To: Licensed Clergy
From: The Rt Revd Graham James, Bishop of Norwich – bishop@bishopofnorwich.org
Dear Friends,
Some Congolese refugee families have recently arrived in Norwich, driven from their homes because of the civil war there. A letter follows below from June Carding (Churchwarden at Brundall). These families need some basic amenities in their new homes. Any help, however small, would be appreciated. Please make any cheques payable to "The Refugee Council" and send them to my office here at Bishop's House. I've been able to offer some assistance personally but would be glad if we could do more in the diocese.
Many thanks,
Bishop Graham
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You may be aware that for the last two years, Norwich has become a City of Refuge for families who have been re-settled here under the Gateway Protection Programme. This is a Government Programme which offers refugee status for some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Bishop Graham was in fact instrumental in encouraging the first Gateway programme to be brought to Norwich, and has retained an active interest since that time.
Over the last two years, this multi-agency programme has worked to welcome Congolese families, who have been living in refugee camps in Zambia, to make their homes in Norwich. These are largely Christian people, who are keen to integrate, and make a positive contribution, wherever possible.
The third Gateway group has arrived in Norwich very recently, and the families are in the very early stages of adapting to life in the UK. Previous Gateway groups have been helped by a local Christian charity, which provided washing machines for each household. Unfortunately this has not been possible this year, and this poses considerable difficulties particularly for families with several children.
Bishop Graham has kindly agreed to an appeal being sent around the churches, in an endeavour to raise money to provide 12 washing machines for these newly arrived families. Any contribution, no matter how small, will be gratefully received, and can be sent to the Refugee Council in Norwich, through the Bishop’s office.
Many thanks.