Bishop Brian scales hill to highlight water poverty

Fortunately, most of us don’t have to climb a hill to brush our teeth in the morning. But that’s exactly what Bishop Brian McGee did to raise awareness of communities around the world in need of clean water.  

Bishop Brian is SCIAF’s Bishop President and cares deeply about poverty and injustice around the world.  

Bishop Brian said: “What can be more unjust that not being able to access clean, safe water? 

“This year our WEE BOX Appeal focusses on just that. In Scotland, we are blessed with some of the finest water in the world. We bathe in it, use it for cooking, and drink as much as we want, whenever we want. We take it for granted that it will always be there.   

“Water is life. But for many, it’s dangerously scarce.   In Ethiopia far too many women, girls and boys still have to walk for hours every day under the scorching sun. This means missed days at school, getting sick from dirty water, and in some places taking their lives in their hands just to reach water. 

“Getting that big sink up the hill was a struggle. It weighed a tonne and it was blowing a hooley, but I just did it once. It’s nothing compared to the daily struggle many have to access clean water.

“Thanks to the generosity of people across Scotland, SCIAF has been funding local organisations in Ethiopia to bring clean water to communities and help people help themselves out of poverty. And we need their help again to continue to do this.” 

Lent is 40 days of reflection, fasting, and prayer leading up to Easter. Each year generous Scots up and down the country give up a favourite treat such as coffee, chocolate, wine or crisps during Lent and put the money they save into a SCIAF WEE BOX.   

Supporters also hold fundraising events in their schools and parishes and take on personal challenges to raise money. They then donate whatever they raise at Easter to provide a hand-up to vulnerable communities worldwide, struggling to survive due to hunger, poverty, conflict and the climate emergency.      

Bishop Brian added: “I have had the privilege of seeing first-hand the transformational work that our amazing SCIAF supporters are funding in Ethiopia. It is genuinely changing lives. Bringing clean water closer to people’s homes helps kids get to school and improves the health of the whole family. It’s amazing the difference basic things like taps and wells can make for people's lives. 

“We know that there are still so many more people suffering in Ethiopia and across the world from extreme poverty. With support like this, we can reach more families and more communities and give them a hand up out of the challenges they face.” 

This Lent, please use your WEE BOX to make a BIG CHANGE. Your support can show young people around the world that a better world is possible – one where they can survive, thrive and flourish.