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This is a text-only version of an article first published on Thursday, 4 April 2019. Information shown on this page may no longer be current.
PEOPLE across the Diocese are being urged to support Christian Aid by eating soup this Lent. For example, in the Hambleden Valley, there will be a series of Lent Lunches to raise money for Christian Aid's work. Organiser Penny Mcleish said, "Over the years we've raised thousands of pounds to help people in
Michael with his grandson need. " The money raised is used to help people like Michael, who lives in South Sudan, where 6. 1 million people urgently need humanitarian aid as a result of the conflict that erupted in December 2013.
Ongoing fighting has displaced 2. 4 million people, and up to 5. 3 million people are at risk of severe food shortages. Michael, who is in his 70s and has gradually lost his sight during the past five years, fled alongside his family when government forces came to his village.
Soldiers killed people and stole cattle, forcing Michael to flee to the swamp where he resided with his family for two months.
When they returned, most of their belongings were gone, and they were left with next to nothing.
With the help of fishing hooks and nets from Christian Aid, Michael is now able to take the younger generation to the swamp to teach them how to fish so they can continue to feed their community. Phil Evans, of Christian Aid's Oxford office, said: "We are asking you to reflect each day on the blessings in your life through Count Your Blessings, inspired by daily opportunities to give, act and pray for communities like Michael's, helping them to find a safe place to call home.
"Christian Aid is working with people displaced within South Sudan, who are living in some of the hardest to reach places, to provide much-needed food, safe water and sanitation facilities and essential household items, including sheeting for temporary shelters, as well as fish hooks and nets so they can start to rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient. Just £15 could provide fishing gear for a family like Michael's; £8.50 could provide two cooking pots so they can eat a hot meal; and £3 could pay for two plastic jerry cans so they can store safe drinking water.