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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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The Christmas Bowl 2004
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Fruit and Veg and Women's Rights in Bangladesh It could be a corner store in any village in Bangladesh, but for all its ordinariness this is the place of a minor gender revolution. First of all it is a woman who is serving male customers. More than that she owns the store, and she's the one responsible for its success. Thirteen years ago it was unusual for women to be in this position, but Mrs Hazara Bezum, has become a pioneer in her community for gender rights almost without trying. How do I help change the world?How often have we said it: 'I can't change the world, but I may be able to change one life.' So we think about child sponsorship. After seeing the Christmas Bowl at work I think that statement is untrue. Up in the hills of Bangladesh I saw how the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB), an ecumenical development agency, didn't start or stop with sponsoring one person, but set out to help a whole township, as well as individuals. In that one village, a holistic program provided two pre schools, nutrition program for school children, helping the poorest children go to school, a land reclaiming program, community education and forum program, midwifery education, health, sanitation and nutrition education, a vaccination regime, farmer's education on livestock and seeds, cultural reinforcement, delivery of fresh and safe water, women's empowerment groups and, low interest loans for entrepreneurial business development. That's all in just one package for one village.This is not about picking individual winners, but how together a whole township is given hope and a chance to break the poverty cycle. I also know that these projects are supported, in most cases, for many years. It is not creating dependence but an acknowledgment that overcoming decades of injustice and long term poverty simply takes time. Perhaps we have to change the old dictum to: 'I can't change the world, but I can make a world of change for everyone in a whole village.' Please give generously to the 2004 Christmas Bowl. Get your Christmas Bowl kits, posters, corflute signs and other resources by contacting christmasbowl freecall 1800 025 101 The Hobart Launch of the Christmas Bowl Appeal will be in the Elizabeth Mall on Friday 19 November, 2004 from 1.00 - 2.00 pm. |
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