SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Missionhurst was able to provide support to three Socio-Economic development projects in the amount of $11,258. Some typical examples appear below.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Kinshasa: Under the supervision of Br. Louis Lokumu Boyele, wells in four mission areas were restored, providing these communities with a reliable supply of clean water. Kasayi: A reforestation project under the supervision of Fr. Robertus Khalifah will bring the community together to manage a sustainable forest, while helping to control soil erosion (which often creates dangerously deep ravines) and floods, keep roads passable, and provide an abundant source of cooking fuel for the future.

Brazil

Writing from his parish of Santo Agostino, in a corner of Rio de Janeiro, Fr. Weedney Andre described the grim poverty in a slum where most single mothers are unemployed and children are forced to drop out of school. The neighborhood is so dangerous the police frequently cordon off the area. Unfortunately, many single mothers and their families are trapped with nowhere else to go. The city is host to many sewing and textile factories, but these single mothers lacked sewing skills. Fr. Weedney appealed for help building a training center and buying sewing machines. The training center will give 150 single mothers the opportunity to learn sewing, embroidery, and crocheting—skills that can qualify them for factory jobs and allow them to earn a decent living. Even before Fr. Weedney’s letter was on the way, women were eagerly signing up for the training classes.

IN THE CONGO, COLLECTING WATER CAN TAKE TWO HOURS A DAY. THESE WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE RELIEVED THAT THIS WATER WON'T MAKE THEM SICK.

IN BRAZIL, MORE THAN 1,000 INNOCENT CHILDREN LIKE THESE LIVE WITH UNEMPLOYED SINGLE MOTHERS IN THE CROWDED SLUMS AROUND RIO DE JANEIRO.