As this blog is about Christian Aid you will most probably want to know the history of the charity, from the 1950's, when their work was first set up, right up to modern times.
1940's
After world war two the leaders of several British and Irish churches came together and decided to do all they could to help refugees that had nothing. The original name was Christian Reconstruction in Europe and their purpose was not to convert people to Christian religion but to ease the suffering of average people, no matter what faith. In the first decade the charity managed to raise £29,000.
1950's
Janet Lacey became the president in 1952 and stamped a mark of courage, honesty and determination, which has not changed since. Her main aim was to 'combat poverty' around the whole world. Christian Aid expanded their work area to help countries such as Africa and Asia in newly independent nations. This made the public a lot more aware of the continuing problems around the world. The first Christian Aid week was organised in 1957 and since then millions of red envelopes have been sent via post.
1960's
In 1964, because of the success during Christian Aid week, the name was changed to Christian Aid. By the end of the decade the annual income reached £2.4 million. As food shortages became more apparent around the world, Christian Aid looked further into the causes of poverty, not just the effect.
1970's
Vast famines in Pakistan, Sudan and Ethiopia prompted a huge rise in public support, this also made it apparent that a permanent solution was needed in order to beat poverty, instead of quick relief. The charity also found out that decisions made, both politicly and economicaly, affected the countries people and their way of life. Christian Aid then began to work towards peoples rights by going to countries that had been hugely damaged by war. By now they were working in over 50 countries with more than 100 long term projects.
1980's
More large scale fund raising began to occur, like live aid which caught the public's attention like never before. This made more people give money and government funding became available. By the 1990's the annual income had increased by £5.5 million. To add to everything else the economic recession was becoming current, so support was given to countries such as Lebanon, Mozambique and Ethiopia.
1990's
People started to become aware that third world debt needed to be cancelled. Meanwhile Christian Aid were very quick to respond to problem in Rwanda and the Middle East. Towards the end of the decade the charity was helping ethnic and religious problems in Serbia, Bosnia and Kosovo. During this decade Christian Aid also ran a hugely successful supermarket campaign.
2000's
Brought new changes such as, climate change, war on terror and larger numbers of natural disasters. The charity are now working with more than 50 countries around the world and more than 650 oversea partners. Although the fight is still going on, Christian Aid will not stop helping people in poverty until the problem is gone.
"The world isn’t getting any fairer. Children in Gaza are going to schools pockmarked with bullet holes. Parents are selling their daughters in marriage to earn the money so the family can survive a drought in Afghanistan. Life expectancy for women in Zimbabwe is now 34 years old – it was 65 just a decade ago. The income of some multinational companies exceeds that of entire countries."- Quote from the official Christian Aid website.
I hope that this information has helped improve your knowledge on the history of Christian Aid.
No comments:
Post a Comment