Alleviating poverty
Although the UK is a very wealthy country compared to many others, research has shown that there are people who are malnourished because they cannot afford enough food. Other people are living at risk of malnutrition.
The Christian faith teaches that people have a responsibility to help those living in poverty. They can do this in many ways, including directly helping people they know are living in poverty or helping charities such as Christian Aid.
For many Christians donating or working voluntarily for a charity is an important part of their faith.
Charity work
Many Christians support the work of charities in LEDCLess economically developed country (LEDC) has low levels of development, based on economic indicators, such as gross domestic product (the country's income)..
CAFOD
CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) is the Catholic aid agency for England and Wales, and works with poor communities in LEDCs to end poverty and injustice. The organisation helps people of all religions, not just Christians.
CAFOD works in over 40 countries. Its work focuses on sustainable developmentEconomic development which meets the needs of the current population without polluting the environment or depleting natural resources. as well as emergency aid and campaigningWorking towards a goal, usually a political one. for change.
Christian Aid
Christian Aid is an example of a Christian charity whose aim is to eradicate poverty. It is a charity, sponsored by many of the Protestant denominations in the UK, that works to end world poverty. It helps both religious and non-religious people and it tackles the causes and effects of poverty.
The charity helps in emergency situations providing food, clean water and shelter necessary for survival. Christian Aid also funds early warning systems so that people can be evacuated from their homes before they are in danger.
Christian Aid is based on many of the Christian values including:
- love and solidarity
- dignity and respect
- justice and equality
- cooperation and partnership
- accountability and stewardship
The Trussell Trust
Many churches will organise food banks where local people who are living in poverty can come and take some food to help themselves and their families to avoid hunger.
The Trussell Trust is a Christian charity that helps people of all religions, as well as those who have no faith at all. Their aim is to end poverty and hunger in Britain by providing help to those in need.
Their mission is inspired by Jesus' words:
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was ill and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
Each year, Trussell Trust food banks in Wales deliver thousands of three-day emergency food packs to those in need. Many of these are provided for children.
Fair trade
Christian Aid and CAFOD helped set up the Fairtrade Foundation in 1992. Both charities believe strongly in the importance of sustainable development to eradicate long-term poverty. The aim of fair tradeTrade in which fair prices are paid to the farmers of products. is to enable farmers to receive a fair price for their produce.
Voluntary service
Some Christians believe that they should help people in poverty directly by visiting LEDCs and being involved in charitable organisations.
Christians Abroad supports volunteers to go abroad and work with children and communities in LEDCs, eg the Rainbow House Children's 成人快手 in Kenya welcomes volunteers through Christians Abroad to work with former homeless street children.
Some Christians titheTo pay a sum of money to support a religious cause; usually one tenth of an individual's earnings. some of their income for good causes and others donate their time, working in a charity shop for example. Some Christian organisations, such as Time for God, help volunteers take time out of their careers or education to help those in need in the UK.