Voices of Change

Ep 15: What Does It Mean to Receive a Papal Blessing? Marie and Majella, 25 Years Volunteering at CAFOD

Thu, 10 Oct 2024 13:40:40 GMT

In this episode, Marie and Majella, who have dedicated over 25 years to volunteering with CAFOD, reflect on the incredible honour of receiving Papal blessings from Pope Francis. They share the significance of this recognition, their motivation for volunteering, and the role of hope and faith in their journey. Tune in to hear some excellent stories over the 25 years!

All episodes of Voices of Change: https://cafod.org.uk/voices-of-change

Time stamps!

00:00: Introduction

00:50: Quickfire questions

07:20: Papal blessing

14:24: 25 years of volunteering

23:58: Jubilee year

31:22: Outro

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Ep 14: How Are Young People Rebuilding Their Lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo? Katy Nembe Katonda on DRC

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:22:48 GMT

In this episode, Katy Nembe Katonda, CAFOD’s Deputy Country Representative in the Democratic Republic of Congo, discusses the immense challenges faced by families in the DRC, including displacement, poverty, and the urgent need for peace. Learn how CAFOD’s partner, CAJED, is empowering young people like Daniel through vocational training, giving them the tools to rebuild their lives. Your Family Fast Day donation means people like Daniel around the world will have the opportunity to get the vital skills training they need to carve a better own future

All episodes of Voices of Change: https://cafod.org.uk/voices-of-change

Time stamps!

00:00: Introduction

00:30: Quickfire questions

11:00: Challenges in DRC

25:49: Impact of CAFOD partners

36:37: Role of faith

41:00: Outro

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Ep 13: Simon Giarchi on the pivotal role of community and volunteers

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 14:18:49 GMT

In this episode of Voices of Change, Simon Giarchi, CAFOD's Community Participation Coordinator for Plymouth Diocese discusses a pivotal mountaintop moment that inspired his social justice work, his belief in community participation and the role of the church in motivating action.

Time stamps!

00:00: Introduction

01:00: Quickfire questions

04:00: Plymouth

06:00: Life changing moment

12:00: Campaigning

15:00: Community participation

27:00: Importance of volunteers

29:00: Spirituality and the gospel

35:00: Simon's necklace

38:00: Simon's visit to Brazil

44:00: What gives you hope?

46:30: Outro

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Ep 12: Fr. Patrick van der Vorst on Christian Art, Dragons' Den, Songs of Praise & Priesthood

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 14:25:16 GMT

Join us in this episode of Voices of Change as we speak with Father Patrick van der Vorst. From securing investment on BBC's Dragons' Den for his online art valuation company, to creating the popular Christian Art website, Fr Patrick shares his unique journey into the priesthood. We discuss his appearances on Songs of Praise, his daily reflections combining art and the Gospel, and his path of discernment. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about faith, art, and personal transformation.

Time stamps!

00:00: Introduction

00:40: Quickfire question round

04:20: Dragon's Den

09:44: Christian Art

25:15: Romero cross

29:53: Journey into priesthood

37:16: What is next for Fr Patrick

40:25: Outro

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Ep 11: Kayode Akintola on the situation in Sudan and CAFOD's local experts

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 06:00:22 GMT

Join us in this compelling episode of Voices of Change as we sit down with Kayode Akintola, Head of Africa Region at CAFOD. Kayode discusses the current situation in Sudan, the various challenges facing Africa, and why partnering with local experts is CAFOD's humanitarian work. Don't miss this insightful conversation!

Time stamps!

00:00: Introduction with Kayode

00:33: Quickfire question round

06:00: Journey with CAFOD

07:40: CAFOD’s Head of Africa region

09:50: Working with local experts

12:00: Underreported crises of 2023

21:00: Situation in Sudan

32:00: Challenges in Africa

37:00: What gives you hope?

44:00: Outro

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Ep 10: Sandun Thudugala on Sri Lanka's debt crisis

Fri, 03 May 2024 13:20:20 GMT

Join Sandun Thudugala, Head of Programs at Law and Society Trust, as he uncovers the layers of Sri Lanka's debt crisis, revealing how it impacts ordinary citizens.

