2003

Wednesday 13th August 2003
Catholic Mission - Supporting Liberians
As the hope for an end to the violence draws closer in Liberia with the resignation yesterday of former President Charles Taylor, Catholic Mission continues to support projects for children.

Catholic Mission has given more than US$40,000 to support children's projects in the war-torn West African nation in the past year. The 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. The children are provided accommodation, food, love and care. Catholic Mission provides funds for the children's education and health care.

In 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 over 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.

Education is the single most important factor that contributes to national economic growth and is instrumental in breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. It is crucial in empowering individuals and transforming societies. 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 provided funding for medical care. In the remote areas of Gbarnga, Catholic Mission 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.

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. In war-torn Liberia today, this vision has never been so relevant.

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