GCSE RE

Poverty and wealth • Faith responses • The work of CAFOD

Section one: Poverty

The world is a place of inequality. More than a third of people live on less than one pound a day.* Wealth is not shared equally; while in the developed nations we have plenty, many suffer and go without. We are all responsible. We can all help to change the world.

CAFOD is working for a better world for everyone, a world where resources are equally shared. Ending poverty will stop the needless death of millions of children. It will also make the world a safer place, as inequality often leads to anger and conflict.

“ Do not honour Jesus here in church clothed in silk vestments and then pass him by unclothed and frozen outside.St John Chrysostom (347-407) ”

Telya, 12, lives in Nigeria. Telya and her community now have clean water, thanks to filters provided by CAFOD. In this simple but effective way, CAFOD is helping break the cycle of poverty.

Fact box QuestionsOver to youl 98% of the world’s hungry people live

in developing countries

l Life expectancy in Europe is 77 years, in sub-Saharan Africa it is 55 years

l 69 million primary school-aged children don’t go to school

l Every 20 seconds a child dies from dirty water and poor sanitation

l The chance of women dying in pregnancy in sub-Saharan Africa is 1 in 30. In the developed world it is 1 in 5,600

Knowledge1. Describe three causes

of poverty.

2. Give three examples of inequality in the world.

Understanding3. What do you think

is meant by the ‘poverty trap’?

4. How could you break the cycle of poverty?

Evaluation5. Why do you think there

is such inequality in the world?

6. What do you think Christians should do about inequality in the world?

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* World Bank, 2009

Nigeria

Section one: Poverty

QuestionsOver to youKnowledge1. What is meant by the

term ‘aid’?

2. Explain how natural disasters increase poverty.

Understanding3. How can fair trade

help to end poverty?

4. Why do natural disasters have more impact in poorer countries?

Evaluation5. Which causes of

poverty would be the easiest to change? Explain how you would turn this situation around.

6. How do you think Mozambique could start to break this cycle of poverty?

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Trade Rich countries make poor countries lower their import taxes and trade barriers in order to force their goods in. This drives native farmers and industry in poor countries out of business because the imports can be sold at a lower price than their goods. Unfair trade rules mean poor people don’t benefit from world trade.

Debt Many developing countries take loans from developed countries and must repay more than they borrowed. Some debts have now been cancelled, enabling those places to spend more on education and health, but the world’s poorest 128 countries still owe over £2.5 trillion.

Health issues Poorer countries lack money for health care, clean water, sanitation, job opportunities and health education, so epidemics can spread. Of the 2.7 million new HIV infections in 2010, 70 per cent were in Sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria accounts for a fifth of childhood deaths in Africa, despite being preventable and curable.

Conflict Poor families grieving for loved ones killed in conflict must also cope without the additional food and income that person once provided. Wars make a country unstable and business and agriculture suffer. Government money pays for the war, rather than essentials like health and education.

Natural disasters Poorer countries cannot afford the good roads, buildings and other systems that would lessen the impact of an earthquake, tsunami or other natural disaster. Clearing up and helping people recover from disaster costs money and further damages economies.

Mozambique:causes of povertyMozambique in Africa is one of the least developed countries in the world. Why does nearly half the population live below the poverty line?

1. Long years of war have broken down the country’s infrastructure (roads, housing, services and economy).

2. In 2009, 11.5 per cent of the adult population was living with HIV.

3. Mozambique suffers from cyclical droughts and floods, especially in the central and southern regions.

4. Since the war ended in 1992, corruption has not allowed the country to develop at the rate it could, and donors have not always demanded transparent and responsible use of resources.

Need for world developmentEveryone should have a fair share of the world’s resources. We need to put our faith into action and tackle the causes of poverty, ensuring:l Enough well-targeted aid (financial help) for poorer countriesl Fairer trade rulesl Cancellation of all unpayable debt for poorer countriesl Education, health programmes and medicines to stop the spread of epidemicsl Increased commitment to protecting our environment

Section two: Church teaching

QuestionsOver to youKnowledge1. The cartoon on page

4 shows part of the biblical story, but what happens next? Look up Matthew 25:31-46 and read the complete version of the parable.

