These photos depict the story of Chibombo Peoples Climate Action (CPCA) within the last 2 years. The first picture shows the deforestation that spurred Changu on to start the project.The second, planting some of the 20,000 plus saplings they have planted . The third, Moringa trees growing with crops planted in the shade they will offer. Moringa leaves are an excellent fertiliser too
General news from Chibombo
It has been a while since the last blog and lots has happened. We continue to cherish our fabulous supporters.
Sadly, bad news. Changu, the co-ordinator of Chibombo Peoples Climate Action (CPCA), tragically lost her 11 year old daughter, Miriam, who died of malaria on 2nd August. We sent condolences and hold Changu and her family in our hearts and minds as we are sure you will.
In true resilient style, Changu rang me the day after she had returned from the funeral, delighted to show me the magnificent green vegetables that the women have continued growing and selling in her absence.
Changu would like a forest in memory of Miriam. This may be a focus for us in the months ahead - if you would like to set up a standing order in memory of Miriam, there are details below
From fundraising to action
The cream tea fundraiser in June, raised well over £1500. This was immediately translated into equipment and seeds. The main item purchased was the solar pump which will ensure that crops can be watered, enabling growing during the dry season
CPCA requested further funding. This was for a range of reasons; items that they did not realise they would need when they submitted the initial bid, because of price increases and a cold winter leading to changes in what it was suitable to plant. Thanks to the amount raised by the fundraiser we hope we will manage to meet these costs (subject to exchange rates and prices) and they will receive the funding in the next few days.
The Women's group have moved now from the plot they were renting to the plot they bought with help from Whalley Range Climate Action Group. They asked for funding to purchase some metal bars for fencing. Their original intention was to move the wooden poles from the old site to the new site but three quarters of the poles they used last year had green shoots so they rightly chose not to uproot them. A dire lack of wood means they need to buy poles for fencing. -
Organising ourselves
Delighted with the interest and support offered around the cream tea fundraiser we set up Friends of Chibombo! For now this is a supporters Whats App group - we will warmly welcome any help you can offer to raise funds and/or find new supporters. if you would like to become a friend and join the Whats App group, please text Judith - 07792 690 278. It will also be a good way of finding out when there is a new blog on this website.
Jane Ward, Mary Kenny, Francis Creighton and Judith Emanuel are the newly formed UK Advisory Group for CPCA. The group will be responsible for financial governance. They will look at bids, make decisions and provide accountability to donors as well as think through how to support CPCA.
Where do we go from here?
Changu knows it is now vital to formalise CPCA as an organisation. Once that is in place we would like to raise enough money for overheads for 2-3 years to ensure they can get established. For that we will need regular donations.
If you are able and would like to make a one off or regular donation, please make BACs donations to: ​ Account name: Whalley Range Climate Action Group (WGCAG) Sort code: 010202 Account number: 21744513 Reference: Chibombo ​ All monies donated will be passed on directly to Chibombo Peoples Climate Action, apart from any costs associated with donations. There are no direct costs associated with BACs donations to you or to the accountholder. Please note that neither Whalley Range Climate Action Group or Chibombo Peoples Climate Action are formally registered as charities. For enquiries related to donations, please contact Judith - 07792 690 278
If you would like your donation to go specifically to rember Miriam, please say in your emial and we will put it on one side until we have agreed a project.
You can still buy our lovely cards - see https://chibomboclimate.wixsite.com/website-1/post/eyecatching-cards-for-sale
Thanks so much for your interest - please stay in touch