Slum Survivor, Catford, October 27, 2007
Full report and pictures coming soon - video below is from BBC London News (Copyright 2007, BBC)
in a nut-shell...
WHAT? A group of youth from Lewisham are building a slum from boxes, wood, plastic sheets & rope. They will live in it, eating only rice and dhal!
WHERE? Right outside Lewisham Town Hall / Civic Suite!
WHEN? This weekend - Sat 27th, 9am – Sun 28th Oct, 9am
WHY? To raise awareness of the 1 billion people worldwide who live homeless or in slums. Also, the volunteer youth have raised their own sponsorship from friends and family to provide support for the homeless in the world.
WHO? The event has been organised by the youth group of Catford Community Church, a family church dedicated to community and social action both here in London and around the world.
a bit more info...
Slum Survivor is a challenge to spend a few days the way a billion spend a lifetime. The idea is that for a short time we’d choose to make the reality of the world’s poor our reality, raising money for change and being changed in the process .
The reality
Around 1 billion people – that’s about one sixth of the world’s population - live in slums. Life in townships, favelas and temporary settlements across the world is hard. Often situated on the outskirts of cities throughout the majority world, these slums are populated by people and families who’ve travelled to urban centres to find work… often unsuccessfully. The everyday normality of life in the UK is alien to the world’s temporary settlements. Running water, electricity, employment, schools and other basic services are rarely present. The cramped conditions mean disease and crime are usually rife. Just as bad is the ‘temporary’ nature of slums. They are often not officially sanctioned government communities and thus ignored on maps and in council policy. The threat of bulldozers tearing down slum settlements is always present.
However, this is life for a mass of people, real people that God loves. Soul Action is working to raise awareness of the issues and generate funds for projects and people serving some of the world’s poorest communities.
The point
Slum Survivor is a simulation experience designed to help connect young people with the lives of some of the world’s poorest. By spending a few days the way a billion spend a lifetime, living in a temporary shelter, eating a limited diet and facing tough challenges and choices you’ll seek to both raise funds and awareness of the poverty and people that live in the world’s slums. Participants in Slum Survivor will get sponsored to take part in the challenge. The money raised will go to the work of Soul Action partner projects working in poor communities throughout the world.
One of the projects that will benefit from money raised through Slum Survivor is based in Zimbabwe. Tearfund have just launched an emergency appeal to bring help to the poorest families affected by Zimbabwe’s spiralling crisis. Many have gone without food for weeks with even basic items unavailable in shops. The World Food Programme has warned that over three million people are at risk of severe food shortages.
However, throughout the weekend, as well as raising money, you’ll also spend time in prayer, reading God’s word, learning about life in temporary settlements and connecting with God’s heart for justice. The idea is that through Slum Survivor we’d be changed but also help change the lives of others too