Understanding2. What does the parable

of the sheep and the goats mean? What is Jesus saying about the importance of helping poor people?

Evaluation3. How far do you think

Christians do look after poor people and those in need? Use examples of Christian organisations and individuals who have put this parable into practice.

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Find out moreWhat does the Bible say about being rich and poor? Look up the references below. All of these will be useful in your exam.

You could even do your own cartoon of one of these stories.

Luke 12:16-21

Luke 16:19-31

Acts 4:34-37

John 10:10

Luke 12:33-34

James 2:15-17

Exodus 22:22

Psalms 41:1

Isaiah 58:9-10

1. When the Son of Man comes in glory … all the nations will be gathered before him and he will separate the people.

2. As a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, he will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

3. The King will say to those on the right … take your inheritance … For when I was hungry you fed me,

4. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,

5. I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me,

6. I was sick and you looked after me,

7. I was in prison and you visited me. 8. Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty, a stranger? When did we clothe you? When did we see you sick or visit you in prison?

9. The King will reply, ‘I tell you in truth, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

Section two: Church teaching

QuestionsOver to youKnowledge1. What is Catholic

Social Teaching?

2. What does Catholic Social Teaching say about wealth and poverty?

Understanding3. Why does Catholic

Social Teaching regard poverty as an injustice?

Evaluation4. How important do

you think Catholic Social Teaching is in shaping the actions of Catholics? What else shapes their views about wealth and poverty?

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Debate:

Catholic Social Teaching is an important part of the Catholic faith. It is founded in scripture and includes statements and letters written by popes or bishops. It shows how Catholic faith can guide our responses to modern day issues. Catholic Social Teaching inspires CAFOD, and many Catholics, to put faith into action.

Can Christians be rich?

Read Luke 14:33Jesus was friends with rich people like Joseph of Arimathea and tax collectors. He was also friendly with beggars and poor people. Some Christians are very wealthy. Do you think this is acceptable? Try to consider both sides of the argument.

“ God has made the earth and all that it contains for all to share. The earth’s goods must be divided fairly and this right of everyone to a just share comes first. All other rights must help, not block, this basic right of every human being.

From para. 22 of This is progress, a translation of Populorum Progressio by Pope Paul VI.

”

“ The universal common good is violated if there are places anywhere in the world where basic needs like clean water, food, shelter, health care, education and livelihood are not available to all or if the rights and dignity of all are not respected.

From The Common Good, by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, 1996

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“ The more we strive to secure a common good corresponding to the real needs of our neighbours, the more effectively we love them. Every Christian is called to practise this charity…

From para. 7 of Charity in Truth, a translation of Caritas in Veritate by Pope Benedict XVI

”

“ A consistent theme of Catholic Social Teaching is the preferential option for the poor. Today, this preference has to be expressed in worldwide dimensions, embracing the immense numbers of the hungry, the needy, the homeless, those without medical care, and those without hope.

From para. 42 of On Social Concern, a translation of Sollicitudo Rei Socialis by Pope John Paul II

”

“ The promotion of justice is at the heart of a true culture of solidarity. It is not just a question of ‘giving one’s surplus’ to those in need… it requires above all a change of lifestyles, of models of production and consumption, and of the established structures of power, which govern societies.

From para. 58 of The One Hundredth Year, a translation of Centesimus Annus by Pope John Paul II

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Section three: All about CAFOD

QuestionsOver to youKnowledge1. When and how did

CAFOD begin?

2. What type of work does CAFOD do?

Understanding3. What do you think

motivates the work of CAFOD?

4. Explain how CAFOD is funded – where does the money come from?

Evaluation5. Why do you think it is

important that CAFOD is careful with the money it receives?

6. “The work of CAFOD is not charity, but justice.” Discuss.

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1960A group of Catholic women organised the first Fast Day to help mothers and babies in the Caribbean.

