CAFOD blog

photo: CAFOD/Adrian White

As a Zambian, it was a tremendous experience to be part of the 30,000 strong “Put People First” march through London on Saturday.

The march was about countries like Zambia, one of the hardest hit poor countries by the current economic crisis

With more than 80% of its foreign earnings dependent on copper mining, Zambia has lost more than ten thousand jobs in the last three months alone, deepening the already serious problem of poverty.

It means more people have now lost access to one decent meal a day. Families will fail to pay for education and healthcare, and will have no access to proper housing.

This is why the march meant a lot to me. And thanks to CAFOD who made it happen.

The apprehension I had prior to the march due to media stories that predicted violence, melted away by the feisty mood of the marchers, the feeling of solidarity, the waving of the CAFOD and a myriad of other colourful banners.

I was struck by the ordinariness of the people taking part; ordinary families, people of all ages and colours, different organisations, all demanding global justice in solidarity with the world’s poorest people.

At Hyde Park, there was this elderly lady, a veteran I’m guessing, who knows to be prepared against the vagaries of an English spring day, as she poured her tea from a flask.

Her face said it all, determined to stay for the duration, to stand in solidarity and to show that we can make a difference.

I walked up onto the stage greeted by a sea of faces and flattering banners in the wind. It was awesome to share it with people like Mark Thomas, comedian and social activist, and the actor, Tony Robinson.

When I had finished my address, a man came up to me, and told me that he was a priest, and he was so glad to hear the voice of an African explaining what the reality of the global recession means to billions of Africans across the continent.

Shaking his hand and hearing his words, simply energized me. And brought to mind a saying we have in Zambia: “One who enters a forest does not listen to the breaking of the twigs in the bush.”

And this is what the marchers that came to Hyde Park, truly showed by their determination and courage in the fight for global justice.

Posted by Fr Joe Komakoma