Bishop's Harvest Appeal
The success of the Bishop of Derby's Harvest appeal, Trees for Life, Burundi, means that extra help can be given to the people of the Diocese of Bujumbura after suffering more climate-change devastation.
Last year, the appeal set out to raise £5,000 for a tree planting project in the world's poorest country, where the roots will help stabilise the land to reduce erosion and prevent lives, livelihoods, buildings and livestock being washed away by worsening seasonal rains.
Once again, the people of the Diocese of Derby showed extraordinary generosity and the final total raised is £12,428.
The Diocese of Derby pledged to get the project under way on two of the hillsides around Bujumbura, Gisovu, and Nyamaboko, but because more was raised than originally expected, the work can be extended to the Buhina and Kabumba hillside communities.
Recent floods and mudslides in the area have made the work all the more urgent.
Announcing the final total, Bishop Libby said: "Thank you for the generosity that enabled this money to be shared with our friends in Bujumbura for such vital work.
"Thank you even more for the care-filled prayers that continued to be offered for our sisters and brothers in Christ there.
"We do pray that as work continues to protect and sustain the physical environment from ongoing damage caused by erosion and mudslides by planting trees on vulnerable hillsides, congregation and communities would also know the continuing presence of the risen Christ, and put down deep roots into His love to grow resilient and fruitful for His Kingdom."
The Revd Bernard Rwambigo, who is managing the project for the Diocese of Bujumbura, has recently sent Bishop Malcolm an update, detailing the current situation and how the work is expected to progress.
People in Bujumbura watch their land being washed away
The Revd Bernard Rwambigo writes:
‘The province of Bujumbura is one of the 18 provinces that make up the Republic of Burundi.
It comprises nine communes, including Kanyosha.Bujumbura province, commonly known as rural Bujumbura, is also one of the provinces crossed by the Congo-Nile ridge.
The province's most mountainous communes are Isare, Kanyosha, Kabezi and Mubimbi.
Among these more mountainous Communes, Commune Kanyosha lies on the edge of the city of Bujumbura, where houses abound, continuously under threat from the consequences of erosion from the Commune's non-afforested hills.
Bujumbura's housing at the foot of these four hills is at the same risk.
From July 2016 to March 2022, a project funded by Norwegian Church Aid in the Communes of Mutimbuzi, Kanyosha, Kabezi, Isare, Mugongomanga and Kabezi, one of whose activities was the reforestation of bare areas was not able to cover all their hills, including those in Commune Kanyosha.
The hills in the commune of Kanyosha that are high risk are Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills.
The effects of climate change on the these hills continue to be felt: according to the administrator of this commune. Following torrential rain and strong winds, more than 10 dwellings, a church and a school were destroyed, and many fields were damaged; domestic animals were swept away by lightning and others by landslides, to name but a few. See photos of recent flooding and mudslides.
Yet the hill's inhabitants have not been able to take economic action to achieve resilience to the effects of climate change. The Diocese of Bujumbura is committed to protecting the environment and combating climate change, and is standing by these communities to help them address these issues.
As a result of the bare soil caused by the lack of reforestation, natural erosion is in full swing and continues to carry away everything that can be transported by water: small living creatures made up of animals and plants, resulting in genetic erosion where even native trees no longer grow. As a result of this natural erosion, food production is no longer improving.
The consequences of lack of reforestation:
- Erosion manifests itself in the loss of fertility of arable and non-arable soil, which makes it impossible for farmers to sustain their livelihoods.
- Climate change: climate change is causing temperatures to rise, increasing respiratory illnesses and the disappearance of some animals and plants.
- Both of the above contribute to persistent and worsening poverty and ill health.
The overall objective of this extended project is “To contribute to the reduction of the bare soil of the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills, Commune Kanyosha, Province of Bujumbura".
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
Specific objective no. 1: Reduce soil erosion by 20% on the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills in high-risk areas.
Specific objective no. 2: Initiate 16 climate resilience economic groupings.
EXPECTED RESULTS
Expected outcome 1.1: By September 2024, 40% of the 280 women and 40 young people beneficiaries in the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills will have traced contour lines on their landholdings.
Expected Outcome I.2: By December 2024, 20% of the open spaces on the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills will be planted with trees.
Expected outcome 2.1: By July 2024, at least 16 savings and credit groups, including 14 for women and 2 for young people, will be operational.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The project aims to solve the problem faced by the inhabitants of the Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills in Commune Kanyosha, Province Bujumbura. The problem concerns the bare soil of the four hills.