1972Ten years on, CAFOD was already supporting 245 self-help projects in 40 countries throughout the world. There were eight full time staff members.

2012CAFOD now employs around 400 staff in the UK and overseas, works in emergencies as well as development, and supports more than 500 partner organisations overseas.

1962After many Catholics took action to support the Caribbean appeal, Catholic Bishops in England and Wales set up CAFOD.

Who are we?

Who do we help?

What do we do?

CAFOD is the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development. We are the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. We are also a member of the Caritas International Federation – a network of Catholic relief and development agencies.

CAFOD’s logo looks like this:

“Just one world” means we are all one global family. The green circle represents the earth held lovingly in open arms.

We help people according to their need, regardless of their race, religion, gender or politics. CAFOD does not just help other Catholics.

We work through our partners in 40 countries in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

CAFOD is involved in:

l Long-term development – helping people bring about change for themselves.

l Emergency response – working with communities before, during and after emergencies happen to ensure they have food, shelter and what they need to survive.

l Work in the UK – raising awareness of the causes of poverty and supporting the rights of oppressed people, through education, fundraising and campaigning.

What is our motivation?

How are we funded?

CAFOD draws inspiration from scripture, Catholic Social Teaching and the experiences and hopes of people living in poverty. We believe that the good things of creation should be shared. Our hope is inspired by faith, that the world can be a place where life can be lived to the full by all.

We have a statement of vision, mission and values. These include respecting the dignity of all individuals and standing in solidarity with people living in poverty.

To find out more visit cafod.org.uk

Two thirds of our funds come from YOU – the Catholic community. In 2010-11, CAFOD received more than £37m from Catholic supporters and through parishes and schools around England and Wales.

CAFOD also gets money from joint appeals with other agencies at times of emergencies.

We also receive funds from the UK government and European government, wealthy individuals and the Caritas International Federation.

We are careful about how we spend the money: 85 to 90 pence in every pound is spent on work that tackles poverty and injustice.

Jacquie Stuyt, one of CAFOD’s founders

Section four: CAFOD at work

QuestionsOver to youKnowledge1. In your own words

explain the following terms: long-term development and emergency response.

2. Write down five possible causes of an emergency.

Understanding3. Explain how an

emergency response can lead to long-term development.

4. What does working in partnership mean?

Evaluation5. Explain why

long-term development is important in breaking the cycle of poverty (see page 2). Give examples to support your answer.

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Long-term developmentLong-term development helps people to help themselves. It is a bit like the proverb:

CAFOD tackles the source of problems that lead to poverty, and helps people to overcome poverty.

We work in partnership with local organisations based in developing countries. We believe local people know how best to tackle the problems they live with every day. CAFOD listens and learns from our partners and helps them to improve their communities.

Here is an example:

In rural El Salvador, our partner the Jesuit Development Service (JDS) helps poor families earn a decent living by learning new skills. When Eliza’s family learned about new farming methods including pig-breeding, they could afford to build themselves a better house.

“ Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime. Anon. China

”

“What gives us satisfaction is to see families have more food to eat and a roof over their heads,” says Erasmo Valiente from JDS. “They’ve also developed skills that will stay with them for life.”

In Eliza’s community - and many others - CAFOD is helping to break the cycle of poverty.

“ CAFOD has never ordered us to do things, but has accompanied us, listened to us and supported us, and we appreciate that.Miguel Marroquin, CAFOD-funded Guatemalan Federation of Community Radio Stations ”

Emergency response

Emergency response is also called humanitarian or short-term relief work. It typically responds to an immediate crisis. The crisis could be caused by war or by an environmental disaster, such as a drought, flood or earthquake. The short-term response is to provide food, clean water and shelter.

CAFOD does not leave once the ‘emergency’ is over. Once people’s immediate needs are met, we fund projects which provide long-term benefits like education and training. We also help communities defend themselves against hazards like drought or conflict. This work is called ‘disaster risk reduction’.

