April 28, 2023
News
Traditionally, churches take up a collection on the Sixth Sunday of Easter to help persecuted Christians and others in need. Last year alone it raised nearly 9 million crowns. Thanks to the generosity of donors, help reaches thousands of people in need every year. For example, people returning home after the war in Iraq, or Lebanese who find themselves in a difficult situation. Join the collection this year on 14th May.
Rebuilding war-ravaged homes
The Nineveh region in northern Iraq is one of the most fertile in the country, and it is also a center for Iraqi Christians. Much of the region has been devastated by the war, and the refugees who are now returning to their homes are rebuilding their homes and livelihoods virtually from scratch. This is where Caritas Czech Republic is helping them thanks to the financial support of Czech Christians who have contributed to the church collection. Twenty women in need participated in business training and received funds to start their own businesses. Dozens of farmers received practical training on how to farm in a changing climate, also 24 large-scale irrigation systems were installed, and other agricultural equipment, including drought-resistant seeds, provided. "When the area was liberated from the Islamic State, we ourselves had no way of regaining what we had lost. I learned a lot during the training and now I can provide for my family's basic needs and start farming again," says Mr. Khalil, one of the farmers supported. "We also helped vulnerable youth to access education through scholarships and transport allowances from church collection," adds Msgr. Jan Graubner, President of the Czech Bishops' Conference.
Medical care for the poor
Thanks to contributions to the church collection, Caritas Czech Republic also helped in Lebanon. The country has been hit by one of the worst economic crises in its history, with almost 80 percent of the population living on the poverty line. For many Lebanese, even routine medical treatment or the purchase of medicines is becoming a luxury. "I couldn't afford to buy medicine on my own," says a teary-eyed Eileen, a 76-year-old Lebanese woman who has been hit hard by the crisis and now depends on donations and assistance provided by Caritas. In addition to medicines, donations from Czech Christians have helped to provide 4 mobile ultrasound machines and 4 drug counting machines to speed up the handling of medicines and prevent contamination of pills.
Supporting other people in need
Funds donated in the church collection help both Christians and other needy people in the world. It is possible to multiply the money to help people in need thanks to contributions from large organisations such as the UN, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the EU. This year, for example, the proceeds of the church collection will help the elderly in Moldova. This poorest country is facing a shortage of medical staff and many, especially the elderly, have limited access to the care they need. One solution is telemedicine, and it is the development of telemedicine that the collection will support. Similarly, it will help people living in refugee settlements in Zambia to ensure that they are able to grow enough good quality, nutritious food for themselves and their families. Support will also go to Mongolia to support young people in their start in life.
Church collection
The Church Collection will take place on Sunday 14 May in churches across the Czech Republic. Join this fundraising event and help thousands of persecuted Christians and other people in need around the world. Thank you for your generosity and support.
