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The Big Give is back

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We’re thrilled to announce an amazing opportunity. The Big Give Christmas Challenge 2023 is coming soon and A Rocha International will be taking part again! This means that from noon (GMT) on #GivingTuesday 28 November until noon on 5 December any donation you make through our campaign page on the Christmas Challenge website* will be DOUBLED (while match funds last). Whether you care about engaging Christians in creation care, conserving wildlife and their habitats, environmental education and community development, or advocating for women empowerment or the voiceless, there is a story here for you at A Rocha.

Double my donation

This year marks the 40th year of A Rocha since our founding in Portugal in 1983. And what a year it has been! We’ve seen major milestones, like ringing 250,000 birds, conserving 1.26 million hectares of vulnerable landscapes and habitat, engaging over 43,000 people in our environmental education programmes, as well as launching our 40 for the Future campaign.

The 40 for the Future campaign celebrates our legacy of 40 years of conservation work, while also building on our hope for the future for conservation through five key categories: Faith & Creation Care, Biodiversity Conservation, Community Engagement & Education, Advocacy & Restoration, and Growth Opportunities (including our expanding ‘Friends of A Rocha’ network).

We are delighted to share that we are just over the halfway mark to our goal for the 40 for the Future campaign – lighting 22 of 40 candles on our birthday cake! As the title of the campaign suggests, we’ve set our aim to raise 40 gifts of US$40,000 to build towards the future we all envision – a world where nature flourishes as people live equitably and sustainably.

Thank you for those that have already given in support of our 40th campaign. We could not do this work without you. Please consider sharing this opportunity with your family and friends. And if you have not supported yet this year, would you join us this advent season for a final, end of year gift and help us light another candle? Donate to the Big Give between 28 November and 5 December for a chance to double your gift and end the year with a meaningful impact towards A Rocha’s global conservation work. Thank you for helping us make a difference.

* Please note that only donations made through our campaign page on the Christmas Challenge website between 28 November and 5 December are eligible to be doubled.

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Blue: How can nature impact my mental health?

The fifth instalment of A Rocha’s Elements of Hope video series, titled Blue, delves into the relationship between mental health challenges and the positive effects of nature on our wellbeing. We investigate how immersing ourselves in nature can pull us out of our internal struggles and rekindle our connection to God and his call for us to be stewards of creation. In this video, A Rocha interns Michaela Stenerson and Allison Cutting share their experiences of finding relief from anxiety and depression through their proximity to the ocean. 

We’ll also hear from Murray Tessendorf, the National Director of A Rocha South Africa, as he shares how his experiences as a crisis chaplain have motivated him to practice proactive self-care in dealing with depression and anxiety. This includes activities like taking daily walks in nature and engaging in other practices to help redefine our sense of purpose and connection with our Creator. 
 
Learn more about how nature can improve our mental health with our study guide. Feel free to share the study guide and film with your church, school, bible study or youth group.

DOWNLOAD STUDY GUIDE
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Cross-border connections at Courmettes

In early September, 19 individuals from Friends of A Rocha Germany engaged an exchange week with French A Rocha enthusiasts at Les Courmettes, A Rocha France’s field study centre near Nice. The agenda: to learn from A Rocha’s experiences in France and share initial project ideas. The week was partly funded by the French-German Citizens’ Fund, supporting projects enhancing Franco-German fellowship.

Meeting for the first time, the two groups soon felt as one community. What brought us together?

First, the joint learning experience. Morning sessions were for discussing projects and sharing practical creation care insights. Nature outings, especially a joint hike, deepened our connection. Butterflies, birds, stags and deer, sunrise, breathtaking views – we were in awe together. Field visits to dry meadows and the vegetable garden, with a focus on water conservation, were enlightening.

 
  
We reflected together on the ecological crises and the emotions they provoke in us. We thought about appropriate reactions, within ourselves and towards others. Entertainment, such as quiz and talent nights, added a fun element. The joyful evening of folk dancing was definitely a highlight of the week. 
  
Communication, albeit initially challenging due to language barriers, turned into an amusing experience. English – with hand gestures – became our bridge. The heart of fellowship was felt during mealtimes. Sharing delicious, healthy meals, complimented by the hospitality shown through German dishes prepared by the French kitchen, was precious for personal interactions and language learning. 
  
The week concluded with a rewarding clean up activity with the local municipality, sweetened by regional violet syrup and quiche. This poignant ending left us encouraged and thankful as we embarked on our return journeys, enriched by an inspiring week of Franco-German exchange and ecological engagement.