Summer of Hope

What do those words mean to you?

Here in the UK, my personal opinion is that many of this population hope that this summer the economy continues to improve. Along with that, Many people will hope that their own financial position will improve.

The rate of inflation has fallen, but not the prices which remain high. Please do not confuse the two things. It is unlikely that with perhaps a few notable exceptions, prices will remain high. But what is a high price?

In some countries people who make or supply things that we moan about the price of, cannot afford to buy the things they export to us.

In places in Africa, Like the Democratic Republic of Congo, what we in the UK consider poor or in poverty, would be considered comfortably off. They would be able to feed a family and send children to school.

The Mothers’ Union (MU) Summer of Hope Campaign aims to help at least some of these women. Many women in African countries are illiterate. An initiative of the MU is to improve literacy and numeracy amongst women. This in turn helps them understand some basic business and agricultural skills.

Where this has already been tried it has lead to improvements in living standards for many African women and their families. Some have started small businesses. In UK terms, maybe they’d be considered micro business. But this tiny business raise women’s independence and reduce dependence. Their children are healthier and once they have a small business, after some time they are often able to expand their business. This in turn helps not only their own family but frequently their villages as they are able to offer work to other women, so supporting more poor families.

This 2024 Summer, the Mothers’ Union wants to build on their work that is already helping transform the lives of women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa.

AFIA

Away From It All

60 happy people from Swindon on their way to Weston.

Regular readers will be aware of my membership of the Mothers’ Union (MU), though I’m not a mother. Indeed not even female. As usual this post is a personal point of view, not an official MU article.

In January and February of 2023 YouGov conducted a survey on the basis of what should living standards be like for people on benefits, minimum wage and average income. The way the question was phrased was ambiguous. A second survey by YouGov, commissioned by Carnegie UK asked clearer questions. The Resolution Foundation’s Living Standard report in 2023 largely corroborated Carnegie’s findings.

Carnegie’s survey indicated that in 2023 two thirds of parents had trouble taking part in leisure activities with their children. This included taking the children away on holiday.

Before the pandemic and in the cost of living crisis about a third of families had no annual holiday. They could not afford one. This is where the Mothers’ Union (MU) can sometimes help, at least a few families.

The Away From It All, or AFIA scheme aims to give families without much hope of a holiday or day out help by taking them somewhere for a break. AFIA is a Mothers’ Union holiday scheme, primarily funded by MU members, to give the opportunity of a break to those who may be experiencing stress, money troubles or difficulties in their family life.”

Here in Bristol, the MU’s AFIA project has taken local families on visits to the seaside at Weston-Super-Mare. In 2023 we were able to supply 5 coaches and give families comprising 126 parents/carers and more than 170 children a day at the seaside. This year, 2024, we are planning to provide 6 coaches for a similar number of families.

MU doesn’t make a charge for the trips but, does require a £5.00 deposit. Deposit! But you don’t charge you say. Well we don’t. The deposit is returned on the coaches, on the way to Weston-Super-Mare. It is simply a way of helping reduce the drop-out-rate by incentivising people to show up to get their deposit returned.

Would you or someone you know benefit from a day out? You can apply or nominate someone by following this link to the MU website. Scroll down the page until you see “How To Apply”, or ask a local MU member to put you in touch with the AFIA scheme coordinator for your area.

RISE UP

A Poem for the RISE UP campaign.

The RISE UP campaign by the Mothers’ Union aims to keep awareness of domestic abuse in the public eye 365 days a year. It is particularly relevant now as we prepare for the 16 Days of Activism campaign during November and December.

In 2023 the campaign will start on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. It will run until 10 December, Human Rights Day.

The campaign against gender based violence was started by members of the Women’s Global Leadership Institute in 1991 and is supported by the United Nations (UN) and by the Mothers’ Union.

Respond don’t ignore abuse, you can’t let it pass,
Inform someone who can help them at last,
Support those who suffer often in silence,
Empower them to leave and find a safe house,
Unite those who’ve suffered with aid to be safe,
Pray for them always for help by God’s Grace.

Mary Sumner Day

This week’s post will be on Wednesday 9th August, to coincide with Mary Sumner day, the commemoration of the founder of the Mothers’ Union.