Songs and Stories of Hope in PEI
The "Songs and Stories of Hope" concert held at St Paul's Church, Charlottetown on June 6, was by all reports a huge success. Over 130 people enjoyed a piano and stories blend presented by Tim Elliott and Judy Maddren, and an amazing $1400.00 was raised for PWRDF partners. View photos
Below is a message from Cheryl Curtis, PWRDF Executive Director, written for the occasion.
Greetings from The Primate's World Relief and Development Fund. It is a distinct pleasure to send you a message tonight as you settle in for an evening of songs and stories of hope in support of the development work of the Anglican Church of Canada. I wish I were there to experience Judy Maddren's words turning a story to touch the heart and to feel Tim Elliott's music reach my hardened places. Stories and music soften, heal, inspire and bring change.
It is significant that you have gathered tonight, not just for songs and stories, but in community for songs and stories of hope. Hope - so much depends upon it. The world depends upon it. It has been the fuel for our work for 50 years.
Hope feeds our vision for a healed and transformed and reconciled world. Hope is what we hold for women who are harmed because they are women - in Mexico, El Salvador, South Africa, Bangladesh, Mozambique, and Canada. We hold hope and create programs for children whose parents have died of HIV and AIDS particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. We hold hope and create
humanitarian response programs for Sri Lankan civilians displaced from their homes due to the civil war and in other parts of the world stricken by conflict or natural disasters. We hold hope and create education programs so that Canadian voices will speak truth to our government about the fulfillment of rights around the world. PWRDF holds hope and creates programs for people around the world who need their human dignity recognised and clean water, nutritious food, healthcare, economic opportunities, refuge.
Our way of working is partnership. PWRDF partners with a local community to reach its aspirations for the people of its community around the world and we partner with local Anglican parishes in Canada to achieve it. Elizete is part of a group with whom we are creating a growing micro-finance system for women in Mozambique. She describes her experience of partnership with PWRDF in this way: partnership is a collaboration to achieve a common goal to transform an unacceptable reality. She adds that it is based on a principle of love. And that is powerful work.
For 50 years PWRDF has been changing lives, changing communities, and changing the world. Join us.
In joy and struggle, PWRDF responds to emergencies, engages in development work, works to protect refugees, and educates and advocates for change. We are committed with partners in many places to the creation of a more just and peaceful world.
The message of our 50th anniversary is simple "In Faith. Join Hands. Inspire Hope."