PREFER Rwanda
The one-woman army that is Cathy Emmerson is continuing her outstanding work in the disrict of Ruhengeri, which is ravaged by AIDS. Following the ‘Buy A Goat’ programme, a micro-finance project to help rural families and an orphanage, she built a school for the local orphans, and is now adding a kitchen which will provide a daily meal for the many who arrive hungry. There will also be space for a soap-making project to help the local women generate income. Cathy is a heroine!

Centro Cristiano Cultural de Guatemala Guatemala
For five years, our parishioners Con and Maria McCarthy have regularly abandoned the comforts of Den Haag to work among the poor of Guatemala City, helping to create employment opportunities for the young people there. Following last year’s inauguration of a workshop where the older boys can be taught a trade, our 2009 contribution is funding the teacher’s wages.

Kiga Kuku Tanzania
‘Self-help and sustainability’ are the keywords in this poultry-farming project for the women of Kigamboni. The area is underdeveloped with few employment opportunities for women, so along with generating income and improving nutrition, this initiative is fostering community spirit and raising the self-esteem of the participants. The project also has a charitable role, donating eggs to a local good cause every month. Orphanages will be the prime beneficiaries.

Neary Khmer Cambodia
This is a small non-governmental organization working amongst the poorest of the poor in the floating villages along the Mekong River near Siem Reap, where there are no health facilities. NK are providing water filters to 116 families (800-900 persons) who have no access to clean drinking water. The families are also trained how to use and maintain the filters to ensure maximum durability. The health benefits of clean water are considerable as water-borne diseases in untreated water are a major source of sickness and even death.

Together Against Impunity Rwanda
As Rwanda gradually recovers from it’s disastrous civil war, there is still much to be done to ensure human rights for all, especially victims of genocide and crime. T.A.I.* works at local community levels to inform victims of their rights and to promote these rights among government authorities to prevent abuse of power. To help their Victims Rights Community Education Program reach remote areas outside the public transport network, they are hiring a vehicle, and we are participating in covering their costs.
*(a group of Lawyers, HR activities, & University Lecturers)

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions (Ndondol Community) Senegal
At present, the 2500 villagers of Mbomboye, 150km from Dakar in the driest part of Senegal, have to walk 3km to draw water. This project will bring piped water to them, and have the secondary advantage of reducing water-borne diseases.

Good Hope Development Fund South Africa
In the archdiocese of Cape Town, the St. Kizito’s Children’s Programme was initiated in 2004 to help orphans and vulnerable children – not only within the Catholic community, but others who also suffer from abuse, the effects of abject poverty and often, the effects of South Africa’s AIDS epidemic. Sponsors Wim & Annemarie have visited and seen the work in progress. This year’s project is bringing school uniforms to 90 children who would otherwise be unable to go to school.

Vidya Jyothi Ashram, Londa. India
Education has been a luxury for most of the people of Londa, in Karnataka state – they simply cannot afford it. The Sisters of Little Flowers of Bethany have been at work in this area for 60 years: the Vidya Joshi Ashram is a home where children also receive schooling, healthcare and an opportunity to develop that their families cannot provide. Our donation will enable the sisters to take in a further 20 children.

Foundation The Friends of Debra, The Netherlands
Epidermolysis Bullosa is an incurable genetic skin disease, that results in blisters from the slightest physical contact. As such, children who suffer from E.B. are at risk of pain and injury from even a parent’s hug. The Friends will use our donation to acquire Educational equipment and clothes made from special non-irritant materials.

Lelakapa Foundation Indonesia
The government is gradually introducing nursery schools in the province of Kupang, West Timor, but many parents cannot afford to take advantage of this. With our donation, the Lelakapa Foundation is helping 40 children aged 3-5 from poor families in the village of Fatululi by providing them with schooling, a meal three times week and a weekly health education talk for their parents.

Fr Aaron Ekwu Memorial Nursery/Primary School Nigeria
The area around Owerre-Ezuhala in Anambra State is underdeveloped and lacking in many basic amenities. Education is the key to a better future for the children: the school is their stepping-stone to a better life. The building is also used by the community for health seminars, especially talks on AIDS prevention. The diocese subsidises the school fees for the families who cannot afford ($2.50 per term), but despite this conditions are grim. Following the roof repairs and provision of chairs last year, we are helping the school construct toilets to replace the pits they have used thus far.

Catholic Welfare and Development South Africa
There are widespread social problems among the disadvantaged communities around Cape Town - domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, to name but three. During the Parish trip to S. Africa in 2007, sponsor Pam saw the work of CWD’s network of volunteers who advise and counsel those worst affected. We are again pleased to be able to help with the funding of training and professional assistance from psychologists for the organisation’s 14 Counsellors who go out into 17 Parishes of Cape Town Archdiocese.

Zaidi Centre Kenya
Kenya is in need of healing and reconciliation following the inter-tribal bloodshed of 2007. The Zaidi Centre focuses on those aged 18-35 and has three aims: development of spirituality and life skills, collaboration and friendship with others of different ethnic and social backgrounds, and encouraging the habit of reaching out to the needy. Our contribution is helping defray the costs of a group who will go and work in a slum area and in a home for disadvantaged children.

Puntian Academy Philippines
It is rare for young women in the rural districts of Quezon to get access to education in technical subjects, but this project is providing scholarships to 15 who will have a 3-semester computer training at Puntian Academy and thus become eligible for employment in commerce or government service. This should encourage rural families to see the benefits of equal education opportunities and allow the young women to reach their potential.

San Egidio, The Hague The Netherlands
Meals for the homeless and food for families on minimum incomes are the aims of this project, which operates in the deprived Schilderswijk district. The work is carried out by COS parishioners who also provide Saturday morning activities for children of the families concerned.

Healthy Vine Trust Uganda
This is a self-help malaria reduction project carried out by the community of Sekamuli with specialist help from Jay & Pamela Dennett of Voorschoten, who personally fund much of it. They are living in Uganda for the next 3-5 years to see it through. With a team of 15, they promote hygiene and work to reduce water-borne diseases such as roundworm, dysentery and diarrhoea. With our help, they are buying equipment and training community health workers.

Holy Family Catholic Church Welfare Clinic Nigeria
Medical treatment is not free in Nigeria. The village of Woji in Rivers State, has managed to build it’s own clinic to help the many who cannot afford it. They have an employed nurse and visiting volunteer doctors, but they need drugs, medical equipment and hospital consumables. Our donation will help with these costs and payment of the nurses salaries.

Farm School OCADES Burkino Faso
The school is training 30 young men and women in farming techniques that are adapted to the conditions of their own area of Burkina Faso. After a year of learning crop raising and animal husbandry, they receive assistance to begin professional life in their home areas. This benefits their communities as well as providing employment and assisting rural development.

Ocean Training and Promotion (Gardo School) Somalia
Somalia’s recent war-torn past is well-known. Conditions for the orphans and abandoned children of Gardo city are grim, but the school supported by this charity provides hope and stability for 324 youngsters. Our contribution will allow them to purchase 32 benches and 16 tables

Spartaschool Romania
The Wolfert van Borselen High School in Rotterdam gives it’s 5th year pupils the chance to participate in a large scale volunteer project outside Holland. This year, they are helping a school for the handicapped (the Spartaschool) at Terchirghiol in Romania with renovations, repairs and re-equipping. Our contribution will cover replacement of playground equipment.