For the first time ever, the Diocese of Hereford is to launch an appeal for funds during Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas.

Funds raised are earmarked for projects in Tanzania, which is officially linked to the Diocese. The Archbishop of Tanzania will be in the county for the launch on November 10.

"We have never asked for money during Advent before, although it is quite common in other dioceses," said the Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis.

"Despite the financial problems here, people in the developing world are even harder hit by global turmoil as they do not have any back-up at all. Tanzania is one of the ten poorest countries in the whole world.

"As we buy Christmas presents for our families and friends, it is a good time to give a Christmas present for those in need in Tanzania, too."

The three projects for support have been chosen by the bishops of the Three Tanzanian Dioceses with which the Diocese of Hereford is twinned. The appeal seeks to offer help to some of the poorest on earth, offering them hope in these times which may be difficult for all of us, but which are life-threatening for them. The link between the three is education.

The projects include a food security programme in the drought hit area of Masasi in the south of the country. Almost all farming activities are done by hand, so to improve the level of food crop production, the Diocese wants to procure oxen and ox-implements such as ox-ploughs, ox-harrows and ox-carts, and the training of groups of farmers in their use.

In the Diocese of Tanga, rooms have been made available at the Nursery School in the Cathedral compound and also in the Diocesan offices to be used for the training of some young people in electrical, plumbing and carpentry skills, sewing and dressmaking; they plan to develop a Vocational Training Centre for young adults.

In the capital, Dar-es-Salaam, Archbishop John Sepeku Secondary School, which opened in 2004, needs funding for new buildings, facilities, books and educational materials. The Church wants to see the school offer the best possible education to young people so that they may provide Christian leadership in their country, the 7th poorest country in the world.

Hazel Gould, who chairs the Council for World Partnership and Development in the Diocese said all three projects deserved support.

"We have thought it through carefully and think that just in advance of the start of the Year of the Child 2009 is a good time to have a go at raising the cash needed," she said.