This Christmas, while many children across the world are dreaming of new toys and gadgets, others have simpler wishes like wanting food on the table and for their loved ones to stay healthy.
Today (Monday, 3 November), Tearfund has launched its Christmas Appeal shining a light on the reality faced by families in the Central African Republic (CAR) – one of the poorest and most fragile countries in the world, where nearly 70 per cent of people live in extreme poverty, according to the World Bank.
Years of instability in CAR have left families struggling to access basic healthcare, clean water, food and education. Since 2014, Tearfund has been responding to the immediate needs of people affected by conflict – such as helping people access food, clean water and sanitation facilities.
Lionel, 11, and his brother Frédéric, 10, live on the outskirts of Bangui, the capital of CAR, with their mother Valerie, who has been supported through a Tearfund women’s empowerment programme.
“Last Christmas, our mother didn’t have money to buy us anything,” says Lionel. “I pray that God protects our mother so she can stay healthy and be with us. I pray that our situation will be better this Christmas.”
Frédéric adds: “I want to go to school so I can work and earn money, even become the president, so I can build a house for my mother. My mother is suffering a lot. I want to take care of her. Please pray for us.”
Everything changed for Valerie when she joined a local women’s group called ‘Femme Battantes’ meaning ‘Strong Women’ set up after training by Tearfund. Through this group, she took literacy classes where she learnt to read and write, along with practical skills such as soap making to help her earn a living.
Valerie says: “I feel amazing when I'm with these women. Before, I was alone and had a lot of negative thoughts. The moment I joined them, everything changed. Hearing good advice from their training has opened up so many opportunities for me, thanks to God. I feel joyful now and no longer alone.
“Joining this group has brought so many good things. We sing, we study God's word with joy, and my shyness and loneliness have gone. I'm full of strength and happiness now, and I’m not sad.”
Jennipher Sakala, head of Tearfund’s Transforming Communities programme in Africa, adds: “Valerie’s story is one of courage and transformation. Now that she can read and write, her children are more likely to get an education too, an opportunity has been opened up for the whole family that will hopefully benefit future generations.
“But there are many more mothers like Valerie who need our help. This Christmas, we’re asking people to give families around the world the chance for mothers to be healthy, for children to have hope, and communities to rebuild their lives through education.”
Donations to Tearfund’s Christmas Appeal will support vital programmes all over the world like these to help women lift their families out of poverty.
Gifts to Tearfund's Christmas Appeal could have twice the impact for women around the world, thanks to a group of generous supporters who have offered to match every pound given to this appeal – up to £500,000 until 31 December 2025.
To give, visit www.tearfund.org/christmasappeal25
ENDS
Notes to editors
For further information contact Melissa Barnston on 07929 335 146 or email [email protected]g. For out of hours media enquiries: 07929 339813 or [email protected].
About Tearfund
Tearfund is a Christian relief and development agency and a member of the Disasters’ Emergency Committee. Founded in 1968, Tearfund has been working around the world for 50 years responding to disasters and helping lift communities out of poverty. For more information about the work of Tearfund, please visit www.tearfund.org.