This problem will be solved by contouring all cultivable and non-cultivable areas. Awareness-raising campaigns for members of the local administration and the population will be carried out on the importance of contour marking, contour protection and tree planting.
The beneficiaries will be the heads of households and young people up to the age of 45. These beneficiaries and young people will be given nurseries. Beneficiaries will operate in groups of 20 people each. 16 groups will be formed, including 2 youth groups and 14 adult groups (women mothers of households). The number of direct beneficiaries will therefore be 280 women and 40 young people, making a total of 320 beneficiaries representing 320 households. According to Burundi Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (ISTEEBU), a household consists of 8 family members. The number of indirect beneficiaries is therefore 320x7= 2,240 people.
Other indirect beneficiaries are the population of the four hills and those living below the four hills in the intervention zone.
In these groups, a savings and credit approach will be introduced, so that beneficiaries can set up a fund to help them purchase nursery raising equipment to sustain the project after it ends. The savings and credit approach will use the Self Help Group (SHG) process.
A project team will be set up, consisting of a focal point living in the same locality of Gisovu, Nyamaboko, Buhina and Kabumba hills, two agricultural monitors who are already in the field on salary, an agronomist already on the payroll of the Diocese and the Coordinator, also on the payroll of the Diocese. The accountant will be from the Diocese.
A database will be developed at the start of the project. Data collection sheets to monitor the indicators will be drawn up and made available to the monitors and the focal point. These sheets will be collected on a monthly basis, and the narrative and financial reports to be sent to the donor (Diocese of Derby) will be drawn up on a quarterly basis and whenever necessary.’
(A slightly abridged version of the extended Project Proposal prepared by the Revd Bernard Rwambigo, Diocese of Bujumbura. April 2024)
Please keep this extraordinarily important and valuable work in your prayers.
+Malcolm
Bishop of Repton
‘And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations’ - Revelation 22.2
The Bishop of Derby's Harvest Appeal 2023 will help the people in the Diocese of Bujumbra, Burundi, fight the catastrophic effects of seasonal rains that wash away their farms, homes, land and livelihoods.
Trees for Life Burundi will assist communities there plant thousands of saplings to help stabilise and strengthen the land, whilst at the same time helping wildlife and the environment in the area and beyond.
On launching the appeal, Bishop Libby said: "Burundi is ranked as the world's poorest nation and people there desperately need help to stop their crops, livestock and buildings disappearing down a hillside as the land gets eroded by the rains.
"It is a complex situation but, fortunately, the remedy is relatively straightforward, and I am delighted that this year's appeal will offer hope to those people and communities in danger of losing everything they have."
The Bishop of Repton has recently visited Bujumbura and seen for himself the need to help the people of the East African state.
Bishop Malcolm said: "On the edge of Bujumbura in the Commune de Kanyosha there are two ‘Collines’ greatly at risk, Colline Gisovu and Colline Nyamaboko. There is currently no agro-forestry there.
According to the administrator of this commune, Kanyosha, following torrential rain and strong winds, recently more than ten dwellings, a church and a school were destroyed, and many fields were damaged; domestic animals were swept away by lightning and others by landslides.
"These hills’ inhabitants have not yet been able to take action to secure resilience to the effects of climate change."
The Diocese of Bujumbura, based in and around Burundi’s largest city, is marked by rolling hills and valleys and in that respect alone, not unlike Derbyshire.
The impact of climate change is felt by those who try to make a living by cultivating the hillsides.
Recent years have seen particularly dry dry seasons and torrential rains in the wet season, often causing flooding and devastating mudslides.
Bujumbura is working in various areas to mitigate the effects of climate change by helping local residents plant trees.
Trees hold hillsides in place, prevent erosion, and protect lives and livelihoods.
They make all the difference locally, and contribute globally to carbon capture.
Saplings ready to be planted in Burundi to help stabilise the soil
Landslides can have a far-reaching impact on communities, not only through the loss of houses and fields, but also through the destruction of critical facilities.
The loss of a school means that opportunities for education and qualifications in that community can be lost. In turn that greatly reduces the chances of getting a job, and that reduces the chances of being able to support yourself and a family adequately.
And that can lead to a loss of hope.
But the people of Bujumbura have a lot of determination and know that by planting trees - thousands of trees - the roots will grow and help stabilise the land.
