The Trump administration’s policy direction since taking office earlier this year has been concerning for many reasons. Among the most concerning and immediately impactful have been their sweeping cuts to foreign aid, which have left international development organizations and the partners they support suddenly without sufficient funding to meet their basic needs. At a time when countries of the Global South are already struggling immensely with adapting to climate change, recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, and coping with economic inequality, they are now left to deal with the added burden of anticipated aid dollars for their life-saving work suddenly not arriving in their bank accounts.
Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF) has been playing a critical role in helping to support partners who are feeling the impact of these devastating cuts. Since 1958, Alongside Hope has been the Anglican Church in Canada’s primary mechanism for channelling the generosity of our parish communities into effective support for global partners carrying out critical development and relief efforts on the ground, all over the world. In this time of great uncertainty for our brothers and sisters in the global church community, it is important that we as Anglicans step up our solidarity efforts and our support for Alongside Hope.
Anglican Grow Hope Campaign: Supporting pastoralist communities in Kenya
Raising money for our global partners is a great way to channel our fear and anger at the state of the world into hopeful and loving action. In the Diocese of Rupert’s Land, we invite you to participate in the Anglican Grow Hope Campaign. We are currently fundraising in support of a project that will build on our partners’ successes in improving food security and increasing resilience among drought-affected pastoralist people in Marsabit County, Kenya. Marsabit County is recovering from the worst drought in 40 years. During the past four years, many of the men in the community have had to migrate with their herds in search of water and pastures, often leaving women and children vulnerable to food insecurity and gender-based violence.
To overcome these challenges, our Alongside Hope partner in Kenya, Church World Service, supports farming households by providing agricultural inputs, securing water sources, and promoting traditional income-generating activities. Projects are funded on a cost-sharing basis so that participants are also investors, increasing the project’s sustainability. Church World Service has also helped community members establish Village Saving and Loan Associations, allowing them to save money together and enhance everyone’s access to funds to improve their livelihoods. With these supports, new crops are being grown, food security has improved, and women report a feeling of empowerment and enhanced self-sufficiency. The project has created a sense of optimism and hope for the future.
Manitoban farmers help grow fundraised dollars
For many years, the Anglican Grow Hope Campaign has been fortunate to have the support of Manitoban farmers who can multiply our fundraising efforts. Farmers direct the proceeds from a portion of their harvest to the campaign. Our parish fundraising efforts cover the cost of farm inputs (approximately $300 per acre), and farmers do all the work to grow, harvest, and sell the crop in support of Alongside Hope. These proceeds are then matched 4:1 by Global Affairs Canada, meaning every dollar you fundraise grows twice!
For the third year in a row, we have partnered with Time to Grow Farms, operated by Fred and Christine Wiebe and family. Time to Grow Farms is located between Oak Bluff and Starbuck. Fred and Christine both grew up on farms in Manitoba and have farmed together for the past 31 years. Two of their sons, Austin and Cooper, have both graduated from the University of Manitoba in Agriculture Studies, and alongside Fred are actively farming.
In 2024, the $18,000 raised by Rupert’s Land parishes enabled the Wiebe family to donate $35,000 from their crop, which was further matched by Global Affairs Canada. We are so grateful for their support — it is a wonderful example of farmers around the world showing solidarity with one another. Thank you for your support, Wiebe family!
How you and your parish can help
Parishes and individuals are invited to show solidarity with our global partners and participate in fundraising for the Anglican Grow Hope campaign this year.
- Make a donation to the Diocese of Rupert’s Land with “Anglican Grow Hope” in the memo line. Both churches and individual parishioners can make donations. Individual donations made directly to the Diocese will receive a tax receipt from the Diocese.
- Hold a fund-raising event and send the proceeds to the Diocese of Rupert’s Land with “Anglican Grow Hope” in the memo line. Get creative! This can even be an opportunity to build relationships with other parishes with a co-hosted event.
Please note that funds raised for Anglican Grow Hope must be directed to the Diocese of Rupert’s Land separately from other Alongside Hope donations.
When your parish becomes a Grow Hope partner, you are helping feed hungry people, growing hope among the world’s most vulnerable. Please show your solidarity with farmers in Kenya and consider joining our Anglican Grow Hope 2025 initiative. We will keep you informed of progress throughout the growing season. Let us continue to Grow Hope even in these challenging times!
