Children Helping Children
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Giving Kids a Chance
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Supplying Basic Nutrition
Meet James Moonga, a fourth-grade student at the St. Charles Lwanga School in Monze, Zambia and a member of the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA). James is eating a lunch of cabbage, beans and nsima, a traditional food of his country. The food for James and his fellow MCA members was provided by the local Church through sacrifices made by MCA member around the world! James is open-hearted boy tells us that last year, he and his fellow students across Zambia were able to sacrifice from their own poverty for their brothers and sisters in the missions around the world through the Missionary Childhood Association. Note that James is proudly wearing his World Mission Rosary!
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Preparing for Sacraments
In Sri Lanka, students present themselves at the Cathedral to receive the sacrament of Confirmation from their bishop. The lit candles they carry signify the fire of the faith that is growing in their country, with help from the Missionary Childhood Association. Representing only about 7% of Sri Lanka’s population, Catholics and the missionaries who accompany them on their faith journey are a growing sign of God’s love. Though small in number, they are rich in faith and sent help to the MCA General Fund last year to lift up other children as they prepare to receive the sacraments of the Church.
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Educating Future Generations
These children in northwest Ecuador are smiling because they receive an education thanks help from the Missionary Childhood Association. The students of the Niño Jesus School in Borbon are learning skills and ideas that will help them lift themselves out of poverty. The missionaries who teach them also giving them a solid faith foundation. These young ones may one day lead the Church of Ecuador! Although they receive support from MCA, like their peers in Zambia and Sri Lanka, they also sacrifice. Last year Catholic Ecuadorian children made sure to give to MCA so that other children could learn that God loves them.
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Burundi
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MCA Helping the Children of Burundi
Burundi is a small landlocked country in the African Great Lakes region in central Eastern Africa, and based on gross national income - $270 - it is the world’s poorest country. Many factors contribute to a nation's wealth, including its natural resources, educational system, political stability, and national debt.
Though she wouldn’t put it in so many words, Laumy Luncha Alda Igiraneza, 18, is uniquely skilled to make her country a better place for all, by inspiring one person at a time.
For years Laumy participated in the activities of the national Missionary Childhood Association (MCA), known locally as Holy Childhood, and then moved on to lead her parish’s youth group. But the seed of leadership was planted by one of the 336 animators who accompany some 256,000 children in the 228 parishes Burundi has.
During her years at MCA, she said, “I became conscious of my human dignity, became self-confident, aware of God’s love for me and all His people.”
“I learned how to live well with others: my parents, neighbors, siblings,” she said. And in a country marred by widespread poverty, corruption, instability, authoritarianism, and illiteracy, Laumy also learned that it is not enough to work hard to improve oneself.
“MCA taught me not to join people in their bad behavior, and that it is not right to leave them behind either,” she said. “Instead, we are called to lead them in change, see how we can help them see the errors of their ways, and lead a life in accordance with God’s plan for us, coming together in unity, as a community, and praying for those people of bad behavior so that they convert, because God cannot say no to the prayer of children!”
As Jesus taught us, when two or more gather in His name, He is there. During this Advent season, as we prepare for the Second Coming of Our Lord, can you and your loved ones join the children of Burundi in prayer?
Stories provided by the National Pontifical Mission Societies -
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