Time stamps!

00:00: Introduction with Sandun

01:07: Quickfire question round

06:20: Challenges facing the people of Sri Lanka

10:02: Debt crisis in Sri Lanka

24:34: How LST are tackling the debt crisis

30:13: CAFOD's work with LST

31:29: Life of a family in Sri Lanka without debt

35:09: How CAFOD supporters can campaign

36:52: Future for the people of Sri Lanka

39:06: Outro

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Ep 9: Clare Dixon on Saint Oscar Romero and Advocating for Human Rights

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 06:00:29 GMT

In this episode of Voices of Change, host Celeste Iyinbo sits down with Clare Dixon, an esteemed advocate for justice and human rights with a remarkable 45-year tenure at CAFOD. Clare's unwavering commitment to defending the rights of marginalised communities in Latin America and the Caribbean has earned her accolades such as the OBE and the Cardinal Silva Human Rights Medal.

Listen as Clare shares her inspiring journey from her upbringing in northeast England to her pivotal role in CAFOD's efforts in regions grappling with political unrest and human rights violations. Gain insight into the profound impact of individuals like Saint Oscar Romero and the Jesuit community in shaping Clare's work and worldview.

Through personal anecdotes and reflections on significant moments in her career, Clare sheds light on the importance of defending human rights globally.

Time stamps!

00:00: Introduction with Clare

01:30: Can you tell us a saint that inspires you and why?

03:05: If you could eat only one food for the whole rest of your life, what would it be?

04:53: If you could have dinner with a historical figure, who would it be and why?

07:15: Is there something you've always wanted to learn that you never had the time to do before, but you'd love to do now?

09:39: Clare's journey into the development sector, human rights and justice work

17:03: Inspiring stories from 45 years at CAFOD

28:37: Working with Saint Oscar Romero

35:31: Why does Saint Oscar Romero hold such significance to CAFOD and its supporters?

40:56: St Oscar Romero shrine in St George's Cathedral, Southwark

43:40: Message to listeners called to advocated for human rights

48:01: Outro

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Ep 8: Nargis Nehan, Advocate for Women's Rights in Afghanistan, Special Episode for International Women's Day

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 07:00:15 GMT

In this special International Women's Day episode of Voices of Change, Celeste Iyinbo engages in a deeply insightful conversation with Nargis Nehan, former acting Minister for Mines and Petroleum in Afghanistan. A passionate advocate for women's rights, Nargis shares profound insights into the gender apartheid gripping Afghan women and girls. Listen as she shares the current plight of Afghan women and her unwavering hopes for a brighter future.

Time stamps!

00:05: What was it that made you want to dedicate your life for women's empowerment and humanitarian sector?

04:02: Can you tell us about your work to achieve this goal pre the Taliban takeover?

08:43: What critical role did women's rights organisations play before the Taliban takeover?

11:15: Where were you when the news broke of the Taliban takeover of the capital?

16:20: What is the current situation facing women and girls today in Afghanistan? What are the biggest threats to their well being?

18:28: Has a Taliban takeover changed your goals? And also, could you tell us what has been the result in impact of the takeover on women's rights organisations and their work?

23:43: What is it like living in exile?

26:00: How do you continue to maintain connections with women inside Afghanistan from your current home in Canada? How do you find ways to support them? And do you hope to return to Afghanistan one day?

28:51: What would you like to see change in Afghanistan before you return?

30:03: How would you describe your relationship with CAFOD?

31:41: What is important about CAFOD working in collaboration with local organisations. And I was wondering what can organisations like CAFOD do best to support women's rights in Afghanistan?

33:38: What are your hopes for the future in Afghanistan?

34:39: Do you have a message for UK supporters?