This is Rashida. Her village in Kandikot, Pakistan was engulfed by floods in 2010. Rashida’s brother drowned and the family’s house was destroyed. Our partners provided new temporary housing to help villagers begin to rebuild their lives. Rashida’s aim is to go to school and get an education.

Visit cafod.org.uk to find more examples.

Ask your teacher to show you our “We are CAFOD” film clips with more examples of emergency response and long-term development.

Section four: CAFOD at work

QuestionsOver to youKnowledge1. What work does

CAFOD do in the UK?

2. How does CAFOD use education to raise awareness about poverty?

Understanding3. How do you think

campaigning can make a difference?

4. Write down five ways that you could raise money for CAFOD.

Evaluation5. Why do you think

it is important for CAFOD to explain the importance of its work to the Catholic community in the UK?

6. Find out what a hunger lunch is. How might a hunger lunch help CAFOD’s work?

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EducationWe work with volunteers who visit and speak in schools, youth groups and parishes about CAFOD. We produce resources about international development for schools and provide training for teachers. Our aim is to help people understand the causes of poverty and how we work. Above all, we are inspired by our Christian faith.

CampaigningWe tackle the causes of poverty through action and lobbying. CAFOD campaigners pressurise businesses and governments to work in a fair and ethical way, and create laws which benefit the world’s poorest people.

We research and gather evidence on the global causes of poverty, lobbying decision-makers and getting important issues, like climate change, on their agenda and into the media.

Campaign actions often aim to raise awareness about important issues, but they are also great fun to take part in! CAFOD’s campaigns have fought to ban landmines, reduce debt in developing countries and improve workers’ rights.

“ Campaigning is simply speaking up about issues to influence the people who have the power to change things. There are many ways to campaign but campaigning is most powerful when it unites people, communities and groups so that our message is multiplied. Greg Mulholland, CAFOD campaigner ”

FundraisingMost of our funds come from the Catholic community. This money ensures CAFOD can continue to respond to long-term commitments and emergency needs.

CAFOD began with Fast Days and our annual Lent and Harvest campaigns are still an important time to raise money.

We are always interested to hear about your fundraising events. The most innovative and exciting ideas are displayed on our website.

To find out more about fundraising and how to get involved with our latest campaigns, visit:

cafod.org.uk/greatgeneration

Additional information

Our cover photo features 15-year-old Luis Carlos, his twin sister, Eliana, and his brother, Duvan, 13, who live in Colombia. Five years ago, guerrilla groups forced their family to leave their farm, animals and whole way of life. They had to seek safety, and now live in a shanty-town in Bogotá. Our partner, Pastoral Social, has supported a group of women, including Luis Carlos’ mother, Luz Mila, to start a furniture-making business. Today she makes a small but regular wage and is beginning to improve her family’s life.

Find out more about life in Colombia and the work of CAFOD’s partners by reading What’s the story?

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In Cambodia, together with local partner Development Partnership in Action, CAFOD has been supporting several indigenous communities in the remote forests of Ratanakiri and Mondulkiri. These communities seek to protect the forests and natural resources on which they depend but they are threatened by illegal logging, as well as mining companies and plantation owners that want to move them off their land. Recently, CAFOD and DPA provided photography training to young people from some of these communities. The project has enabled them to document their culture and communicate the issues that are important to them with the world.

Kesna, 29, says, “I’ve enjoyed learning photography and want to take photos of our projects in the future. I will pass this knowledge on to young people in other communities. I am motivated by my work because I believe I can improve the situation for indigenous communities in Cambodia.”

Find out more about Cambodia via the Connect2 blog: connect2cambodia.wordpress.com

Additional information

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David, 44, lives in north-west Kenya. He used to have 300 goats and 120 cows. He says, “Around four years ago, there was conflict and drought as well. Whatever survived the drought was lost during the conflict.” David is now part of a project for agriculture. He is pictured holding carrots grown on his plot. He says, “CAFOD helped us set up farming. We had nothing at the time. The group cultivate together and take turns to work. We get good harvests now and have been able to make profits from the crops we sold. We even opened an account and put some money in the bank. We are using some of the money to cultivate more round here. The rest of the money we were able to share among the members.”

