History
of Kennington Overseas Aid
David Butler
HOW DID IT START?
Every
year since 1969 people suffering ill health, poor water supply, lack of
education or devastation through war somewhere in the world have been
helped to overcome their deprivation through the efforts of Kennington
people and supporters of the village's overseas aid fundraising events.
So far over £330,000 has been raised.
It all began a year
earlier when members of the three village churches came together in
small study groups to debate the question 'Who is my neighbour?' The
purpose was to bring an understanding that, as well as those living
near us, our neighbours were those of the world and that those in
serious need deserved our help.
From the conclusions of the
Kennington groups came the Good Neighbour scheme, the United Churches
Choir, an inter-church liason group and Kennington Overseas Aid.
In
considering how we should go about helping our overseas neighbours in
need we decided to pack as many trendy and dynamic fund-raising
activities as we could into one week and call it Kennington Overseas
Aid Week. By this means we would, we thought, maximise our publicity
and takings while causing least harm to other fundraising activities in
the village. The first project was the improvement of irrigation and
provision of seed and fertilisers for the village of Otterthotti in Mysore, India.
A target of £60 was set with a fundraising event on each
day of the week, from a sponsored walk, through Scouts' Bingo and
children's sports evening to the Otterthotti hunger lunch on the last
day. Members from all the churches were encouraged to help and the
response was tremendous: Otterthotti Week raised £350! In the following
year the Otterthotti priest, Father Godest, who was in charge of the
work there, came to Kennington to tell us of the practical results of
our work.
From that beginning the annual fundraising efforts in
Kennington have flourished. Many more people have joined and the
purpose, though serious, gives many opportunities for people in the
village getting together and enjoying a great deal of fun.
After a few years of the week we felt that seven
days were too constricting so we now have Kennington Overseas Aid
activities running from Spring to Autumn every year.
We welcome
anyone who would like to help: yes, you will enjoy it as well as making
a worthwhile effort in support of people in need! Just get in
touch with any member - see the contacts page
.
Past projects