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Ep 7: Bishop Stephen Wright on Lent, Prayer and becoming a Bishop

Tue, 06 Feb 2024 08:00:14 GMT

Join Celeste Iyinbo in a deep dive with Bishop Stephen Wright on Voices of Change. Explore the profound significance of Lent, discover unique insights into the art of prayer on the go, and learn about Bishop Stephen's inspiring journey to becoming the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle and the Chair of Trustees at CAFOD.

Time stamps!

00:53: Quickfire questions round! Could you tell us about a saint that inspires you and why?

02:32: If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

03:13: if you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?

04:04: could you share with us your favourite walk and why it holds significance for you?

05:52: Bishop Stephen, as chair of trustees at CAFOD, what are your key priorities in steering the mission and vision of CAFOD?

07:46: What motivated you to take on this role? We're gonna speak later about your total background and how you got, how you started and everything, but how did you end up being a chair of trustees?

09:53: So what's been the most rewarding aspect, I would say, of your new role?

16:13: Bishop Stephen, could you tell us then a little bit more about, you were kind of saying how you've got into your current sort of role, but your origin story, how you became a Bishop? Because I found out that you've had quite a really interesting life and I believe you qualified as a barrister as well in a former life as well. How did it all start?

20:13: So for anyone who's new to the church, would you mind Bishop Stephen, explain a little bit more about why Lent is so important and why we do practice prayer, fasting and giving during the 40 days of Lent.

29:16: Do you have a message for followers and supporters of CAFOD and to everybody who's listening to our podcast.

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Ep 6: Nana Churcher, TV show host, author and CAFOD volunteer

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 07:00:46 GMT

Join Celeste Iyinbo in an inspiring conversation with Nana Churcher, an award-winning international talk show host, motivational speaker, and CAFOD volunteer. Delve into Nana's incredible journey filled with success, motivation, and profound insights. Listen now for an empowering episode.

Time stamps!

00:00: Intro

00:36: Tell us a little bit about you and your journey.

01:34: So tell us about a saint that inspires you and why?

02:11: And if you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?

02:55: If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be? And why?

03:43: And what's the best piece of advice you've ever received in your journey as a TV host?

05:01: So, first of all, you mentioned your TV show. I'd love to know more about it. How did you start the Nana Churcher show? And also, what is the aim of the show?

10:43: So you've actually interviewed so many people from all walks of life? Do you have a person or couple of people? Perhaps that really stuck out in your mind?

12:28: What motivates you Nana? What keeps you going?

13:11: Could you share how your faith inspires then and influences everything that you do?

14:42: I mentioned that you're also a volunteer as well. With CAFOD. Could you tell us a little bit about that. What is your volunteering role, and how long have you been doing it?

18:28: What would you say then to people who might be interested in volunteering. But they don't know if it's for them?

21:20: Tell me about that time that you were so close to meeting Oprah who I know is one of your favourite people. What happened?

27:01: What would you say to people that are struggling to get that positivity or to feel like they've got a place in the world, they can make a change, or just to feel happy?

32:19: Outro

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Ep 5: Lucy Esipila, Caritas Africa Regional Coordinator on COP28 and African climate perspectives

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 07:00:51 GMT

Dive into an enlightening conversation on "Voices of Change," CAFOD's impactful podcast series, featuring Lucy Esipila, the pioneering first female Regional Coordinator of Caritas Africa. In this upcoming episode set for release, Lucy shares profound insights into pressing climate change issues facing Africa, progress since her participation at COP27, and priorities for COP28. Delve into her journey, her pivotal role within Caritas Africa, and the transformative power of her faith. Tune in for an enlightening conversation filled with perspectives on climate justice.

Time stamps!

00:00: Intro

00:34: Can you start by telling our listeners a little bit about yourself and your journey to becoming the regional Coordinator of Caritas in Africa?

02:20: You highlighted four significant approaches that are key to building resilient communities in Africa. Would you be able to just tell us about them?

04:54: Can you tell us a saint that inspires you and why?

06:55: So what is one item that you couldn't live without?

07:52: If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would that food be?

08:43: What is one thing that you've always wanted to learn that you haven't had the chance to learn yet?

