CAFOD Campaigners are going to London to end Global Hunger! – Join in to play your part.

CAFOD Campaigners will be joining thousands of others to tell the G8 to act on global hunger.

Campaigners from groups including CAFOD,Christian Aid, Oxfam, Save the Children and Tearfund are travelling together to London for the ‘Enough Food For Everyone’ Event at Hyde Park on June 8.

Anyone wanting to take part can now make use of three coach services, organised by CAFOD and the local coalition, leaving from Plymouth and Exeter.

The service from Plymouth will leave at 7.00 am from Plymouth bus station and arrive at its second stop, Buckfast Abbey, at 7:30 am.

The Exeter service will leave at 7.30 am from the Okehampton St. Car Park and arrive at its second stop, Sainsbury’s Hankridge Farm, Taunton, at 8:10 am.

For more information or to book a place on one of the coaches, call CAFOD Plymouth on 01364 645440 or visit www.ifplymouthcoach.eventbrite.co.uk or www.ifexetercoach.eventbrite.co.uk

IF campaign 2013 – Come to London and End Global Hunger

Come to London and End Global Hunger

Catholics across the South West are set to support CAFOD on June 8 at an unmissable Hyde Park event, challenging world leaders to secure a fairer global food system.

The Enough Food For Everyone … IF event will increase pressure on Cameron’s Government to use the UK presidency of the G8 to start to bring about an end to hunger.

From left to right: Nick Clegg MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Miliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party, Justine Greening, Secretary of State for International Development, at the launch of the IF campaign 2013. MP’s and Peers attended the parliamentary launch of the IF campaign in the State Rooms of Speakers House, Palace of Westminster. London, UK.

CAFOD will stand alongside representatives of 150 other UK-based organisations in the coalition calling for world leaders to take urgent action. The day will consist of faith services and other activities across the capital, yet to be disclosed.

The event which hopes to attract tens of thousands to Central London and spread its messages to millions across the nation, begins a period of action targeting the G8 summit which meets in Fermanagh, Northern Ireland just ten days later. As the UK has the G8 Presidency, campaigners hope that as host, David Cameron will have a significant voice in the discussion, which has the potential to be a landmark step in the journey towards ending global hunger.

CAFOD has launched its Hungry For Change campaign which contributes to the IF campaign, together encouraging the G8 leaders to act on big issues that mean many people do not get enough food. The aim is to empower small-scale farmers to keep their land and survive economically by overriding the injustices stemming from tax evasion and human rights breaches. Companies dodge ten million pounds in tax in Africa each day. CAFOD believes this is a scandal and that companies should be brought to account.

CAFOD Manager for Plymouth, Simon Giarchi, said: “In a world where there is enough food for everyone, but where the life chances of 937 million young people will be damaged by the impact of childhood hunger by 2025, change could not be needed more.

“Thousands of Catholics up and down the country have already signed up to CAFOD’s Hungry for Change campaign calling for fundamental changes in the global food system. We can make a difference again if we stand together and take action. Joining Enough Food for Everyone IF means that the campaigning strength and the incredible commitment of our supporters and volunteers will play a vital part in this joint campaign.”

At his inaugural mass, newly elected Pope Francis pleaded all of us to play our part in the Body of Christ. As he addressed world leaders and those gathered at St Peter’s he said “I would like to ask all those who have positions of responsibility in economic, political and social life … to protect all of God’s people and embrace with tender affection the whole of humanity, especially the poorest, the weakest, the least important.”

For further information on the events and the campaigns call CAFOD Plymouth on: 01752 551 679 or go to:

http://enoughfoodif.org/

http://www.cafod.org.uk/Campaign/Take-action-today/Joint-campaign-on-food

Run For Women

The eight Plymouth Catholic schools consisting of two Secondary’s and six Primary’s, took part in the run on Friday June 22^nd 2012.  In exchange for £1 each child and adult wore their sports kit to school to participate in the run.  The money raised contributed to CAFOD’s global work.  Seven of the eight schools taking part held their own on campus events, with St Joseph’s RC primary in Devonport holding their event at Brickfields Athletics Track which is perfectly situated next to the school.

All eight of the school’s who took part in the Run for Women were connected by two link runners, Mr Arran West from the Cathedral school, and Ms Leah Bartram from Holy Cross; who ran from school to school bringing with them messages from women around the world helped by CAFOD.

The event was coordinated across Plymouth Schools by Leah Bartram, Head of Learning at Holy Cross RC Primary.  Leah said:

Leah and Run For Women 2012

“The equality of women globally is something I am extremely passionate about.  I

have always believed every woman have the right to be equal to every man. The Run for Women campaign through CAFOD is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the inequalities women and girls still face across the world.  

On my run from school to school, I felt an enormous sense of pride that I was doing something for women globally.  While running between each school I spent time reflecting on my own history and the suffragettes that gave their lives for women’s equality.  I wanted to embrace the opportunity to do something I could feel with every bone in my body and do something for my sisters globally.

It was awesome arriving at each school watching the children, adults and parents running and for them knowing that as a group of people we were contributing and supporting women globally.”

St Paul’s RC School St Budeaux getting stuck in to the Run For Women 2012

 

In total around 2000 pupils, staff, governors and parents from all 8 schools took part in the Run for Women raising an amazing £1695.90.  All our thanks go to all those who took part in the Run for Women 2012!

Harvest Celebration at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

Pupils, parents and staff from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Buckfast celebrate Harvest Festival with CAFOD.

Lucy, Finlay and Jonty wrote the following article for us.

