Sister Marilyn of Kumbo, Cameroon sent this message of thanks and appreciation for the benefits received and the life-changing effects on one family of the Chalice sponsorship program.

“ This morning I met one of our mothers on the road and I could only marvel---real resurrection.  When I remember how she looked and how she was when she first came to me for help I can only marvel and thank God that we were able to get sponsors (2 children will write their GCE Ordinary level this year) because it gave her hope.  She has gone back to the evening school and intends to write the same exams as her children next June and she has a small job in the mornings.  She is HIV+ so can no longer work her farm but she is doing very well.  CHALICE banefactors are to be thanked for the change.  She is only one of MANY whose lives have changed dramatically.  Blessings on all of you”.  Marilyn

These ladies, all mothers of sponsored children in the Visa site, have started their own small businesses, empowering them to become self-sufficient and better able to care for their families. 

M. Nagarraju is the son of  Mr. M. Kanakaraju (left the family) and Mrs. M. Appalanarasamma. He has one elder sister named Padmavathi. They are from a very poor family. Nagarajus’s father Mr. Kanakaraju left the family and married another woman and stays away from the family. Thereafter, Appalanarasamma is looking after the family. They live in a single-roomed thatched hut in a slum. Appalanarasamma is working as a house maid in nearby apartments. She is earning a monthly income of Rs. 2000.00. Padmavathi, sister of Raju, is doing part time job in a mobile phone shop. Nagaraju got sponsorship in Coastal Sponsor ship in 2003 ---  when he was studying in --- standard. He passed his 10th grade in 2006---- in the middle of sever financial difficulties in the family. He got a part time work as a news paper boy when he was studying in 10th grade. He had to go for the work at 3 am. He  used to finish his work in an our and went to school regularly. He took mathematics for his intermediate and passed with high first class in 2008. After passing the intermediate he tried for a job in many companies and establishments. But is effort was in vein. At this time Coastal sponsor site was encouraging its sponsored children to go for job oriented courses after 10th grade instead of  joining for intermediate. As per this guideline, Nagarju joined for MLT course. ( Multi Purpose Lab Technician ). It is a two- year courses. He passed his first year with first class. Now he got a part time job in hospital. He attends his collage in the evening and goes for the job in the morning. He is getting a salary of  Rs. 3000.00 per month. This is really a great help to this family. Nagarju is also a hockey player. He represented Andhra Predesh state twice. He could achieve all these victories due to AFAI/ Chalice sponsorship program

Kids Care Base (CAP Sub Site) Final Report.

In the new construction Kids Care Base, not only are many sponsored children receiving benefits in education and nutrition but also the sponsored children's parents have a place for their regular meetings ,workshops and training talks.

Since January 2009, the sponsored children have been able to write letters to their sponsors and receive their benefits in education, e.g. stationery, shoes and uniforms, in the new building where they have a special office to receive these benefits and write their letters.

Also, the building has a special area for the dining room, where the children eat their daily meals. It also has a room used as a warehouse where food is stored before being distributed or used for cooking.

There is also a room which is used for the distribution of medical supplies to those who need them.

The upper floor of the building is like a small flat that will be used by the Sub Site Director. It has a bedroom and a bathroom.

Currently, the electricity connection is being arranged and hopefully in one month's time the problem will be solved.  When the building has an electricity connection the other services such as medical and psychological care will also operate  in the building.

Continuity of Canadian Catholic Support in Guatemala

By MaryAnne McKinnon, International Manager, Latin America

In November we travelled to Guatemala to visit our partners, the Terciaria Capuchina Sisters, who administer Chalice’s Sponsorship Program in Teculutan, Totonicapan and Champerico.  Until recently the Guatemalan Sites were administered by a Quebec organization called FAPAG (La Fondation les Amis du Pere Armand Gagne).  Our friends and colleagues at FAPAG introduced Chalice’s Sponsorship Program to Guatemala in 2002 and while their role in Chalice sponsorship has transitioned, FAPAG will continue its long-standing relationship of support with the Sisters in Guatemala in other areas of need.

Little did we know until we arrived in Guatemala, but the Terciaria Capuchina’s relationship with Canadian Catholic organizations pre-dates both FAPAG and Chalice.   They first connected with the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Hamilton, Ontario in 1979.   The Sisters of Saint Joseph had been working in Teculutan, where they built and administered a school, dispensary and nutrition centre, as well as providing spiritual leadership and catechesis in the community.  Their approach was to build infrastructure and offer programs, while working with local individuals and groups to develop the community.  After years of toil and dedication, once all was well-established, they would then look for a local congregation with a shared vision to hand everything over to.  In this case, it was the Terciaria Capuchinas.  The same thing happened with the Canadian Immaculate Conception Missionary Sisters in 1981 in Totonicapan and Champerico in 1982.  When visiting all three communities, we heard wonderful stories about how the generous Canadian Sisters left not only the community infrastructure like schools and clinics, but also the houses they built for their communities – completely furnished (even with the dishes and sheets!) for the Terciaria Capuchinas.

