Tarek is one of the people featured in this year’s Christmas Appeal.  Thanks to the dedicated work of the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees—CWS’s oldest partner – he is getting the help he needs.  When he first met Budour, he would only talk about his damaged home—otherwise he said nothing.  Under her care he has learnt skills to overcome some of the trauma he carried.  The five stories in this year’s appeal show a glimpse of the work made possible by your donations to the Christmas Appeal.  Your gift will make peace in a world where conflict and violence too often prevail.  Please support the 2015 Christmas Appeal: Help Rebuild Lives.

Chris Nichol has kindly written an overview for the 70th anniversary.  On YouTube watch material sent by partners and friends.  From Wadalla Peter in war-torn South Sudan to Helen Clark from United Nations Development Programme in New York, they offer thanks and affirmation of the work we do together.

The office will close at 5pm Wednesday 23 December and reopen at 9am on Tuesday 5 January.  We will monitor emails and respond in case of emergency – watch the website or facebook.

You have given generously to people in need of food, water, shelter and hope this year—thank you!   We wish you a happy Christmas and the world a more peaceful new year!

On the second day of Christmas, give a gift with the promise of new life—chickens, seeds, piglets and more.  Give an e-card to make sure your present arrives on time—perfect for last minute giving.

ACT Alliance welcomed the new global agreement on the climate.  Calling it a milestone in human history, Archbishop Thabo Makgabo, ACT’s ambassador said it  “gives us hope for a climate friendly, resilient and more equitable future.”  Richer countries have agreed to help developing countries adapt and grow, and for “loss and damage” to poor countries that cannot adapt to the severe damage climate change will cause.

CWS is grateful for a government grant of $70,000 to match donations to the Syria Appeal.  Trish Murray recently visited DSPR at work in Jerusalem, Jordan and Lebanon.  She was impressed by how they stretched resources to meet many needs and the way they worked with the refugees.

CWS launched an appeal after the heaviest recorded rainfall caused extensive flooding in Tamil Nadu.  Our partners asked for funds to provide emergency food, shelter, blankets and clothing to some of the Dalit, Tribal and fisher communities with whom they work

At last month’s second Supporters’ Council in Wellington, Pauline gave an overview of the past year and showed the video of Rod Oram “How Small Change makes Big Change”.   Supporters attending appreciated the speed of receipting and response to emergency appeals as well as the information CWS provided.  More detail can be found in the Annual Review.

“CWS is working at the grassroots with vulnerable and marginalised people; and trusting communities to know what is needed and how to make it happen.  CWS was a pioneer in this partner-led response,” Helen Clark, UNDP.

“This community transformation work is done because of your tireless generous support.

Convey our sincere gratitude to all New Zealanders for supporting this programme.”

Charles Rwabambari, Centre for Community Solidarity, Southwest Uganda.

“We appreciate the support of New Zealanders for CWS because it goes a long way—in our case to the other side of the world where we are working together with people who are looking for a better life,” Damaris Albuquerque, CEPAD, Nicaragua.

“We value the partnership with CWS for the past 15 years and we respect their distinct model of relating to the community at the grassroots,” Subbu, SAND Trust, South India.

“Congratulations to CWS.  May you continue to be a blessing to others for another 70 years and beyond,” NCCP, Philippines.

“We love you for your work and compassion.  Thank you,” Bernard Sabella, DSPR, Palestine.