The Diocese of Rochester Poverty and Hope Appeal is our annual fundraising opportunity to express our Christian belief injustice for the poor. Through the appeal, we show our commitment to tackling the causes and effects of poverty in different parts of the world.
Despite the problems and restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 Appeal raised a fantastic £25,550 for the Appeal’s chosen projects. Thank you!
Now Bishop James and Bishop Simon invite you support this year's appeal.
Poverty and Hope Appeal – 2021
The 2021 Poverty and Hope Appeal has now been launched. Bishop James writes:
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works…” This past year we have seen the injustices of our world all too clearly, exacerbated by the global pandemic that has left no one unaffected.
"Here in Rochester Diocese, our Poverty and Hope appeal is one way that we look to right the wrongs that we see.”
This year's Appeal is supporting four projects:
MALAWI: helping farmers adjust to climate change with drought-resistant crops. A new project for this Appeal.
SRI LANKA: advocacy, intervention, and rehabilitation for children who have been traumatised through experiences of exploitation and abuse. Support began in 2018, and the project builds on our diocese’s commitment to help the Church of England’s work to support victims of modern slavery and exploitation.
ZIMBABWE: tackling HIV/ Aids stigma across four dioceses in Zimbabwe, including our companion diocese of Harare. Supported since 2018.
KENT: exploring with young people global crisis issues linked with poverty, injustice, and climate change, working through Commonwork at Bore Place, an educational charity. Common work also works with young people with disabilities and learning difficulties to develop their skills and confidence, and with schools in high deprivation, areas to tackle the rise in obesity. Receives long-term support.
Follow this link to find out how to make a donation and, if you wish, gift aid it.
Share awareness of the appeal
We've created a range of materials to help you share details of the Appeal with others:
The Appeal has been raising money since 1977 to help eradicate poverty in the UK and abroad. It aims to do this by supporting national and international projects that focus on core issues that lie at the heart of poverty:
agriculture
education
empowerment of disadvantaged people and communities, and
healthcare.
It also seeks to foster education about these issues in the Diocese, working with schools on issues of global citizenship and encouraging churches, schools and communities to learn more about the causes of poverty and how it can be tackled around the world.
An Appeal starts in May each year and we make a distribution to the projects supported in the July or August of the following year. We have delayed the launch of the 2021 Appeal until June 2021 due to continued difficulties linked to the COVID-19 pandemic.
How we support projects
Projects are usually supported for three years, to help them grow and become self-sustaining. They are funded through partner charities with which we work to identify suitable opportunities, and which provide checks that the funds are properly applied.
Projects like the USPG initiative tackling HIV and AIDS stigma in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe is one of the countries hardest hit by HIV and AIDS globally. This is Elizabeth's story:
“My husband got sick in 2004 and his health continued deteriorating. Our family doctor advised us to go for an HIV test but we were very much afraid. After three days we made up our minds and went for the test. During the two weeks, it took waiting for the results my health also started deteriorating. The results came back positive and we had to buy medicine. We decided to tell our relatives and there was a big problem of stigma during that time. My husband’s health than improved but I was sick for almost 10 years. I suffered from mental stress and had continuous counseling that made me feel better.
I was invited to a meeting of the Ascot Wellness Support Group by the Anglican focal person. After the meeting, I decided to join the group as I saw it would be worthwhile. They’re very supportive. Before, I was self-stigmatizing, but now I feel that I’m someone when among other people. I’m no longer shy about going out and am happy to share my status.
Because of the support we give each other at the group I have also managed to continue growing my kitchenware business. At the moment, I’m renting space in one of the shops at Ascot Shopping Centre. When people visit my shop I want them to see a successful business person and not a person living with HIV. I told our focal person that I am one of the role models ready to testify that you can live so many years with the virus.”
Supporting the Poverty & Hope Appeal
We are very grateful for the support from churches and individuals given in 2020. Despite all the difficulties and restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, we were delighted by the generosity shown by so many people.
We hope that this support will grow in 2021 as we continue to help the most disadvantaged and give them the opportunities and assistance to move out of poverty, even while the situation remains so uncertain.
You can support us financially by giving to the Appeal and encouraging your church to give – details below. We would also be very grateful for your support in prayer, for the projects, the organisations that run them, and the communities they support.
We will be delighted to provide speakers for churches, church groups, or school assemblies subject to any prevailing Covid-19 restrictions. Please contact the Appeal Coordinator (details below). The 2021 Appeal is again being run as internet only and we cannot provide hard-copy resources.
Make a donation
We know that the pandemic has greatly affected many members of our communities and that you yourself may be struggling. However, if you are able to do so please support the Poverty and Hope Appeal in whatever way you can. We have broadened the ways you can donate.
E-banking: You can make a donation by e-banking to the following account: Rochester Diocesan Society and Board of Finance, sort code 20-54-29, account 90760099.. In the reference box, please put P&H so we can correctly allocate the money to the Poverty and Hope Appeal, and something to identify your church (or nothing if you wish your donation to be given anonymously). Please email povertyandhope@gmail.com if you need more details.
Give.net: You can donate by card via https://www.give.net/povertyandhope/fundraising. You can also gift aid your donation if you are a qualifying UK taxpayer. Give.net is part of Stewardship, a Christian charity that supports Christian giving.
Cheques: please make out to ‘Rochester DBF’ with ‘Poverty and Hope Appeal’ on the back and send them with any completed gift aid envelopes to Finance Team Rochester Diocese, St Nicholas Church, Boley Hill, Rochester ME1 1SL.
You may increase the value of your giving by gift-aiding your donation. This allows us to reclaim the tax relating to your gift. Please download and fill inthe attached form and return it with your donation to the Rochester Finance Team at the address above. If you would like to receive details of the gift aid scheme or how to make your donation by standing order please do contact us at povertyandhope@gmail.com.
Contact Us
Peter Kettle has taken over the role of Appeal Coordinator from Debbie Cooper. You can contact Peter at
Appeal Coordinator, Poverty and Hope,
12 The Beeches,
Sole Street, Cobham
Gravesend
DA13 9BT
Tel: 01474 813632
Email: povertyandhope@gmail.com
“My husband got sick in 2004 and his health continued deteriorating. Our family doctor advised us to go for an HIV test but we were very much afraid. After three days we made up our minds and went for the test. During the two weeks, it took waiting for the results my health also started deteriorating. The results came back positive and we had to buy medicine. We decided to tell our relatives and there was a big problem of stigma during that time. My husband’s health than improved but I was sick for almost 10 years. I suffered from mental stress and had continuous counseling that made me feel better. 
We are very grateful for the support from churches and individuals given in 2020. Despite all the difficulties and restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, we were delighted by the generosity shown by so many people.
