Scottish volunteers, Emma, Jane, Rachel and Hilary (who was camera shy!) tell us why they care about poverty.
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Why do you think it’s important to respond to poverty?
Jane : I think it’s important primarily because the Bible says we should do it. But also because inequality isn’t fair, and if we want to see changes in the world then we have to do something, personally, instead of relying on others. I couldn’t live in a world with poverty and not do anything.
In what ways do you campaign for change?
Rachel : I write to my MP. I also write to the people at the University who are in charge of the policies – asking them to introduce Fairtrade products and things like that. And in June I’m going to Germany to protest at the G8.
What words of encouragement would you give to other students to get active?
Hilary : I think that as you start to find out more about poverty and justice then you feel more strongly about it. As you pray for it to be more personal to you then you’ll care more about it – and you’ll do more about it.
Why do you think it’s important to respond to poverty?
Emma : Because it’s obvious right throughout the Bible that God is a God of justice and a God who cares about justice. And it’s our responsibility to be His hands and feet and react to that.
In what ways do you campaign for change?
Emma :Through stuff that’s been happening in the different churches I’ve been involved in. And through the social action stuff in CU – being part of that. We did a petition for the anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade, the Amazing Change it was called. And in church, before Christmas, we used the Aids stuff from Tearfund – the Work a Miracle campaign.
What words of encouragement would you give to other students to get active?
Emma : Even though it seems totally overwhelming, as to how we can adequately respond to poverty – it’s the combination of all the small actions that make a difference, and if every individual does the things that they can do, then it can affect others and can actually impact how we respond to poverty as a nation. Just be brave and pick the actions and the small things that you can do.
What are you planning to do next year in Glasgow Uni CU?
Emma : A lot of what we’re doing is raising awareness of issues. And we’re wanting to see if we can work with some of the other justice groups on campus like Amnesty International and People and Planet – to work together for the justice aims that we have, rather than all running individual, competing things. We could be working together towards the shared vision we all have. We could then try and make more of an impact on campus rather than being little separate groups who all do their own things and who don’t have much contact with each other. But we’ll see how it goes!