They turn out in numbers to dig trenches and get planting - but they can only do that when viable saplings are available.
►Donate now◄
Locals dig trenches to start the tree-planting process
How will the Bishop of Derby's Harvest Appeal help?
The focus of the Diocese of Bujumbura’s work, with our support, will be:
- to reduce soil erosion by 20% on Gisovu and Nyamaboko hills by marking out the contours of the hillsides and planting trees strategically to offer the best protection to the land, and
- to initiate 20 climate resilience local economic groupings amongst women and young people, with a savings and credit approach to enable beneficiaries to set up a fund to help them purchase tree nursery equipment to sustain a tree planting project for the long term.
£5,000 will make possible all this possible.
If any more is raised, it will enable this immensely valuable work to be expanded to benefit residents of other collines in the neighbourhood.
Bishop Libbs said: "It is a privilege to work together with the Diocese of Bujumbura in this way. Climate change is, of course, a global phenomenon and trees planted in Bujumbura also address, to some degree, climate change in Derbyshire!
"We are one world, and one human family.
"The people of Bujumbura need our help, so let us gift them generous faith, corageous hope and life-giving love."
►Donate now◄
Land is washed away by seasonal rains, leaving a large chasm where crops used to be
How to donate
Maybe you and your church or community could work together to organise an event for the appeal.
Or you can make a personal donation using your debit or credit card at our JustGiving page.
Thank you for your support!
Let's be honest - the world is struggling.
Our county, our country and our planet are full of luscious landscape and wonderful wildlife.
But large swathes of it are on the verge of being in tatters or even disappearing completely.
For some, it's already too late.
Climate change, pollution, a growing human population and an over-reliance on Earth's resources mean that now, more than ever, we as the custodians of the planet must act to take care of God's creation.
So this year, the Bishop of Derby's Harvest Appeal will support three causes all working to help protect wildlife and the natural resources it relies on:
- ► Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's rewilding projects
- ► The Anglican Communion Forest Initiative
- ► Restoring Kenya's coral reefs - an A Rocha project
► Click here to make an online donation
Each in turn will help provide vital resources for the wildlife that depends on it - creatures in the air, creatures on the land and creatures in the sea.
Whilst these are just three of the many tens of thousands of projects around the world that help to preserve the planet of which we are custodians, each is hugely important in its own right as well as being a part of connected projects to help balance - even reverse - the damage humankind has done to this Earth.
Every donation will help make a difference to each of the three projects the Bishop of Derby's Harvest Appeal is supporting this year.
The generations of humans thus far have had an adverse effect on this planet - it is now incumbent on us to further the process of rectifying that damage to those precious resources so that future generations can still know the beauty, richness and diversity of God's creation.
► More useful information on how you can help fight climate change
Please help in whatever way you can.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's rewilding project
In the Diocese of Derby, we are incredibly lucky to live either in, or on the doorstep of, some of the country's most beautiful landscapes.
But like everywhere else, we are guilty of causing many of these places to become severely depleted of wildlife because of, for example, pollution, over-population, poor management and our own human greed and selfishness.
Rewilding allows the land to ‘go back to nature’ so wildlife can thrive.
As far as possible, humans stay well back …no vehicles, no pollutants, no heavy boots on the ground.
What we then see is remarkable: nature takes charge and increases the abundance of plant and animal communities to levels that are far higher and more complex than human management could achieve.
Seeds and plants are free to germinate and grow.
Insects, birds and mammals start to explore these areas - some make them their home, others use them as wildlife "service stations" as they travel around.
The likes of bees and butterfies, birds and bats, hedgehogs and badgers, and otters and beavers then have a place to feed undisturbed and their very survival is made a little easier.
Derbyshire Wildlife Trust manages 50 sites for nature as well as other work to promote rewilding and land management, and every donation really is used to it's full potential.
The re-wilding projects include Allestree Park in Derby (pictured above), Thornhill Carrs near Edale, Willington Wetlands and the Wild Peak region.
- £50 could help reserves officers support landowners in re-wilding their land
- £250 could help maintain and manage half an acre of wildlife meadow for one year
- £500 could plant trees in more than half an acre of woodland
As well as the work that directly affect wildlife in Derbyshire, DWT is building Team Wilder - a movement supporting individuals to act for nature.
Together, we can make more space for nature to become abundant once again, give our struggling wildlife the chance to recover and restore beautiful wild places - places that store carbon and help to tackle the climate crisis.
