Catholic Mission aid boost

Sydney
24 August 2003

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Catholic Mission aid boost

By Chris Lindsay

Catholic Mission is expected to make more money available from its international emergency fund to support children’s projects in the wartorn West African nation of Liberia.

“Catholic Mission believes actions for children are a crucial part of proclaiming Jesus in our world today and a means of achieving the vision ‘life for all’, says Catholic Mission Australia’s director, Fr Terry Bell.

“In wartorn Liberia today, this vision has never been so relevant.”

Fr Terry will travel to Rome next week for a Catholic Mission meeting at which the situation in Liberia is almost certain to be discussed.

“I will know more after that meeting when we respond to the changing situation in Liberia,” he said. “The current funding was approved at an international meeting in May.”

This funding has been used for a variety of projects including, education, health care and rehabilitation.

“One such project is for children who have ended up on the streets, orphans of war and casualties of conflict,” he said. “The children are provided accommodation, food, love and care. Catholic Mission also provides funds for the children’s education and health care.

“In the capital, Monrovia, funding from Catholic Mission has helped with the construction of three village schools in purchasing concrete, roof tiles and timber boards.

“Each of the three schools will have six classrooms and more than 600 children in the area will have access to an education. This is a huge opportunity for children in a country where around 85 per cent of the population is illiterate.”

Fr Terry said education is the single most important factor that contributes to national economic growth in poorer countries and is instrumental in breaking the cycle of poverty and violence.

“It is crucial in empowering individuals and transforming societies,” he said. “Projects for children funded by Catholic Mission aim at providing all children with an opportunity for education. Education can bring about lasting peace.”

Along with projects for education, Catholic Mission has also provided funding for medical care.

In the remote Gbarnga area, it has provided assistance with medical doctors in two diocesan health centres.

“They are the only access to medical help for the children of the peasant population surviving on the fringe,” Fr Terry said.

Catholic Mission has given more than $62,000 to Liberia in the past year.