Local Jubilee 2000 volunteers have seen some stunning successes, but warn that there is still a long way to go.
At Christmas, Bill Clinton and Gordon Brown announced the cancellation of all debts owed to the US and UK by countries who could not afford to repay their loans. Ashtead campaigners were elated that pressure on last summer's 'G8' economic summit prompted this wave of write-offs.
However, as village resident Paul Gruzalski explained, there is still a long way to go: "Although we have cancelled the debt owed directly to our country and the USA, there is still a massive $300 billion owed to the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund."
The Ashtead group has first-hand knowledge of the damage that a debt repayment regime is having on one country, Tanzania, in particular. Last November their contact, Father Simeon Katama, described their situation "From 1967 both education and health services were given freely to all citizens… Illiteracy was almost wiped out in Tanzania in the late 70s and early 80s, and the death rate was reduced to a great extent."
He went on to explain that since the Structural Adjustment Programme was imposed in 1985, school attendance in his village has dropped to only 2 in every 5 children. Even if parents can afford the school fees, the schools cannot afford the books and equipment. The agricultural economy is at the mercy of world markets. Farmers can no longer afford good seeds, fertiliser, pesticides and tools to help ensure a good harvest. "The Government collects tax from everyone… and does almost nothing for them," he says.
Fr. Simeon concluded: "To any lover of humanity, debt cancellation is no matter of choice… Celebrating the Jubilee year 2000 under the present-day debt atmosphere would be a mockery not only to Christianity, but also to humanity."
If you are interested to know more or even contribute to the campaign, contact local organisers Paul Gruzalski (278692) and Dick Dennys (271668).
Why not visit www.jubilee2000uk.org - the organisers of the campaign.
80% live in substandard housing
70% cannot read
50% suffer from malnutrition
75% have never made a phone call
less than 1% are on the internet
half of the wealth is in the hands of 6% of the people
1% have a college education
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