From Placemats to Postcards for Pikangikum… My involvement in PWRDF

By Cassidy Coombs, justgeneration.ca Diocesan Ambassador for Nova Scotia/PEI

Throughout my life I have been familiar with The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund. Before becoming a justgeneration.ca Diocesan Ambassador for the organization, I thought of PWRDF as the placemats at church suppers, SUPER FRIENDS activity books at church camps, pins on my backpack, and as an international aid agency. Little did I know of the vast and various areas and projects with which PWRDF is involved.

My desire to get involved began at an annual youth conference for Nova Scotia/PEI Diocese. During one of the sessions I wrote letters to the government informing them about the state of Pikangikum, the remote Native community in Northern Ontario where PWRDF is funding a clean water project. I was educated about the troubles the people of Pikangikum face daily and the lack of help from the government. Learning about Pikangikum made me need to get involved, too. I realized I had to do more, and being a justgeneration.ca Diocesan Ambassador was the answer.  

I have always been engaged in groups, clubs and activities where I can help others. It is important to me to step in where I see injustice or struggle. I care about the situation of others regardless of who they are and where they come from.

What I love about PWRDF so much is that it isn’t only temporary relief that is provided. This organization focuses on ways that a community can sustain itself. They work with partners to understand the needs of the people to form a long-term solution. PWRDF does not just focus on the short term, but looks for ways to help communities become self-sustaining.

Lastly, PWRDF is a faith-based organization that does not just focus on people of similar faiths. The organization does not choose who to help based on spiritual beliefs, despite being an Anglican organization. I love PWRDF and felt called to get involved because of its desire to strive for justice and peace and to respect everyone. I am an advocate for positive change so working with PWRDF is a perfect partnership.