Cardinal Newman School in Hove go On The Move for Refugees and Migrants

Year 8 students in Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove had a taste of life as a refugee family recently.

A team of three CAFOD School Volunteers, occasionally aided by Martin from the A&B CAFOD office, led three workshops a day for four days in the school as part of its Enrichment Week.

The ‘On the Move’ activity takes students through the journey of a refugee. They think about home and then have to leave because of a war entering their neighbourhood. Students have to choose which belongings to take with them, and then head off on their journey. They encounter several difficulties such as having to split up from their families and use their most valuable item to pay for transport, at each stage having to decide what or who is most important to keep.

Jacqueline, CAFOD School Volunteer, about to Share the Journey with the students

The students get very involved in the discussions with fellow family members, debating what’s more important – a passport or water bottle, a mobile phone or a plastic sheet?

After reflecting on the journey students went on a journey of their own, walking through the forest and reflecting on the real stories of various refugees. These miles are being added to the on-line totaliser for our Share the Journey Campaign. We have been asking you to walk around the world (29,500 miles) but you’ve been so supportive we’ve now walked three times around the world (78,064) and we’re heading for a fourth time round.

Share the Journey cards helped us reflect on the stories of refugees.

Students then had a chance to join in with our Share the Journey campaign, asking Prime Minister Theresa May to ensure global agreements on refugees and migrants uphold their rights and dignity.

The days were a big success and Cardinal Newman teachers were hugely helpful in harnessing and directing the energy of the pupils for the exercise. Our thanks go to Jacqueline, Kay and Bernadette our team of school volunteers for their tireless energies. Thanks also to the staff at Cardinal Newman for their help and the students for their enthusiasm and compassion for people on the move.

If you would like a visitor to your school, or would like to become a CAFOD Schools Visitor, then please do get in touch: arundelandbrighton@cafod.org.uk 01483 898 866.

Young Leaders in Arundel and Brighton Schools

Congratulations to all our Young Leaders who have completed our Young Leadership programme this year.  Year 12 students from St Peter’s in Guildford and Salesians School in Chertsey travelled to CAFOD Head Office in London for their last session. They found out about our Share the Journey campaign, took part in a Share the Journey walk, and celebrated everything they’ve achieved.

During the last six months, 50 sixth formers from our diocese and Portsmouth Diocese have learnt about CAFOD’s vision, mission and values, explored different issues of social justice and received leadership training in communication skills, planning and project management.

St Peter’s students, Head Teacher, Chaplain and Bishop Richard before they set off on their fancy-dress Share the Journey walk part-organised by our Young Leaders.

In between the training sessions they’ve been putting their knowledge and skills into practice by organising fundraising activities, taking campaigning actions, delivering assemblies and encouraging others to learn more about CAFOD’s work. This term the young leaders have helped arrange Share the Journey walks in the schools to help us walk more than twice around the world.

Sarah leads the training

It was a great day of celebration of all that the young leaders have achieved and all the time, energy and effort they’ve given to support CAFOD’s work.

Thank you so much to all the young people who’ve journeyed with us this year and our special thanks to all their teachers and staff who have supported them. We really appreciate all your help.  We’re already looking forward to next year! If you would like your school to join our leadership training for Year 12s next year then please do get in touch as there are still places for one or two schools.

arundelandbrighton@cafod.org.uk 01483 898 866.

Mass, CAFOD and Coffee in Fetcham

The Parish of Effingham and Fetcham hosted a lovely morning starting with weekday Mass followed by tea, coffee, cake and biscuits and hosted a visit by Martin from CAFOD Arundel and Brighton.

The Mass, offered by Fr John Inglis at the Holy Spirit in Fetcham, set off the day in a prayerful and joyful way, after which we had a decade of the rosary and then went through to the hall to enjoy hot drinks and lovely cakes.

Martin reminded us of the story of CAFOD – how a group of Catholic women came up with the idea of Family Fast Day to raise money for a Mother and Baby group on the Island of Dominica.

CAFOD’s founders

We also touched on the different types of work that CAFOD does – Emergencies Relief, Advocacy, Long Term Development always working with and supporting our partners – trusted organisations working to combat poverty in their own communities.

We looked at the great work of our education volunteers, our MP Correspondents and all our wonderful volunteers.

We looked at our current campaign, Share the Journey, how people can walk in solidarity with refugees and migrants and ask our Prime Minister to push for international agreements which uphold their rights and dignity.

Martin speaking with the gathering in Fetcham

‘It was such a warm welcome,’ says Martin from CAFOD A&B. ‘The parish were warm, chatty and had lots of good questions and enthusiasm. It’s so nice to be able to visit parishes and groups like this and I’m so grateful for Chris and Moira, our Parish Volunteers, who organised the event and brought people together.