18th January 2016

Dear Timnit,

Thank you for your letter. I can only imagine how hard it is to observe the suffering of family and friends, and the people, in your home country. Thank you for the eloquence with which you have written. It seems that you are both gifted and are taking full advantage of the education offered to you. You have written a very moving appeal.

As you may know, I am a trustee of CAFOD and I am pleased to say that CAFOD has a good number of partners in that region and is helping in humanitarian relief. CAFOD’s advocacy work will be assisting people, both in Eritrea and beyond its borders, to put pressure on the government to honour its human rights responsibilities. Unfortunately, these efforts take time and there are frustrations all along the way. However, you can be sure that work is being done and the matter is far from being forgotten.

I believe that you have a significant role, as an ambassador. As a young refugee, you have an important profile in your school. Your own accounts of what you have seen and what has happened to you will inevitably speak loudly to other students in All Hallows. Those students will be aware of the suffering of your people and that will – in whatever ways – lead them to action. It might seem a small gesture but it will in fact have a ripple effect that will gather momentum. The more people know about injustice, the more the energy and insistence for change.

I have sent your letter to CAFOD Head Office in London and hope to have advice from them

With my best wishes to you, for your hopes for your country and for your happiness in your new home here

Bishop John Arnold