Baptist youngsters 'fantastic' fundraising effort 

Young people from Eden Church in Penarth have exceeded a fundraising target to help a Ugandan community gain easier access to water

Initially the youth at Eden Church in Penarth aimed to raise £1,000 in six months for the Tearfund ‘One Big Mountain’ project.

But thanks to their amazing efforts, they were able to hand over a cheque for £1,500 last week. Minister Simon Jennings described their efforts as a ‘fantastic achievement’. 

The youngsters of the newly-formed church, which is affiliated to the South Wales Baptist Association, decided at the at the beginning of 2014 they wanted to help raise awareness and provide support for young people in different cultures who were suffering from the effects of poverty in their community.

They were moved by the ‘One Big Mountain’ film that highlighted the struggle of Doreen and Jouvllet in Kabale District, south-west Uganda, which showed how the teenage sisters are forced to complete a two-hour round trip down a mountain to collect 20 litres of water, twice a day. Without it their family would have no water to drink, prepare food or wash with.



They set to work on a number of activities: they baked and sold cakes each week, developed a ‘loom band’ industry, and helped organise and run benefit concerts with the help of Penarth Community Choir and Lewis Merthyr Brass band. These concerts gave them a platform to share about the project and gain the financial support of local residents.

They also encouraged the church to take part in several challenges, one of which was a sponsored walk up Pen-Y-Fan a mountain in the Brecon Beacons national park. To help identify the plight of the girls they encouraged walkers to carry large bottles of water to the top and back.

‘It was a day and a task that everyone who took part won’t forget in a hurry,’ said Simon.

Tearfund director for Wales, Hywel Meredydd, visited Eden Church on Sunday 21 September to receive the funds and thanked the young people for their hard work and support.

Tearfund ensure that more than 90 per cent of funds raised go to the projects they support, assuring that their money will make a difference to the people of the Kabale District. The money will be used to build water storage tanks and spring wells to help make the life of these communities and their young people a much safer and happier place to live.