16 March 2018
Save time, save stress, save a life: don't send as many Christmas cards this Christmas
MRDF launches Christmas appeal to support farmprojects
Last year, people in the UK sent over 2 billion Christmas cards,more than in any other country. This year, to counter the hassle,time and environmental cost of sending mountains of cards, theMethodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF) is asking people tofind a better way of sending their greetings.
Christmas cards provide a great opportunity to send messages toold friends, or catch up with family overseas, but most people alsosend cards to people who live minutes, rather than miles, away. So,MRDF is encouraging people in their churches, workplaces or schoolsto make or buy a single, huge card. The card can be displayed whereeveryone can add a message and enjoy reading each other'sgreetings.
"There's a double benefit: as well as being more environmentallyfriendly, the money saved from buying individual cards can be usedto support MRDF's sustainable agriculture projects in Africa, Asiaand Latin America," said Kevin Fray, MRDF Supporter RelationsCo-ordinator, "With 80% of people in the world's poorest countriesmaking a living from farming or from keeping livestock, farmingmethods that preserve the land are vital for food, health and themeans to make a living."
Agricultural support and training is already making a differenceto many farmers, like Ramanthe in India: "The training I receivedhas helped me to plan. Now we know better how to work the land,rather than simply responding to what happens and to the rainfall.I wish I had received this kind of training years ago and hope thatothers in the village will be able to learn these things too." Withyour help this Christmas, MRDF partners can provide the trainingand resources that can help many more farmers find a way out ofpoverty.
The cost of 10 cards, £3, will pay for 300 plants to start up atree nursery in India.
£6 will pay for 300 pots for medicinal plants in Cameroon.
Saving 50 cards, £15, will pay for 3 bags of cement to help build apiggery in Malawi.
For resources and more information about MRDF's Christmasappeal, visit www.mrdf.org.ukor contact MRDF, 25 Marylebone Road, London NW1 5JR, 020 7467 5132,