09:28: Best thing about living in Togo?

12:32: How important is your faith in what you do, in your role, you know, this amazing role that you've got. How does your faith play into that?

14:13: Could you share with us your perspective then on climate change issues, specifically facing Africa and the progress that's been made since your participation in COP27?

21:04: You touched on agroecology. Would you be able just to give our listeners just a brief sort of explanation to clarify what that is and why it's so important now?

25:53: So with the world leaders attending COP28, what do you believe should be the top priorities for this conference?

29:09: So is that what you mean by having a just transition?

33:21: Is there a particular message of hope or inspiration that you'd actually like to give out there, share with our listeners about your work with Caritas Africa and the ongoing fight against climate change?

35:39: Outro

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Ep 4: Gareth Rowe, Research Fellow on Pope Francis' Laudate Deum, follow up to Laudato Si' ahead of COP28

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 07:00:55 GMT

Join us as Gareth Rowe, a research fellow with CAFOD and Durham University, discusses the powerful messages of Pope Francis in his latest Apostolic Exhortation, "Laudate Deum," and the enduring impact of "Laudato Si'." As COP28 approaches, this episode explores the urgent calls to action and the interconnectedness of environmental stewardship. Discover how Pope Francis's teachings continue to shape our response to the climate crisis and inspire positive change. Subscribe now to stay informed and inspired on "Voices of Change."

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Ep 3: Father Vitaliy Novak, CEO of Depaul Ukraine

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 06:00:00 GMT

In this episode of Voices of Change, host Celeste Iyinbo engages in a poignant conversation with Father Vitaliy Novak, the Chair of Depaul Ukraine. Against the backdrop of Ukraine's enduring conflict with Russia, Father Vitaliy's unwavering commitment to addressing humanitarian challenges shines brightly. This episode offers a profound exploration of his journey, marked by the delivery of vital aid to conflict-stricken areas. Through personal stories of resilience, we uncover the remarkable impact of Depaul Ukraine's efforts in a region beset by adversity. Tune in to learn more about the current situation in Ukraine.

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Ep 2: Mary Madziva, Retreat Development and Outreach Coordinator at YMT and Trustee of Catholic Student Network

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 08:00:00 GMT

Join us in this engaging episode as we dive into the world of youth ministry and positive change with Mary Madziva, a passionate Catholic youth worker.

Mary shares her journey, including her experiences at World Youth Day in Lisbon and her role in organising the Flame conference at Wembley. Discover the electric atmosphere in Lisbon, where Pope Francis's inspiring words left a lasting impact on young hearts. Learn about Flame, a massive event for young people in the UK, and the power of youth voices in shaping the Catholic Church and society.

Get to know Mary on a personal level. From her admiration for St. Mother Teresa to the importance of empowering young individuals, this episode is filled with insights and inspiration.

Tune in for a dynamic conversation that explores faith, youth ministry, and the endless possibilities for positive change.

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Ep 1: Bernard Balibuno, Country Director of CAFOD in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 08:00:00 GMT

In this episode of the Voices of Change podcast, host Celeste Iyinbo chats to Bernard Balibuno, the Country Director of CAFOD in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Bernard provides insights into his role as Country Director and the challenges CAFOD faces in DRC, a country that has been dealing with emergencies, governance issues, and vulnerable communities.

Bernard shares the variety of projects CAFOD is working on, from responding to emergencies and supporting vulnerable populations to working on governance and empowering women and young people. He highlights the importance of success stories and how they keep the team motivated amidst the challenges they face.

The podcast delves into the impact of climate change in DRC, where farming heavily depends on rainfall, and how the changing weather patterns affect communities. Bernard also discusses the critical role the Catholic Church plays in the country and the significance of Pope Francis' visit to bring hope to the people of DRC.

The interview sheds light on the struggles and resilience of the people of DRC, who have faced conflict, displacement, and natural disasters. Bernard calls for support, prayers, and advocacy to address the challenges faced by the vulnerable communities in the country.

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