Local people have a cuppa for Christian Aid

A Christian Aid supporter with links to Lisburn is celebrating the success of communities in Zimbabwe overcoming drought, hunger and extreme poverty, through projects that help them earn a living, such as the growing and harvesting of hibiscus – a plant that can be used to make herbal tea.
By Julie-Ann Spence
Published 24th May 2022, 15:04 BST
L-R, Maura Pringle from St Malachy’s Parish Church in Hillsborough and Frances Francey from Hillsborough Presbyterian Church. Credit: Stephen Hamilton/Press EyeL-R, Maura Pringle from St Malachy’s Parish Church in Hillsborough and Frances Francey from Hillsborough Presbyterian Church. Credit: Stephen Hamilton/Press Eye
L-R, Maura Pringle from St Malachy’s Parish Church in Hillsborough and Frances Francey from Hillsborough Presbyterian Church. Credit: Stephen Hamilton/Press Eye

Canon George Irwin, who served for 27 years as rector of St Mark’s, Ballymacash, raised a cup of tea during Christian Aid Week (May 15-21) to say ‘cheers’ to women farmers like Agnes Machona, who lives in a drought-prone region of Zimbabwe and is now able to earn a living to support herself and her children.

Christian Aid’s local partner in Zimbabwe has helped Agnes to grow and harvest hibiscus flowers because the plant tolerates drought, as well as helping her find commercial buyers for her crop.

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Canon George Irwin, who retired to Sion Mills, County Tyrone in 2016, chaired the Lisburn Christian Aid Committee for 20 years, helping raise many thousands of pounds to support the international development agency’s work with some of the world’s poorest communities.

Canon George Irwin, retired rector of Ballymacash, raised a cup of tea to say ‘cheers’ to women farmers in Zimbabwe, supported by Christian Aid, who are making a living despite poor rainfall, by growing drought-resistant herbal tea. Credit: David RochesterCanon George Irwin, retired rector of Ballymacash, raised a cup of tea to say ‘cheers’ to women farmers in Zimbabwe, supported by Christian Aid, who are making a living despite poor rainfall, by growing drought-resistant herbal tea. Credit: David Rochester
Canon George Irwin, retired rector of Ballymacash, raised a cup of tea to say ‘cheers’ to women farmers in Zimbabwe, supported by Christian Aid, who are making a living despite poor rainfall, by growing drought-resistant herbal tea. Credit: David Rochester

Also cheering on Agnes’ success are Maura Pringle and Frances Francey, Christian Aid representative at St Malachy’s Parish Church in Hillsborough and Hillsborough Presbyterian Church respectively.

All three stood in ‘solidari-tea’ during Christian Aid Week to highlight the agency’s work in eastern Zimbabwe, which has helped 27,000 people cope with poor rainfall - made worse by rising temperatures caused by climate change.

Agnes Machona (37) and her husband have three children. To support the family, her husband works in the construction industry in Botswana while Agnes stays at home to work their farm and raise their children. Severe drought in recent years has caused Agnes’ crops to fail and she recalls a time when there was so little food that she had to cut back to just one meal a day, even though she was breastfeeding.

Across Northern Ireland during Christian Aid Week, thousands of people fundraised and donated to support Christian Aid’s work.

Related topics:ZimbabweLisburnChristian Aid