Sponsor Site Director and Terciaria Capuchina, Sister Isabel Vega Zuniga, shares that “these brushstrokes that interweave the Terciaria Capuchina Congregation, in one form or another with Canada, has allowed us to be promoters of a better future for many children, teens and their families in Guatemala.  This has happened not only by offering bread to eat, but the bread of Jesus as well.”

At Chalice we are proud to be part of such a long-standing tradition of the Canadian Catholic Community accompanying our brothers and sisters in Guatemala.

"My daughter was a like a dead person  laying  on the floor alone at home  and you have given her life," said the mother of  Reshmi, from our sponsor site in Kerala, India

     Reshmi is a 15 year MR child with multiple disability. She is from very poor family. Her father is a heart patient. Sister is studying. Mother goes for daily wages work. Reshmi was not able to go to school. She was simply laying at home because she could not walk. Her parents were not able to pay the school fees and bus charge. Whenever her sister goes to school. She used to cry saying that she wanted to go to school. They were feeling sorry for her daughter because Reshmi's mother's income was not sufficient for medicine and the education for both. They came to know about our special school and approached me. We took her for sponsorship program. 

          It is only through sponsorship she is able to come to school. It was a long time dream for Reshmi and her parents to sent her to school. They were thinking how can they send her to school. Now Reshmi is very happy, all her educational needs are met through sponsorship.It is only through some ones sacrifice that Resmi's long awaited dream came true. 

          She has improved a lot in her social behaviour and curriculum activity. She learned to read and write. Now like any other children, she too is going to school. Her parents are happy about her improvement. Not only her parents her village people and teachers in the school also are very happy. 

          See how one persons sacrifice made the people happy.

Sr. Rani

HMM

Madurai

Good morning

Sister Myriam Vallejos, Project Director in Santiago.

Sra Mary Anne, International Manager of the Project and daughter

Sr. Pedro Gordon, Community Projects Director

Authorities

Parents and Companions

When I was asked to give this speech I thought of how to define in simple words what it has meant for me to belong to this important project.  What I have learned is that there are people with a noble heart that are ready to give help, without having any personal interest, to children and to people like us.  This is the main inspiration I have found in this project and it has helped me to go ahead with effort and hope.

When I receive the letters from my sponsor Rose Marie and her family it brings a special feeling to me, because without knowing me they show their concern, care and constant love. By being like that they become part of my family and I know there is a person that is physically far but her heart is very close to me.

The Project is a great support for my mother and I and we can only thank God and each one of you gathered here today and to our sponsors that make possible the development of this undertaking, with the unconditional help they provide.

May the Lord give abundant blessings to all of you in return and may this project be an example to many others, that bring a smile and hope to many children like us.

I say good bye with love,

Valeria

Two Lives Changed Forever ...

Cheri, who lives in Mississauga Ontario, was in Gil Gil Kenya as part of the 2009 Kencan medical mission.  The purpose of the mission was to bring medical, dental, and optical assistance to hundreds of families in Kenya, in partnership with Chalice and Mikinduri Children of Hope.

While Cheri was in Kenya she made the decision to sponsor a child through Chalice.  Simultaneously, Naomi, her mother and six siblings were completing their 7 km trek to the medical mission.  Naomi and her sister Beth arrived at the mission in a "critical" situation due to severe malnutrition and dehydration. 

When Cheri was informed of the girls arrival and their grave condition she immediately went to see them.   Naomi and Beth were semi responsive and lying quietly when Cheri arrived.  Shortly after greeting the children Naomi climbed up onto Cheri's lap.  For the next two hours Cheri talked to Naomi while giving her water and little bits of food.  Two hours later the little child was sitting up looking around, eventually smiling and playing with her stuffed doll that had been brought from Canada.

That day a bond of love and caring was fused between Cheri and Naomi, a bond that will last a lifetime.  Cheri was able to share the love of Christ with a child in need, and change Naomi's future from one of desperation to one filled with hope and love.

Flodia's story

Some of you may remember the story of Flodia Mbosing, which appeared in our Newsletter some years ago.  For those who were not members of the Chalice family at the time, Flodia suffers from sickle cell anemia and also from osteo-myelitis.  Both are very serious illnesses and she has been close to death many times.  Personally, I believe that she has already peeked into heaven and knows things that the rest of us do not.  When she is not in excruciating pain, she sparkles.  For years her mother carried her on her back and finally in 2002, both legs were amputated above the knees.  Her dream at that time was to go to school and, thanks be to God, when they came to our area it was possible to go in her wheelchair.  She obtained her First School Leaving Certificate and is now attending the Government Technical High School as a special student, following some subjects in the Home Economics Department.

Since 2002 Flodia has wanted to stand up but the artificial legs with which I was familiar were VERY heavy.  When I learned that lighter ones are being made in another part of the country we went to find out if she could benefit.  The people at the Centre were impressed by her attitude and her determination.  When we left in early September they were very happy for her but sad to see her go…she brought so much life to everyone.  Now she goes to school in her wheelchair but is mobile in the classroom and inside her house.  As she put it, “Now I feel like a person”.  All those who know her are very happy also.  She is deeply grateful to those who helped make this miracle happen.  Some of you are among them.  Blessings on each of you.

Sister Marilyn von Zuben CND

Project Kumbo

Cameroon