The Diocese of Hereford's first ever Advent appeal for funds for projects in Tanzania was launched this week in the presence of the the Archbishop of Tanzania, the Most Rev Valentino Mokiwa.

The appeal is seeking to raise funds towards developmental projects in the world's seventh poorest country, including feeding programmes and agricultural support.

Archbishop Mokiwa declared the appeal open at the diocesan office on Monday by cutting a celebratory cake decorated with the Tanzanian flag.

"We hope people locally will be as generous as they can, despite current financial storms," said the Bishop of Hereford, the Rt Rev Anthony Priddis who joined Archbishop Valentino for the launch.

"Money goes a lot further in Tanzania and we hope that this appeal will help three different projects in one of the poorest countries in the world."

Among the projects to benefit from the funds raised are a food security programme in the drought-hit southern region of Masasi, where the diocese wants to procure oxen and ox-implements and to train groups of farmers in their use.

In the Diocese of Tanga, young people will receive training in electrical, plumbing and carpentry skills, sewing and dressmaking.

Funds will also go towards the Archbishop John Sepeku Secondary School, which opened in the Tanzanian capital Dar-es-Salaam in 2004 and needs help to finance new buildings, facilities, books and educational materials. The Anglican Church in Tanzania wants to the school to become a first-rate education provider in the hopes of raising young people into the next generation of great Christian leaders for their country.

The Archbishop will head to London next week where he will attend a conference hosted by Anglican development agency USPG before returning to Tanzania.

The fund will remain open for gifts until January 2009.