Donations to the 2022 Christmas Appeal are already helping communities in need of safe water.

“Thank you for supporting last year’s appeal, ‘Let Hope Flow this Christmas’. Your donations will help many families with water and more. Our local partners work at the heart of their communities addressing the causes of poverty, aiming to meet the most urgent needs. If you are yet to donate it’s not too late. We are very happy to receive further donations for the work our partners are doing,” says Murray Overton, National Director.

Christian World Service was delighted to receive greetings from the Centre for Community Solidarity (CCS) in southwest Uganda. Director Charles Rwabambari reported that they had worked with communities to build 54 more rainwater tanks ahead of the rainy season.

Caleb and his grandmother who featured in last year’s Christmas Appeal were excited to receive their tank. His grandmother had waited nine years for her prayers to be answered. They are very happy, reports Charles. Caleb had the following to say on behalf of his family,

“All the people suffer very much when we travel long distances to get water. Now we are very grateful to CWS New Zealand for helping our families to get water nearer ... May God bless CWS New Zealand for the good work being done in our community.”

After Caleb lost his parents to AIDS, he and his sister went to live with their grandmother. They often had to walk long distances to collect water that was not safe to drink. A few years ago his sister died of typhus. Now 13-year-old Caleb is looking forward to catching up on some of the schooling he has missed because he was collecting the water his family needed.

CCS has built 1,215 rainwater tanks for families affected by HIV and AIDS since the beginning of the programme in 2008. Thanks to the support of our donors including the Methodist Church, over 2,000 children and their caregivers are healthier because they have safer water.

CCS established and supports 25 local associations of caregivers of children who have lost parents to AIDS. At monthly meetings, members share their concerns, learn how to improve their health, and explore income-earning opportunities,

In his message, Charles wished us all a peaceful and prosperous new year.

Donations to the Christmas Appeal can be made at cws.org.nz or by phone: 0800 74 73 72.