Thank you

August 26, 2009

We never say thank you.

In fact, you work hard all day and in your spare time you respond to e-mails, come to our events and do your very best to make change happen and still we never say thank you.

Thanks: for all your hard work on climate change - almost 6000 people called for a fair deal for people in the developing world. In response John Gormley announced that he agrees with you. Of course as he negotiates for Ireland in the crucial climate change talks in Copenhagen this December all of us will be making sure he does what he says he will.

You were great on Gaza. In January 1/3 of all the people who contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs about the war on Gaza signed up to the Trocaire campaign. Hundreds more flocked to see John Ging speak in March. It is making an enormous difference. During the Gaza war Ireland pursued a better approach within the EU, calling for a suspension in Israel’s trade privileges. But there’s more to do. Over the summer the Palestinian and Israeli partner organisations we support met with a Foreign Affairs Committee delegation and with Gerry Adams and told them that peace and human rights needs more work.

In Zimbabwe, Jestina Mukoko, the human rights activist who was abducted by the Zimbabwean government wrote to us to thank you, here is what she said:

''Dear friends in Trócaire,

When I was holed up in captivity I had no idea that the world, in particular Ireland, through the tireless efforts of Trócaire, was demanding my release. The efforts made by Trócaire campaigners could not be ignored by my captors. I am humbled by the fact that your campaigns were launched without fear. It is good for us in Zimbabwe to know that we have made so many friends. We are grateful for all the support that you continued to render in our darkest hours.”

During Lent, when you heard about the plight of people forced to flee from their homes you were moved to take action. Our call for a people focused peace envoy for Somalia has since been endorsed by Nuala O'Loan, the Irish Government's Peace Envoy to Timor Leste and by Oxfam International. Building peace in Somalia will take years but as people like you are joined by voices from across the world governments will have to listen.

So, from all of us, and from our partners we want to say a sincere and heartfelt thank you.

If you can come to any of our events make sure you talk to us so we can say thank you in person. Without you we couldn’t do what we do. We think you’re great and we’d like to meet you!

Thank you,

Eóin, Alice Mary, Orla, Kate, Trish, Mary and Susan

Trócaire Campaigns Team