DownloadMay 18, 2009 issue
Funding shortfall puts CPT projects at risk
By Carol Rose Christian Peacemaker TeamsCHICAGO — Christian Peacemaker Teams may need to suspend and scale back peacemaking work because funds are low.
Last year the U.S. dollar was down, costs were up — especially international flights — and donations from individuals and congregations dropped 9 percent. This led to a budget deficit of $324,000 for CPT.
On every team, CPT members are drastically reducing expenses. Some have offered to work full time without pay or with deep cuts to subsistence stipends. International air-travel prices have decreased for the time being, and the U.S. dollar has become stronger.
Deep cuts in project work and a freeze on growth of the Peacemaker Corps could be avoided if CPT’s 2009 income is $250,000 above last year’s income.
The Palestine team has worked with partners envisioning renewed work in the old city of Al Khalil (Hebron) while it partners with communities around the village of at-Tuwani. That work will begin with minimal staffing if CPT has the funds.
A dozen Colombians are ready to start CPT training. CPT also plans to conduct trainings in Chicago and the United Kingdom this year.
Yet, CPT has frozen the number of members of the Peacemaker Corps who work at least half time and therefore are eligible to receive stipends for their work. This can be reversed if CPT receives more funds.
As of mid-May CPT can still increase its number of reservists — trained peacemakers who serve from two to 12 weeks each year and raise their own funds.
According to CPT members who have done exploratory work in Congo this past winter, the time is ripe in the Great Lakes region of Africa for the work of nonviolence. Local groups will continue to do that work well under discouraging conditions; they have said they feel encouraged by the support and presence of outside groups such as CPT.
However, CPT needs funds to send more CPT members there.
CPT Iraq accompanies Kurdish Iraqi villagers displaced by Turkish bombing. The team has taken significant money-saving measures, including moving closer to villages that are under bombardment in the less expensive border area.
Through those measures, CPT hopes to extend support for this project through the end of the year. More income will be needed to continue beyond that point.
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