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WANTED — Volunteers to help eat an Elephant!
SOLEMN PROMISE:
NO ELEPHANTS ARE HARMED IN ANY WAY BY THIS PROJECT!
Some of us at St John’s have been helping to raise funds for an ambitious self-help project in Zambia:
The Past: Four years’ fundraising has channelled many thousands of pounds through the United Church of Zambia to establish numerous self-sustaining projects throughout Zambia, projects such as small businesses, agriculture ventures, development of a microloan system, etc. Such work has offered opportunities for individuals/families and communities to assume control over their own well-being and livelihood, with dignity and hope for the future.
The Future: The need to create a permanent source of income generation within Zambia itself in order to ensure that such work can be continued and expanded through the endeavours of the Zambian people themselves and without looking to the West for indefinite support.
The Present: A commitment to raise £200,000 to build an executive guesthouse in Eastern Province of Zambia, providing employment, much-needed facilities for the slowly, but steadily, developing local economy and a comfortable base for encouraging tourism. The intention is that all profits will be ploughed into social outreach work, offering further opportunities for self-sufficiency. The land is available, the architect’s plans drawn up — all that is lacking is the finance!
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A simple tale, but enough to bring a body out in a cold sweat in the middle of the night if contemplating the size of the commitment! That is until the old question “How do you eat an elephant?” pops into mind. Answer: “One bite at a time.” Eureka!
Instead of trying to consume this huge project in one £200,000 gulp, with the help of 20,000 ‘friends’ taking a bite of £10, or better still 200,000 ‘friends’ nibbling away for £1, this elephant will be easily digestible.
And anyway, it’s much more fun to eat in company than to dine alone! So, given enough time and stamina, we can and will be able to chew a way slowly through this whole elephant.
It’s hard to believe that just a tiny snack for you and me can literally make the difference between survival or otherwise for so many of our Zambian brothers and sisters. Is there anyone out there who would care to dine with us and help us eat this “elephant”?
This article is adapted from one written by former curate of St John’s, Rev. Chris Clements, who now works in Zambia.
If you would like to help, no matter how small your contribution, please contact
Mrs Pat Spencer
c/o St. John’s in the Fields Vicarage,
Hellesvean
St. Ives TR26 2HG
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