While this monologue is written specifically for URC Commitment for Life churches, it may be adapted easily for any congregation connected to Christian Aid. This monologue has been adapted from a Christian Aid news story.
Worship Leader:
Commitment for Life is our church’s way to make a difference in the world.
Commitment for Life enables us together to live out Jesus’s commandment of loving our neighbour, to stand beside the poor and marginalised, to see justice done. Through our generosity and stewardship, Commitment for Life links us to Christian Aid partners and projects in Bangladesh, Zimbabwe and Israel and the Occupied Palestine Territory.
Today, I would like to introduce to you Mrs Nyaria Zirugo, a friend connected to one of these partner projects in Zimbabwe.
Dramatic Reader (ideally, wearing a shawl):
Good morning. I am Nyaria [Nigh-ya- ree-a], Nyarai Zirugo [Zee-roo-go].
My home is in the rural area of Njani [N-jahn-ee] , Mutoko, in Zimbabwe.
My family has been farming for generations, growing traditional crops and raising chickens. With climate change, we have less rain, which has meant small yields for our crops. We have had enough for my family to eat, but nothing left over to sell. That means no money for extras like shoes and school fees.
Our lives have changed since Bio Innovation Zimbabwe, BIZ for short, came to our community. BIZ suggested we try wild product harvesting, a sustainable method which is environmentally friendly to our land. BIZ helped us get started on this new farming venture, teaching us conservation agriculture techniques.
My family has diversified our crops and livestock. We are growing different grains and legumes. We have seen our livelihoods, diet and farming methods improve greatly. We are better able to sustain ourselves even when droughts hit our area. Our whole community is changing. Women are become more independent and incidences of gender-based violence have dropped. We have been empowered through knowledge.
Thank you for your support of Bio Innovation Zimbabwe through your gifts to Commitment for Life. My life has improved! You are truly making a difference.
Worship Leader:
Pray with me. God of compassion, thank you for programmes supporting subsistence farmers like Mrs Zirugo in Zimbabwe. Grant us generosity in our support for Commitment for Life and Christian Aid, that lives might continue to be transformed through knowledge and opportunity. Amen.
Photo: Mrs. Nyarai Zirugo of Zimbabwe – please credit Christian Aid
