Bishop launches Harvest Appeal at Great Barford Primary Academy

Bishop Richard recently visited Great Barford Church of England Primary Academy near Bedford to launch this year’s Harvest Appeal, alongside representatives from the chosen charity, Mission Direct.

The appeal

This year’s appeal, Rewrite Their Future, is run in partnership with Mission Direct. Their education initiatives in places such as Zambia and Uganda typically include building schools, helping to attract and retain teachers in rural schools, enhancing academic performance and health due to nutrition programmes and enabling girls to continue in education after puberty by providing better washing and sanitation facilities.

After one year, these schools supported by Mission Direct will serve over 2,945 children, of which 1,170 will be benefitting from new classrooms. Over the next 20 years, 23,400 children will gain access to education that would otherwise be out of reach. At a time when 250 million children globally are not in school, this is one small but vital way we can help change that reality.

School visit

Following an assembly led by Bishop Richard, the Mission Direct team guided a lesson for Year 6 pupils. They shared stories from Uganda and Zambia, highlighting the impact of the appeal—not only in terms of practical support that funds will go to resource, but also how the additional provision will help children and young people in these communities to thrive both socially and emotionally.

Two of the children featured were Esther and Francis, both in Grade 7 (aged 12–13). Esther hopes to become an airline pilot, while Francis dreams of becoming an accountant. Funds raised through the campaign will enable Mission Direct to help support children like them to access education and aspirations, giving them opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.

Year 6 pupils then took part in an activity inspired by the campaign’s title, Rewrite Their Future, featuring a giant pencil. They were invited to dream about their own futures and reflect on the opportunities they have.

Reflecting on his visit to the school, Bishop Richard said:

“It was a great joy to be at Great Barford Church of England Primary Academy as, with Mission Direct, we launched this year’s Harvest Appeal to support educational opportunity in Zambia and Uganda.

In a wonderfully interactive session, the young people quickly recognised that this was more than just about the provision of facilities, but rather the opportunity for young people in Africa to fulfil their God-given potential. Recognising their own opportunities, there was a strong desire that others should benefit as well.

It was a great launch and I encourage all of us to play our part in supporting this vital work to enable young people to flourish.”

To find out more about the Rewrite Their Future Harvest Appeal and how you can get involved, visit the appeal page here.

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