Our Stories

Born out of Tragedy: The Springhill Mining Disaster

carolyn — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 23:46:15 -0400

Springhill, Nova Scotia is located on high ground between the minas Basin and Northumberland Strait, in the Cobequid mountains in Cumberland County. In early records, the town is called "Springhill mines", appropriate because coal mining was the town's bread and butter right into the 1960s due to the coal deposits underlying the town.

Montreal Unit 50th Anniversary Dinner

carolyn — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:20:03 -0500

September 11, 2008

It is always a good time to say thank you and to give recognition to those who contribute to the life of their community. So it was not a difficult decision to make. The Montreal Unit of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund realized that they wanted to begin the 2008-2009 season with a dinner to honour those of its past and to launch the Unit into the next fifty years.

Refugee story rocks House of Bishops

carolyn — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:47:26 -0500

November 4, 2008

A presentation made by a Congolese refugee to the Oct. 30 meeting of the House of Bishops in Niagara Falls, Ont. left many in tears and garnered a standing ovation.

Speaking softly but confidently, Annie Kashamura-Zawadi rocked the House.

"I am your success story," she said. "You were the light at the end of my tunnel. I am proof of how transformative your work is..."

Cobourg resident recalls role in Springhill relief efforts

carolyn — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:53:11 -0500

November 4, 2008
Reprinted from Northumberland Today

Cobourg octogenarian Mary Corbett observed a date last week that was significant to the entire country -- the 50th anniversary of the Oct. 23, 1958, Springhill mining disaster.

The underground earthquake at the Nova Scotia facility was the most severe disaster of its kind in North American mining history in what was then one of the deepest coal mines in the world.

Remembering Springhill

carolyn — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 11:54:59 -0500

October 23, 2008

Fifty years ago today, on October 23, 1958, an underground explosion in a Nova Scotia coal mine trapped 174 men underground. Seventy-five of those men died, leaving the tiny town of Springhill to cope with devastating grief and loss.

Out of that tragedy sprang The Primate's World Relief Fund, as Anglicans and other Canadians moved quickly to help the devastated community. Later re-named The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, PWRDF continues to provide a way for Anglicans across Canada to help those who need it the most.

Behind the scenes with Zaida Bastos, Africa Program Coordinator

carolyn — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:17:28 -0500

Zaida Bastos has been with The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund since 1998, and is currently the Africa Program Coordinator.

Here, Zaida shares what’s in store for 2009 in Mozambique, with exciting news about a new micro-credit institution. Image Gallery.

Among other priorities in 2009, I will be concentrating my efforts on the opening of a new micro-credit institution or “Caixa” for women in Nacala, Mozambique. It promises to be both exciting and challenging.

Honoring the 50th Anniversary at St. Anselm's Church

carolyn — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:17:07 -0500

It is with great joy that I share this brief description of honoring the 50th Anniversary of PWRDF that took place at St. Anselm's Church in Vancouver (photos). The event was incorporated with the 'Reign of Christ' Sunday (23rd November, 2008). The Sunday school children sang 2 songs before they went away to their activities that related to PWRDF- 'A Foot Print'. " I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me drink....' Matt.

Two Refugee Families Sponsored Through 50 Refugee Families Initiative

carolyn — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:36:19 -0500

Two refugee families will soon have new homes in Canada, thanks to sponsoring groups in Edmonton and Ottawa who have agreed to welcome and support them through PWRDF's 50 Refugee Families Sponsorship Program.

In Edmonton, a family of three from Colombia will be welcomed by St. John the Evangelist Anglican Church. In Ottawa, Refuge NOW (NOW = Nepean Ottawa West) will welcome a family of four ethnic Karens from Burma (Myanmar).

50th Anniversary Worship Resource Now Available!

carolyn — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:43:32 -0500

Our new 50th anniversary worship resource is now available online. This resource is designed to be used at almost any point in the church year when a congregation might wish to highlight and promote the work of PWRDF. The resource includes the rite, music resources, sample opening remarks and sermons, and suggestions for ways to complement the resource. To download this and other resources, visit our Resources page.

Postcard from Africa: Cheryl Curtis, Executive Director

carolyn — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:36:47 -0500

After 24 hours of air travel, and a time difference of eight hours, I find myself back in the beautiful land of Kenya with the red soil. Birdsong woke me up at 5:30 just before sunrise. Flowers are in bloom all around and windows are open. I ate breakfast in the garden – fresh mango, banana and pineapple, bread and omelettes.

I am attending the first of five PWRDF partner roundtables that will take place in 2009, during our 50th anniversary year. These sessions with our partners will create a dialogue on development work in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Indigenous communities in Canada.