Big and small there is a role we can all play. https://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/teamwilder.
The Anglican Communion Forest Initiative
The Communion Forest was first conceived in late 2019 when the Lambeth Conference Design Group asked for ideas for a lasting legacy of the forthcoming conference.
This formed the basis for the Communion Forest initiative that exists today and will significantly increase Anglican tree-growing and landscape protection around the world and deepen care for creation within the life of the Church.
Together, these real-life planting projects will form a virtual, global “forest”, and its activities will be determined locally by provinces, dioceses and individual parishes so that they are geographically, culturally and environmentally appropriate.
The first tree was planted this year as part of the Lambeth Conference - a tree that Bishop Libby helped to plant (pictured above).
The Communion Forest is a global act of hope which involves a wide range of creation care activities.
Restoring Kenya's coral reefs - an A Rocha project
Kenya’s coral reefs are impacted by global and local threats, including a warming ocean.
Reefs in Watamu, where A Rocha Kenya’s field study centre focuses on marine conservation work, are struggling to recover.
Fish, crabs, and many other sea creatures depend upon certain types of corals which provide shelter and resources.
These reefs can provide an abundance of food for local communities when healthy.
Some species of coral that were abundant in the past, particularly those that provide the most shelter for other creatures, are low in number or absent from these reefs.
A Rocha plans to restore these coral reefs by carefully selecting corals from areas nearby, that will replenish low numbers or return coral species to these reefs.
How to donate
Individual online donations
► Click here to make an online donation
There is the option to Gift Aid these donations.
Church and School donations
Where possible, participating churches and schools should send their donations (including any reclaimed Gift Aid) by BACS transfer – details for this transaction are:
Bank account name: Derby Diocesan Board of Finance
Bank account number: 85463671
Sort code number: 60-12-01
Payment Ref: HARVEST2022
When churches / schools send their donation by BACS, please notify us by email to finance@derby.anglican.org and include payment details – (i) date & (ii) amount.
This is important to us, as your email will ensure your donation is identified and a “thank you” will be sent.
Cheques should be made payable to DDBF Ltd and sent to
“The Bishop of Derby’s Harvest Appeal 2022”
c/o Derby Church House
Full Street
Derby
DE1 3DR
Useful information
Gaia
Dont forget to visit Derby Cathedral's Gaia installation from 22 September – 16 October 2022.
Gaia is a touring artwork - a giant globe measuring seven metres in diameter and created from detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface.
Great Big Green Week
Be part of Great Big green Week - the UK’s biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect nature.
Eco Church
A Rocha UK’s award scheme for churches, designed to equip your church to express your care for God’s world in your worship and teaching; in how you look after your buildings and land; in how you engage with your local community and in global campaigns, and in the personal lifestyles of your congregation.
ARC's Living Churchyards
More than 6,000 British churchyards run their small plots of land as sacred eco-systems – without pesticides, and mowing the grass only once a year – ensuring that birds, reptiles, insects and bats can thrive. Could your churchyard become one too? Find out more.
Prayer resources
Climate Intercessors is a global network of people whose prayers are as real and urgent as the climate crisis, where you will find some useful prayers and information. Please take time to pray.
The Queen’s Green Canopy
It's not too late to "plant a tree for the jubelee" - perhaps as a tribute to Her Late Majesty.
Anglican Communion Environmental Network
The Anglican Communion Environmental Network website has liturgical material for Seasons of Creation 2022, climate vigil songs album, and webinars on prophetic indigenous voices on the planetary crisis from Amazonia, Africa, Aotearoa and Polynesia.
Climate justice
Please consider signing Christian Aid’s justice petition to the prime minister to ensure that the UK fulfils its responsibilities and its promise to "build back better".
Please take time to look at USPG’s campaign for climate and ecological justice. You can read USPG's advocacy and church resources booklet "Faith in a Changing Climate". It includes information on climate change, stories from around the world, prayer material, Bible studies and information on how to lobby your MP.
>> Click here to make an online donation <<
With desperate poverty and homelessness severely damaging the life chances of girls in one of the world’s biggest and poorest slum areas, Bishop Libby has launched this year’s Harvest Appeal to raise thousands of pounds towards their housing and basic education.
St Elizabeth’s Hostel in Kolkata, India, is the focus of this year's Harvest Appeal, which will run in parishes and schools throughout the Diocese of Derby from September to the end of December.