Find out more about our work in Kenya on our website:cafod.org.uk

We organise and take part in many events across England and Wales to campaign on important issues and put our faith into action. Dominic, 16, Colin, 16, Emily, 14, and Grace, 14, from a youth group in Newcastle, were among 50,000 others marching through London at ‘The Wave’, to campaign for climate justice. “This is our chance to stand up for what we believe in and to make an impact.”

Find out more about our current campaigns at cafod.org.uk/ggcampaigning

Additional information

Assa Mucasse in her field in Mozambique. The cyclical drought has had serious effects on the crops she grows. She joined the farming association to learn about drought resistant crops and how to adapt her farming techniques to the lack of rain. She can now grow some vegetables to feed her family. She says that the climate is not how it used to be – droughts used to come every 10 years, but now appear more often.

Find out more about our work in Mozambique on our website:cafod.org.uk

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Pilgrims at the Pilgrimage of the Martyrs in 2011, which is held every five years to remember people who have been killed in their struggle for human rights and social and environmental justice. The event takes place at Ribeirão Cascalheira in Brazil, the town where Jesuit priest João Bosco Burnier was murdered by police in 1976. Thousands of social activists gathered at the pilgrimage to express the Catholic Church’s commitment to human rights and justice.

Find out more about our work in Brazil on our website: cafod.org.uk

Additional information

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Surenthiran and her husband Suriendran, their youngest daughter Suhirthinie, 20, and their grandchildren, outside their house provided by CAFOD partner EHED, in Sri Lanka. The family have had to leave their home three times because of the civil war, in 1988, 1990 and 2007. Our partner EHED has helped Surenthiran’s family during these times.

More recently, parts of Sri Lanka were affected by floods. The generosity of our supporters has helped provide emergency relief, including food, clean water and other vital supplies, for Sri Lankans who have had to leave their homes because of natural disasters or conflict. We have helped to build new houses for many people like Surenthiran, so that they can return to their own villages.

Find out more about our work in Sri Lanka on our website:cafod.org.uk

Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was hit by an earthquake in January 2010. We have worked through our local partners including Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to provide water and sanitation facilities for the many people who lost their homes and have had to move into camps of tents and temporary shelters.

Find out more about our work in Haiti on our website:cafod.org.uk

Teachers– to subscribe to our secondary ebulletin, sign up at cafod.org.uk/secondary

“ You need to do something with your faith. If you believe in making the world a better place, you need to act on what you believe. Do something about it and put your faith into action.

Holly, CAFOD young leader, Portsmouth, 2011”

l Become a young leader – visit cafod.org.uk/greatgeneration

l Tell others about the work of CAFOD. Go to cafod.org.uk/ggspeakup

l Pray for a better world. Go to cafod.org.uk/ggprayer

l Join the campaign – take action. Go to cafod.org.uk/ggcampaigning

l Raise money. For great ideas go to cafod.org.uk/ggfundraising

l Be aware of the environment, be careful with the world’s precious resources

l Buy Fairtrade products – look out for chocolate, bananas, cotton fashions

and lots more!

l Find out what we are doing in your local area – cafod.org.uk/uk

l Set up a CAFOD group in your school or church. Email youth@cafod.org.uk

for details and to let us know what you are doing.

CAFOD, Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB

Pictures: Paul Smith, Islamic Relief, CAFOD, Mohammed Noureldin, Simon Rawles, Emma Clark, Annie Bungeroth, Paul Jeffrey/ACT-Caritas, Caritas Internationalis,Douglas Mansur, Tory Jones, Claudia Torres, Sarah Smith-Pearse, Robyn Fieser/Caritas Internationalis, Lucy Morris, Wilde Fry, George Swift, Kate Stanworth, Thomas Omondi.

Illustrations: Ellis Nadler

CAFOD is the official overseas development and relief agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and part of the Caritas International Federation.

Registered charity no. 285776 CAF2324