Hopes are high in CAR: Aid Match Appeal Update

Last winter, we ran a campaign to raise support for people in the Central African Republic (CAR) and around the world, determined to rebuild their lives following conflict and other crises. You might remember it – you may have even prayed or donated. Money donated by Tearfund supporters was matched pound for pound by the UK government. In total, an amazing £10,378,028 was raised!

Since then, preparations have been made, new staff have been recruited, and an inspiring new project has just begun. There was a launch event attended by many people, including senior CAR government officials, and broadcasted nationally.

To ensure this work is lifted up in prayer right from the start, we asked staff from our partner, ACATBA, about their hopes for the months ahead...

Hopes for literacy
‘My hope is to see a good number of people, especially women and children, becoming literate. The rate of illiteracy in CAR is very high and is a result of all the trouble this country has faced. The situation for women and children is critical.

‘The young people today, due to illiteracy, have been engaging in actions which are harmful to women in connection with the CAR crisis. Women have been victims of rape and it is because people have taken up arms, are totally illiterate and engage in violence.’ (Elysee)

Pray that many vulnerable women and children will learn to read and write through the work of ACATBA, and that this will lead to safer, better and more sustainable livelihoods. Pray for people like Elysee as they use their time and skills to make this hope a reality.

Hopes for transformed lives
‘My hope is that the project succeeds, meets its objectives, has really good results, and that we will see the impact on the beneficiaries. That impact is the transformation of the social and economic lives of the beneficiaries and the communities.’ (Josephine)

Lift up all those struggling as a result of conflict in CAR, and pray that they will be empowered to lead transformed lives. Pray that our partner staff will be able to find and include those who are most vulnerable.

Hopes for restoration
‘This project is really important to women and children in particular because they have been the most affected by the crisis and have faced so many rapes and attacks, and suffered so much. The project is really important to alleviate the suffering of women in these communities who have been affected [by the crisis] and abandoned. This project will also help children, restore relationships and bring about greater respect for the rights of women.’ (Lynne-Marnell)

Pray that the work of ACATBA will lead to huge improvement in the way women are treated in CAR, and an increase in the opportunities available to them. Pray for the restoration of relationships between individuals and among whole regions.