The diocese has a long mutual association with the Church of North India, not least through links with schools over many decades.
Drawn from some of the poorest slums in the city, St Elizabeth’s is a refuge for up to 86 girls at any one time.
Sometimes homeless and always underprivileged, the girls at the hostel are provided with accommodation, food, clothing and other basic necessities as well as an education up to Higher Secondary level.
As a result of the pandemic, financial support has either been cut or is at severe risk in what are sometimes considered as low-priority areas, such as girls’ education.
Bishop Libby is determined that the long-term development of girls at St Elizabeth’s should continue.
Education helps them overcome social and financial challenges and to access jobs and income that will enable them to live independently and sustain themselves.
Without the support of St Elizabeth’s, most of the girls would receive no education at all, making it likely they would remain in poverty like many thousands of other girls and vulnerable to exploitation, often by the sex trade.
Bishop Libby said: “Many of these girls come from truly desperate situations, and lacking the basic tools to be able to change that. St Elizabeth’s work is so inspiring – a shining example of our partners in the Church of North India making known the good news of the Kingdom of God.
"The joy and opportunity it brings are clear to see on the faces of these girls, and I know the people of Derbyshire will join with us help us raise the money needed to keep this wonderful institution alive.”
Individual online donations
You can make an online donation to the Bishop’s Harvest Appeal at www.justgiving.com/campaign/harvestappeal2021.
There is the option to Gift Aid these donations.
Church and School donations
Where possible, participating churches and schools should send their donations (including any reclaimed Gift Aid) by BACS transfer – details for this transaction are:
Bank account name: Derby Diocesan Board of Finance
Bank account number: 85463671
Sort code number: 60-12-01
Payment Ref: HARVEST2021
When churches / schools send their donation by BACS, please notify us by email to finance@derby.anglican.org to include payment details – (i) date & (ii) amount.
This is important to us, as your email will ensure your donation is identified and a “thank you” will be sent.
Cheques should be made payable to DDBF Ltd and sent to
“The Bishop of Derby’s Harvest Appeal 2021”
c/o Derby Church House
Full Street
Derby
DE1 3DR
A Ray of Hope
Suriya’s mother succumbed to domestic violence and soon afterwards her father left her along with three of her siblings. Her maternal aunts support them financially and their grandmother aids the education of her sister. Residing at the hostel has helped Suriya cope with serious economic problems and the food crisis at home. She responds well in class and has performed well in her exams.
The death of Priyanks’s father left her family in a critical financial position. Her mother struggles to make ends meet by doing housekeeping work but for meagre pay. For monetary reasons her siblings have to reside with her paternal family. Staying at the hostel has affected her positively. She has been able to put aside her past and is doing well in her studies.
KumKum has lived in a rented house with her mother since her father left them when she was only a year and half old. Mother and daughter were under great financial pressure so KumKum decided to enroll herself for boarding. Their lives are still full of struggle but the hostel had been a ray of hope at a time of despair. She is studying well and scoring good grades and some, if not all, of their educational and financial problems have found a solution.
Sonia hails from a Christian family of two elder sisters, mother, father and grandmother. Her mother works at a grocery store which she started during the pandemic. Her father repairs electrical goods and sells religious books at the market. They have had financial troubles for a considerable period but her parents have always supported her and her siblings’ education. She has scored a well-deserving 79.8% in her Madhyamik Exam 2021.
Priya Halder from Bardhhaman never knew her father’s love. Her mother, with the help of St.Thomas’ Home Howrah, kept her in the hostel to pursue her education. Priya is talented in recitation and has come first in a competition organised by the State Government. She was awarded a memento and a book - she has made us proud. She gets financial assistance as girls in the OBC, Minority and scheduled Caste quota receive financial help from the state government.
Thank You in anticipation of your generous support for the Bishop of Derby’s Harvest Appeal 2021
If you are able to contribute to this year’s appeal please visit our dedicated Just Giving page where you can donate directly to the appeal.
Cheques should be made payable to The Bishop of Derby’s Harvest Appeal and sent to:
Finance Department
Derby Church House
Full Street
Derby
DE1 3DR
Details of the 2019 appeal will be coming soon
Please send donations to:
Edward Latham,
64 Birkinstyle Lane,
Shirland,
Alfreton,
DE55 6BS
Cheques should be payable to The Bishop of Derby’s Harvest Appeal.