At St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, we held our Harvest Celebration to raise money for CAFOD.  We learnt about what CAFOD is and how it raises money for people who are less fortunate than we are.  During our celebration, some children created a Powerpoint presentation about CAFOD’s work.  Other children shared readings and prayers about what Harvest is all about.  One class learnt a Samba dance, which they performed for everyone and the younger children sang the story of the Little Red Hen. The whole school wrote their own prayers, which were displayed on Harvest Plates.  Everyone learnt lots of Harvest hymns and made food which was sold to parents after the Harvest Celebration had finished.  Burrator Class decided to make Anzac Biscuits which linked with their World War Two topic, Fernworthy made Pumpkin soup and Venford made bread, just like the Little Red Hen.  Lots of families came to support us – in fact there were so many people that there were no chairs left so some people had to stand up at the back!

From this event and others that had been held in school, we raised £250 for CAFOD. 

We would like to thank all the pupils, parents and staff at St Mary’s for their fantastic support of CAFOD and for them standing in solidarity with the worlds poor and disadvataged.

CAFOD Regional Communications Volunteer (funded position)

CAFOD Plymouth have an excellent opportunity available for students looking to develop a professional profile in journalism, PR, media, international relations or development, but this would look great on anyone’s CV.

CAFOD is piloting a new CAFOD Regional Communications Volunteer role, which is a funded position with expenses to cover travel, lunch (on a full working day) and other honorarium payment (pay/wage) in recognition of time and effort as agreed.

The successful candidate will join us in working from our new offices based in Ashburton in mid Devon: Address: St. Boniface House, Ashburton, Newton Abbot, TQ13 7JL. We will do our best to support candidates arranging their travel from across the region to the office.

 URGENT – Applicants to send in their application forms by Thursday  17th January 2013

Training will be at CAFOD’s Head Office in London with Media Training on 25th January and Understanding CAFOD training the following day on 26th January (travel and accommodation costs covered)

Be great to see someone from Plymouth Uni getting this role.

Full job description can be found on the links below.

Job description and application can be found on CAFOD Plymouth Public Google Drive (link below)

https://docs.google.com/folder/d/0B7t1CpPEXZQTQjNQYm4wZW5hRlU/edit

Job description – For Word 2002- 2007

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B41zQ85df7-IZmFCUEtUX1pzQ3c/edit?pli=1

Job description – For Word 2010 -2013

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B41zQ85df7-IQ3k4aXhQbEVrSHM/edit?pli=1

Application Form Job description – For Word 2002- 2007 (will work with 2007-2013)

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B41zQ85df7-IY3k5WjRjSUw1d2s/edit?pli=1

 

CAFOD Lunch at Holy Ghost Exmouth

Holy Ghost at Exmouth has been involved with CAFOD lunches for many years.  At present Angie and Lorraine do the shopping and cooking with help from Jim and Jillon on the day. 

Holy Ghost CAFOD Lunch Team October 2012

We (CAFOD Plymouth) would like to thank them and everyone at Holy Ghost for their support of CAFOD. 

On average attendance ranges from 14 to 25 and they have regulars who come every month.  The day starts with a Mass at 11.30 with the lunch following after.

The CAFOD Lunch originally took place on a Friday but it was moved to a Thursday, much to the to the appreciation ofthe members of the Union of Catholic Mothers, who hold their meeting on  Thursdays. Now many of the members have lunch before the meeting.

The lunches are open to Catholic and non Catholics and it was one of their non Catholic ladies who wrote the following poem about the lunches for Poetry Day which rather conveniently fell on same day as the lunches.

The Poem

 

 

Here we are gathered for the Cafod lunch

Really quite an eclectic bunch

Everyone sitting in their place

Waiting for Tony to say Grace

 

We’re here to aid people Overseas

(Margaret, please pass the peas)

Crispy potatoes, veg and roast.

We really should give the cooks a Toast.

 

Maureen is living in a dream

Hoping the pudding is covered in cream!

Followed by tea and coffee for all

(some elderly ladies will make a call – )

 

Then it’s goodbye, cheerio and see you

in November -

and hopefully again in December.

Everyone really enjoyed listening to the and had a good laugh afterwards, with everyone looking forward to the next lunch.

Can you and your parish do something similar, contact CAFOD Plymouth office to get support and assistance in setting up a similar event.

Writing Wrongs

 

As global issues continue to dominate the media  on an almost daily basis, it is possible to feel powerless against them.

 

Becoming an MP Correspondent (MPC) with CAFOD can help you take your power back.

You really can make a difference to these issues that matter so much.

 

CAFOD’s MP Correspondents write to and meet with their local MP three times a year to personally reinforce CAFOD campaigns. Your local MP is your direct link to the Houses of Parliament and so  contact with them is an opportunity to have a real influence on how issues are viewed and discussed in Parliament. There are  hundreds of MPCs over the UK but your voice is important. When you sign up, CAFOD will send you a starter pack with all you need to begin.

Davis Burrowes MP says, “If a constituent says to me, “Please can you raise this issue with a  Minister, then I will do that, CAFOD (MPCs) has raised real issues of concern that prompted me, when I had the opportunity, to ask particular questions. It (writing/meeting with your MP) really does have effect.”

Don’t delay! MPCs are challenging Parliament on the Open Up The Books campaign which encourages mining and resourcing  companies in developing countries to publicise their profits to ensure that the surrounding communities have their fair share. You can help. Read more at http://www.cafod.org.uk/plymouth

 

Why not sign up to become a CAFOD MP Correspondent! Visit www.cafod.org.uk/mpc for more information and sign up to make a real difference.