WE HEARD this week from the Ven. J. W. Kofi deGraft-Johnson, general secretary of CAPA, the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa, who are disbursing the money raised in the Church Times Train-A-Priest Fund for Africa.
As in the UK, training for the priesthood has been severely disrupted by Covid-19; but grants are being made from the money raised during our 2020 Lenten appeal. Hearing from some of the applicants for a TAP Africa grant is both humbling and inspiring.
Onzia grew up in South Sudan but is now living in a refugee camp in Uganda. She is 25, and writes of spending most of her time helping her widowed mother raise her siblings, ensuring that they received a good education.
She writes: “When I got the information about the College and their kindness towards their students, I took courage to join. However, many friends and relatives talked against my decision, given my age. They believed that theology is not a lucrative course that enables one to take care of one’s family. It was a very unwise decision that I had made according to them.
“I stood firm in my decision but things have been hard. But by the Grace of God I hope to finish my course and serve God.
“I am grateful for the Capa Tap Scholarship availed through the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa. It has been my prayer to get support and this scholarship has been the light in the tunnel.”
Please give generously to TAP Africa this Lent, in the confidence that every penny that you give goes to candidates for training in Africa who, like Onzia, face great financial difficulty. Nothing is retained to cover administrative expenses, here or in Africa.
How to donate to the TAP Fund
Donate online quickly and securely online. This is our preferred method: www.churchtimes.co.uk/train-a-priest-fund.
But you can also give by cheque or charity voucher. Please make cheques payable to: “The TAP Fund” and send to: TAP Fund, Church Times, Hymns Ancient & Modern, 13a Hellesdon Road, Norwich NR6 5DR.
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