Search
“I have achieved a lot: organising women’s self-help groups, getting the children to attend school, and providing basic needs such as water, electricity and street lights. Even men could not have done so much. ”
CWS Christmas Appeal
The CWS Christmas Appeal has been a tradition in New Zealand churches since 1945 when the first Christmas Bowl appeal was launched to raise funds for post war reconstruction in Europe. Over 60 years later, parishes from different denominations along with individuals outside the church continue to come together each Advent to raise funds for development projects and emergency relief around the world.
2008 CWS Christmas Appeal
This year’s theme Keep hope alive focuses on partners working in communities dealing with the impact of conflict. Almost every conflict zone in the world is located in a developing country. Poverty causes conflicts and conflict worsens poverty. Most of the victims of conflict are civilians, many of them women and children. They face a daily struggle to stay alive, protect their families and earn a living. The support that CWS partners provide brings them hope and enables them to work together for a better future. With your support, CWS will be able to continue funding:
- Health care services in refugee camps in Darfur
- Training in peace building in South Sudan, Fiji and Cambodia
- Food growing programmes in Uganda, India, Philippines, and East Timor
- Water services in Palestine and Zimbabwe
- Reforestation and environmental protection in Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka and Nicaragua Protection of street children in Brazil
- Education in Bougainville and Haiti
- Humanitarian relief when disaster strikes
- Campaigns against the causes of global poverty.
How to help
The Christmas Appeal is the main fundraiser for the work of CWS. Please give your support.
>>Donate online, phone 0800 74 73 72 or return your appeal envelope to PO Box 22652 Christchurch
>>Organise an event such as a carol service. Let CWS know and we will add it to our events calendar. Send details to cws@cws.org.nz
>>Promote the appeal in your church and/or community – free resources including images, worship materials, service sheets and PowerPoints are available
>>Give an ethical gift this Christmas. Check out the range of CWS Just Gifts