News

The parish of All Saints in Kabega in the Diocese of Port Elizabeth  held a holiday club during the July school holidays. The theme of the holiday club was caring for the Environment. During their songs and memory verses the children learned about caring for God’s creation A photo of the poster  is shared as we cannot share photos of the children

The Young people of Tokoza organised a spiritual hike for the month of September to celebrate Season of Creation They went to Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve and enjoyed being in the beauty of Nature. Their leaders shared Scriptures about the importance of caring for creation and the need to protect nature After the hike they shared some snacks We are grateful for the support of the United Thankoffering for this event!

During October 2022 the community of Jojozi in the Diocese of Grahamstown held a two day gardening course, which was facilitated by Indalowetwu Community project. The two-days course saw 20 participants from the local community being empowered on how to do vermiculture farming, permaculture farming and on to grow and plant own seedlings, the area is one of the most hit by drought and by applying the taught methodologies participants will be able to harvest and put food on their table using less water. The aim of the course was to empower members of the community to start own home vegetable gardens, this would help carp the issues of hunger and malnutrition within families. But also introducing climate smart agriculture which helps with building a resilient community during this hard times of climate change.

 Parish of Umhlali – All Souls’. Anglican Church of Southern Africa Diocese of Natal Food security and Agricultural development are two things that are close to my heart. There are major challenges to overcome in the South African Context, around the stigma of being involved with Agriculture, (especially vegetables) and the lack of resources, access to markets and the ability to develop markets. A complete paradigm shift is required to adequately address these challenges.  The All Souls’ Anglican Church, (Anglican Church of Southern Africa, Diocese of Natal), Soul Foods project, aims to work at understanding and addressing the real issues and building capacity to develop this change of mindset. Farming God’s way is a Gospel tool, not just a farming method, and so is ideal for our purposes. Soul Foods was blessed to receive various funding to re-establish our Garden and conduct training during 2023. Two three-day training workshops were held, and 180 people received training in the Farming God’s Way methodology. Participants saw a working garden in production as well as “Gardens of faithfulness” and active compost making facilities. Learning about soils and how to improve them is a key component of the methodology. Using natural processes and crop rotation, and soil can be built up to produce good quality vegetables.  It is our intention to establish a better follow-up system with ongoing support for projects in our area. Identifying execution gaps can only be effectively done with a well- organized /funded follow up program. The project has been successful, with a lot of learning taking place. Challenges with weather and pests is an ongoing aspect of farming. We are hopeful for 2024 and look forward to training more people and getting more people into the food security mindset.  A drip irrigation system has been put into our main garden and a Jojo Tank was installed (funded by sales). Training is an expensive venture when travelling and catering are accounted for, but well worth it. We firmly believe that this project is worth investing in and are grateful to all our supporters, and the Farming God’s way Trainers. Love and peace. Ven Andrew Manning We are grateful for the support of the United Thank Offering for the training for this project

The Youth Forum on Adaptation Finance in Africa (YOFAFA) was held in Yaoundé Cameroon from the 16th till 18 November 2023. The YOFAFA had  over 200 participants from across the African continent with  2000 attending online. The three-day event started off with a background on the Paris agreement which allowed for participates to understand the background and what climate change adaptation financing is all about. This was  followed by the official opening by the Cameroonian Minister of Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development Mr Hele Piere. The 3 days gathering was not only packed with keynote speakers, but attendees were given hands-on workshops on; How to design and develop bankable projects, Advocacy tool and Media as an Advocacy tool. During our sessions it was clear that youth voices from across the continent remain united in demanding that the finances should reach local communities. In order to build climate resilient communities there is a need for a space for innovative thinking by Africans for Africans.   It is also vital that   generational indigenous knowledge be passed on to the new generation. Young people were also encouraged to invest their time in doing more research on the demands. They must continue to make sure that  they take ownership of them and understand them from their own contexts.  What they say matters and they should not just become part of the “renta-crowd” At the end of the 3 days Mr Hele Piere received the Yaoundé declaration which attendees had put together. As the whole world looks towards COP28, young people are calling for a doubling of  Climate adaptation funds in order to  build resilient communities. The Statement can be found here;  https://yafafrica.acsea54.org/african-youth-call-for-urgent-action-on-climate-change-adaptation-financing/ From the above call by young people, we can confirm that African youth are clear on the  demands that are being  made. Young people continue  their generational battle of being included at all stakeholder levels. They state that  climate finance which comes as loans should be rejected as this becomes a generational curse. It is our prayer and hope that all those going to Dubai for COP28 will remember the pain which many of our communities continue to suffer due to climate change. At t the centre of what we demand is Justice for our people.  Bino Makhalanyane

Farming as a small business training in Diocese of Zululand The Diocese of Zululand held 9 days of gardening training during August and September 2023 at three venues, oPhongolo,(St Aidans Nongoma)  Ugu (holy Cross, Empangeni)  and Isandlwana (christ the King Nqutu) A total of seventy seven people attended the training, which included both theory and practical/ The training was quite varied and much appreciated by the attendees! They covered the following: farming chickens (broilers), Growing spinach and cabbage (sowing and pest control), tillage of yellow maize Business skills were not forgotten  which included pricing and company registration The parishes generously provided teas and lunches   A WhatsApp Group wase opened so that information will be easily shared. The facilitators took details of those who are already practicing commercial farming in its various categories in order to help them find means such as funding in order to gain more experience and exposure and eventually venture into the business industry.  A proposal aimed at relieving the financial strain in the diocese through planting will be made and submitted to the Bishop. A promise to award certificate to those who attended fully for three days was made. This has to be in consultation with the Bishop.   Revd W.S.M. Nkosi (Diocesan Coordinator for Environmental Ministry We are very grateful for the grant from the Provincial Green Anglicans from the United Thank Offering for this important project