Argyll and the Isles Diocesan Ambassador for SCIAF, Marian Pallister, writes:

In November, the SCIAF Ambassadors for each of Scotland's diocese were invited to a retreat in Edinburgh. We had a very enriching experience, led by Fr Chris Boles SJ, Director of the Lauriston Jesuit Centre, superior of the Lauriston Jesuit Community and Director of Justice and Peace in the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh.

We also had a meeting with a number of SCIAF workers who were able to update us on the success of projects that YOU have made possible.

Copper Campaign Success

One huge success story is the work SCIAF has been doing in Zambia. I have a personal interest in this campaign to ensure that Zambia gets a fairer deal from its copper reserves. The charity I founded here in Argyll and the Isles which pays for the education of youngsters at two separate projects in Lusaka has first hand knowledge of the effects exploitation in the copper mines has on Zambia's children. Many of the street kids rescued by the Mthunzi Centre fled to Lusaka from the poverty experienced in the Copper Belt.

SCIAF's campaign has resulted in an announcement by the Zambian Government that new measures were to be taken to get the mining companies to pay an additional £207 million in taxes. This money will be used to "implement vital programmes in health and education", according to the Zambian government.

That means it could triple its healthcare budget (life expectancy in Zambia has fallen to 37 years and one in five is affected by HIV and AIDS), as well as providing better schools and colleges and paying its university lecturers. This year, the university has closed several times because of strikes by unpaid staff.

SCIAF is continuing to engage with Vedanta Resources, the owner of Zambia's biggest mining company, and its Scottish-based investors. If you would like to know more about this campaign, please contact me on 01546 603626 or email marian.pallister@zen.co.uk - I can come to YOUR parish to give you the full SCIAF story with pictures.

Sugar in your tank? The Brazilian Effect

I can also give you a preview of the campaign which SCIAF will highlight next Lent. The biofuel issue which has hit the headlines in the past few weeks has been in SCIAF's sights for much longer. Already, with your help, we are making inroads into this issue, particularly in Brazil, where the sugar cane bonanza is creating land issues for the local people.

Postcards for Climate Change

And could I ask you to go on campaigning to get the full changes SCIAF is lobbying for in the Scottish Climate Change Bill? The consultation continues, and your voice can make a difference. Thanks to the thousands of SCIAF supporters who have already sent their MSP a message asking for a strong bill that promises cuts in greenhouse gases of 3% per year, and 80% cuts by 2050.

SCIAF's Partners for Justice Campaign is hoping you'll do more! If you have already sent your postcard, why not write a letter to your MSP? Tell them why you think climate change is an important issue, what you think Scotland should be doing to reduce its contribution to climate change, and why Scotland should help developing countries cope with the impacts of climate change.

There's just so much going on at SCIAF and it all happens because of your generosity and your support. I would love to come to YOUR parish to say 'thank you' and to give you a fuller update of the exciting work Scotland's biggest overseas aid charity is achieving.