During drought, a mother and sisters are in search of safe water.  Photo: ACT Alliance/Havard Bjelland

A bi-monthly news bulletin exploring development, global justice and the work of CWS. An alternative to mainstream media sources. Past issues can be read here

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Give Water this Christmas

Three years ago ACT Alliance photographer Havard Bjelland took the image of nine year old Asanti that we are using in this year’s Christmas Appeal.  With her mother and sister, she is collecting water in Ethiopia after unexpected rain.  In the small village where they live, drought is very familiar and getting worse.  Small farmers depend on being able to predict when the rain will come, but no more.  Without water, they cannot reliably grow food.  People become sick and even if they recover, they may become sick again because of water-borne disease.

This Christmas we remember the people who need water and those who depend on the ocean and waterways in our prayers and with our gifts.   Read five featured stories from our partners that show how you can give families safe, clean water this Christmas.  Give Water, the essence of survival.  Please donate now.

In Numbers

• 2.2 billion people lack safe drinking water.
• 4.2 billion people lack safe sanitation.
• Universal access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene would reduce global disease by 10%.
• 1 million deaths each year are associated with unclean births.
• 2 out of 5 people lack basic handwashing facilities at home.

Holiday Notices

Our office will close at noon on Tuesday, 24 December and reopen on Monday, 6 January, 2020.  If you need to get hold of us, please write to cws@cws.org.nz.

It is cyclone season in the Pacific so follow us on Facebook or Twitter for any urgent news or appeals.  We will post appeals on our website.

New Office

On Friday, January 17, the CWS office in Christchurch will be moving to 3/309 Durham Street where we will be a foundation tenant at Durham St Methodist Church’s Aldersgate Centre.

Our contact details remain the same.  It will take us a few days to pack and unpack, but we will respond as quickly as we can.

Buy Trade Aid

Trade Aid has a beautiful range of gifts and food items for your Christmas shopping.  Use the online promo code ‘CWS’ and we will receive 20% —another way to support the work of CWS this Christmas.  Orders over $100 are postage free.  This offer is only available until midnight on Sunday, 15 December.  Order now.

Give a Gift That Changes Lives

Thanks to your support, staff and volunteers are busy filling orders for Gifted.  It’s a sure sign that people will get a gift that will be life changing and last longer than that box of chocolates.  People are loving bees for small farmers in Sri Lanka, fruit trees for the Philippines, and Send a Child to School in Haiti. If you are still looking for the perfect present, there are all sorts to choose from at Gifted.  Order today or at the latest on Monday so your cards will arrive in time for Christmas.  Order as E-cards anytime, even on Christmas Day.

COP25

At the global climate negotiations in Madrid, ACT Alliance members are focusing on gender, adaptation and support for the most vulnerable.  At the end of the first week, head of advocacy and development policy, Isaiah Toroitich says, “As observers, it is frustrating and frightening to see how slowly talks are evolving. We have a climate emergency, and still parties hesitate to take bold and ambitious decisions. There is no more time for delay. This summit must deliver results!”

Samoa Measles Response

CWS has launched an appeal for Samoa following a request from our colleagues at the Family Centre in Lower Hutt.  It is a short term appeal to provide relief supplies and local community-based psychosocial care especially in rural areas.  Staff will train experienced people to visit aiga or families affected by the virus.

Season’s Greetings

We are thankful for your prayers and support through 2019.  It has been a year of uncertainty, especially for those living on the frontlines of climate change and conflict. 

May the hope we find in celebrating the birth of Jesus, be our inspiration in the year ahead.

Pauline McKay and CWS staff

 

CWS Update provides news, information, and stories.  Reproduction of items is encouraged with attribution to CWS.  Current and back issues are available.