Local supporters of relief and development agency Tearfund, have taken action against modern day slavery. Following the Freedom Walk, which took place in Tenby in March, marking the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, local Tearfund supporters have been busy raising awareness and funds to help put an end to the trafficking of people. As key members of the Stop The Traffik Coalition, Tearfund supporters organised events in Nevern and Tenby. A dinner was hosted by St. Brynachs Church, Nevern, where Ann Maull, Tearfund's church representative for Broad Haven Baptist Church, highlighted anti-slavery issues amongst children and young women today. Generous donations were made during the event which will be given to Tearfund to help their fight against people being bought and sold. At Deer Park Baptist Church, Tenby, the Youth Church and Junior Light Seekers Sunday Club, performed a drama raising awareness of the hidden facts of modern day slavery (see picture). As part of the family news, Sue Lorden and Sharron Hardwick introduced the sale of some unusual machines. The coffee picking machine, which was cheap to run and easily replaceable, the cotton picking machine, which worked extra hard and was virtually free to maintain, and the cocoa picking machine, which sometimes needed whipping to make it work fast enough to provide us with our much deserved chocolate. During the presentation, Grace Sutton stood up in disgust at Sue and Sharron's attempt to sell these machines, pointing out that they were infact human beings! When they finally realised that this was the reality of the industries in question, they reflected that often if things are out of sight they are out of mind. Sharron and Sue began to remove the machinery costumes from the children, while Bible readings and an appeal to look at how our life styles affect others was made by the Junior Light Seekers, Nancy and Hattie. "Our chocolate may taste sweet, our coffee refreshing and our clothes fashionable, but the cost to those who labour in these industries is high. We need to think that when we buy coffee, chocolate and new clothes of ways to ensure the people have not suffered to provide them. We can choose to buy only fair trade products, we can ask our local MP's to take a stand against injustice. We can change our lifestyles to improve the lives of others," said Tearfund's Sharron Hardwick. If you would like to take action against poverty and injustice contact Tearfund on 0845 355 8355 or [email protected]">[email protected] For a more local contact, call Sharron on 07791646076.
