Bishops' Lent Appeal 2021

Supporting key workers in Kagera

Every year the Bishops encourage reflection and giving through their Lent Appeal. This year the appeal will be for our link Diocese of Kagera in Tanzania.  The Bishops’ Lent Appeal will support key workers in Kagera.  Extending the care and compassion shown to communities here in Suffolk during the pandemic by supporting farmers, doctors, and priests farmers, doctors, and priests in Kagera, so that they can continue to help their local communities and encourage self-sufficiency.

Farmers

Through the Church and Community Mobilisation Process (CCMP) subsistence farmers are taught to:

• diversify and plant drought-tolerant crops
• make the most of limited rain
• plant tree seedlings
• build rainwater tanks using local materials.

We learned how CCMP has made a real difference in one village. Their leader wrote:

“The training sessions has changed people's mindset. We now understand that though we are poor there are some blessings in our area. Look we have fresh vegetable and fruits that we hear cost a lot of money in other areas - but we get them free''.

This story has been repeated across the Diocese, and local leaders have become trainers for neighbouring villages. Further funds are needed to continue this vital work across Kagera, changing mindsets and transforming lives.

Doctors

Murgwanza Hospital brings vital healthcare to the people of the region. To secure its future and better serve the community, it needs to employ specialist doctors and become a referral hospital. Desperately sick patients will no longer have to endure a six-hour road trip over bumpy, dusty red roads to the nearest referral hospital. Our support will help doctors from Murgwanza to acquire the specialist skills needed. Dr Christian Ruzige is training to become a surgeon. He writes:

“Your donations will help the poorer through my hands. With God’s help there will be healing.”

Priests

Priests in Kagera lead their communities in many ways, not least by leading CCMP groups in their parishes. Kagera Christian Theological College (KCTC) is expanding to meet the growing demand for practical as well as spiritual training. Our support will help to fund staff salaries and building work.

Priests themselves need practical help as well. Many have long distances to travel round their parishes. With your generosity we can help to buy motorbikes (£800 each) so that they can spend less time walking, more time teaching and leading.

How to give

Please give generously in 2021 to help Kagera Diocese achieve its vision of ‘Life in its fullness’. 

To give online please click the donate now button below.

Or download the donation form available here.

Where does the money go?

Your generosity in previous Lent Appeals for Kagera has been inspiring and has helped change lives there. Your past donations have helped:

• enable the CCMP team to travel to villages across the diocese delivering training and distributing new seeds
• provide over 350,000 trees across the region, encouraging local churches to establish their own tree nurseries
• provide materials for training for building water tanks
• build a new dormitory and dining hall at Ngara Anglican Primary School (NAPS), enabling the school to take boarders and attract more pupils
• buy a motorbike for a priest
• pay for health insurance for priests
• pay the salary of a lecturer at KCTC.

Need help?

Our team can arrange for a speaker to come to your church or group (in person or by Zoom) to talk about Kagera and the Appeal.  To book a presentation please email kageralink@gmail.com.

For more information and further resources:

Fundraising Resources

Lent Appeal Information Leaflet | PDF

Lent Challenge 2021 Booklet | PDF

Fundraising Ideas | DOCX

Poster | PDF | PPT

A Taste of Tanzania | DOCX

Service Sheets

Kagera Link Diocese | Weblink

Communion Service for Kagera | DOCX

Family@Church | DOCX | PDF

Kagera Service Resources 2021 | DOCX

Talks

Prayers

Songs