadly, this Christmas, many families in Malawi will struggle even to have their staple food of maize porridge. Hunger has grown, due to the climate crisis, and Fyness knows what a Christmas with no food is like. ‘In the past, I was lacking food. I struggled to find food,‘ she says.
Through Christian Aid’s local partner SOLDEV, Fyness learned to farm – and in a way that helps her get her crops through times of drought, and nourishes her family at no cost. ‘Christian Aid’s partner here taught us the importance of having a garden. At first, I thought it would not be useful, but it has helped me. With the garden, I can get my vegetables and cook.’ Fyness is now growing maize, other much-needed foods like soya, groundnuts and beans, plus vegetables and fruit. There’s even some left over that she can sell, to earn an income.
Fyness says, ‘Now, I am able to feed my family. ‘The produce gives me food security. I take care of my children with this produce. I am grateful to Christian Aid.’
This Christmas, you could help mums like Fyness to lift their families out of hunger. Envelopes are available for you to make a donation during December, or you can make a donation online via the Christian Aid website, www.christianaid.org.uk. Thank you very much for your support.
