"He has filled the hungry with good things." (Luke 1:53a)

Christian World Service is inviting people to think of people who do not have enough food during the season of Advent and Christmas. Climate change is already affecting people who have nowhere left to turn.

At the centre of this year's Christmas Appeal is the story of a brave Sri Lankan farmer. Somawathie supports herself on a tiny plot of land by growing beans, peanuts and vegetables. However, the wild elephants that used to visit her land only occasionally are coming more often. They eat more of the food that she has worked hard to grow. As temperatures warm and climate change begins to bite, she is worried about the future and how she and the elephants will survive.

Small-scale farmers like Somawathie have faced conflict, drought and economic crises, but the climate crisis promises to be much worse. They need help now so they can learn new ways to grow food for their families and deal with mounting challenges – like wild elephants that can destroy months of hard work in minutes.

This year's Christmas Appeal will support the Movement for Land Agricultural Reform and other CWS partners helping small-scale producers like Somawathie. MONLAR focuses on eco- or regenerative agriculture – compost, mulch, improving soil, managing water and intercropping. Members share seeds and sometimes equipment. Local groups run field days, farm schools and one has set up a cooperative store, selling farm produce.

Members work together on campaigns – like finding ways to better manage wild elephants or asking the government to increase the basic pay rate of the workers on the tea estates and plantations.

Some years ago when her husband was still alive, the couple found they could no longer afford to buy seeds or fertilisers. They despaired about their future until they found Monlar. Her husband attended a farm school and instead of trying to buy costly fertilisers, they learned to make their own. They saved seeds for the next crop and made a better income overall. Somawathie is a firm believer in Monlar's approach.

Although her husband is no longer alive, Somawathie can grow just enough to live on - she says she will farm until she dies.

The elephants are becoming a bigger problem. Land that once belonged to the elephants has been cleared by government, large-scale business and other interests, forcing the animals to go further in search of food. As this has happened, the conflict between elephants and farmers is increasing – last year (2022) 145 people and 433 elephants were killed in human elephant encounters. Somawathie says elephants and people have a right to live.

The Christmas Appeal was first launched by Archbishop West Watson in 1945. Through the appeal, churches have helped families improve their livelihoods and live with dignity.

Posters, prayers and videos are available.

Please Share Food this Christmas by making a gift through your parish, by phoning 0800 74 73 72 or at: christmasappeal.org.nz