CAFOD

Catholic Fund for Overseas Development

Saint Wulstan's has an active CAFOD group of over 12 people, co-ordinated by Jon Chadburn (on the left) and Gerry Grant (right).

Meetings

Meetings are monthly and are held on Sunday evenings in member's houses.

Aims

CAFOD campaigns locally on issues relating to world poverty and helps to raise funds to improve the lot of the poor in developing countries. In particular, we have campaigned for the cancellation of Third World debt and an improvement in the environment.

Activities

Within the parish, activities take a variety of forms:

A monthly coffee morning after Sunday Mass
A barbeque and international meal are also arranged most years. These are usually well-supported and accompanied by a variety of music and entertainment.
In recent years we have campaigned to improve the environment in Third World countries, e.g. the urban deprivation in the 'shanty town' of Vila Prudente, Saõ Paulo, Brazil.
To draw attention to the dire conditions people have to live in, and to help raise funds, outside the church, we built an example of the the typical shack
We also do some sponsored swimming, bike riding and the occasional folk music evening.

Interested?

If you are interested in helping CAFOD or would simply like to know more about our local activities, speak to Jon or Gerry after Sunday Mass, or email Gerry Grant
News of recent and planned events
Visit at the CAFOD website.

A Special Project in Uganda

Although not technically connected with CAFOD many people in the parish have also offered support for Kitura Parish in Uganda. Many of us remember the terrible times that Uganda went through under President Idi Amin. Genocide was rife and Christians in particular were targeted. The shrine of the Uganda Martyrs is pictured below.

Since then things have improved, but there is still the threat of terrorism and warfare in the north of the country from the so called "Lord's Liberation Army", and poverty is serious throughout the land. Basic infrastructure such as decent roads, health care and schools is weak, especially in rural areas. Saint Wulstan's Parish has a direct link with Kitura Parish in Uganda, resulting from the visits of Father Primus.

Considerable funds have been raised to improve the parish church, providing concrete flooring that will help to prevent people from contracting a debilitating tropical disease. Added to this a new local primary primary school has been built

The project was conceived by the Isbella and Joe Brayford who courageously visited the parish in Uganda to see things for themselves first hand. After realising the need they discussed with Father Primus how they could help. Supported by their son, Tom, and a number of other people in the parish work got underway. Kathy Keene, in particular, raised a lot money via the sponsored marathons she ran.

Father Primus has recently complete a degree in International Relations at Keele University and returned to Uganda. During his absence, Father Robert and Father Godfrey took charge of the parish and continued the charity work ensuring the well-being of the children.

Many of the children of Kitura parish are orphaned due to war or AIDS, and there is virtually no state support for these young people. Some have just about abandoned hope of an education.

Child Sponsorship

One of our main aims is to support children with their education. The children of the parish cannot go to school unless financial support can be found. Parishioners from Saint Wulstan's and members of the public in the North Staffordshire area sponsor children by donating £8 a month for those in going to primary school and £20 for a child going to secondary school.

Cafod News

Maintained by Gerry Grant & Jon Chadburn

The International Meal

In keeping with the last few years, the International Meal, held on Saturday 10th November 2007, was a resounding success raising more than £250.

News of future cafod events will appear here once they have been organised

Updated 10/04/2007