Give climate hope this Christmas

Mrs Mafi is a wife, mother, and grandmother who lives on the eastern coast of Tonga. She’s retired as a policewoman and now carries with her a clear philosophy: “No one is left behind.”

Mrs Mafi is taking action with the women in her community to establish new vegetable
gardens on higher ground. The women are also reviving resilient food plants. Together, they are discovering hopeful climate solutions as they share traditional knowledge. When they plant, they prioritise concern for older people and widows. In the face of rising seas, they hope together.

Your gifts support local communities and CWS partners as they adapt to climate change.

Please support the Christmas Appeal and Give climate hope this Christmas.

Hope in changing times

In Tonga, rising seas are impacting daily life. High tides damage vegetable gardens by increasing salt in the soil, while heavy rain floods low-lying homes.

In the face of rising sea levels, communities across Oceania are taking action. Confronted by the unpredictability of climate change, they are joining together. Mrs Mafi wants to build on the progress her community has made. Home composting workshops enhance soil structure. Resources like chicken coops improve their food security through diversification of income.

Hope through partnerships

CWS works with local partners such as the Tonga Community Development Trust (TCDT), an organisation working to develop communities and enhance climate resilience through people like Mrs Mafi. They offer workshops in sustainable farming, business skills and disaster preparedness.

TCDT is providing climate hope this Christmas. CWS supports the work of local partners, like TCDT, as they bring communities together to deliver training and resources.

Working at the grassroots gives local solutions. Hope is born as people are empowered. Self-sufficiency is enhanced because knowledge is shared. In turn, this builds capacity.

Faith offers hope

Christian Faith powers Mrs Mafi. With a smile, she speaks of God’s guidance. She hopes with actions as she works to cultivate resilient gardens, crops and her community. A spirituality of small actions, done together, brings hope.

As we enter the season of Christmas and read in Luke 3:5 of rough ways made smooth, we can think of Mrs Mafi and her community. They take this scripture seriously as they move earth and dig valleys to make new gardens.

CWS provides ways for us in Aotearoa to partner with the energy of Mrs Mafi and her community. As we give, we share practical support of skills, tools and resources.

At Christmas we invite you to share your love and concern for people who are determined to survive poverty and climate disaster with dignity.

The CWS Christmas Appeal has been a tradition in New Zealand churches since 1945 when the first Christmas Bowl appeal was launched to raise funds for post-war reconstruction in Greece.  Together we have supported millions of people through conflict and disaster.  We have helped them improve their lives and livelihoods.  Your donations have funded our local partners to strengthen communities in their efforts to end violence and promote human rights and peace.  Thank you.