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July 04, 2005

Make Poverty History Edinburgh - some personal highlights

A group of about 14 of us from our church, Glenwood Church in Cardiff went up overnight on a coach to Edinburgh for the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY festival.

A particularly special moment for me was meeting three farmers from Burkina Faso - including Boureima, a Fulani from Gorom-Gorom! They were over with Christian Aid to talk about their own situation of food insecurity. Boureima recognised me, and we babbled away happily in Fulfulde.

Other personal highlights:
* Walking round Edinburgh at 7am in the sunshine, before everyone arrived, when the streets were empty and silent.
* Listening to the speaker from Tear Fund, from the Make Poverty History steering committee, speak of the 3000 year-old protest song from the Bible, where the Psalmist speaks out against injustice.
* The march. Being part of vast numbers of people coming together to call for justice for the poor. And the good humour and friendliness of everyone we spoke to.
* The Sudanese group from "Protect Darfur" and their dynamic drumming.
* Rinky-dink for the fun they brought to the march.

* Lying on the grass in the sun, listening to Billy Bragg leading everyone singing "One Heart"
* Listening to a muslim speak on how his faith led him to be there, to join those of other faiths in the struggle against injustice. And watching a small crowd, including a Jew with his skullcap, and a Salvation Army member, listening intently and respectfully.
* Bumping into Paul, who I was at university with, too many years ago.
* The Police having nothing to do.

Tags: g8 edinburgh make poverty history

Posted by Keith at July 4, 2005 01:37 PM