Stories from the places where we help

 

Patrick from Zambia is showing that quality animal feed can be affordable and he’s helping other farmers in his community
September 22, 2025 News

Patrick from Zambia is showing that quality animal feed can be affordable and he’s helping other farmers in his community

 “I used to think only about keeping my own livestock alive. Today my goal is to help other farmers as well,” says Patrick, who turns crop residues into low-cost feed with help from Caritas Czech Republic. 

My family has been farming this land for centuries, says Wamedh, a farmer from Iraq concerned about the impact of climate change
September 15, 2025 News

My family has been farming this land for centuries, says Wamedh, a farmer from Iraq concerned about the impact of climate change

The fertile Nineveh Plains in northern Iraq have long been the heart of agriculture. For generations, families here have worked the land and relied on what they could grow. But today, that’s no longer easy – rainfall is scarce, the climate is changing, and farmers are worried about the future. One of them is Wamedh, a farmer from the Christian town of Qaraqosh. Caritas Czech Republic helped him adapt to the changing climate. 

Farmer Everisto in Zambia faces drought caused by the climate crisis. Caritas Czech Republic helped him cope with the challenges
September 11, 2025 News

Farmer Everisto in Zambia faces drought caused by the climate crisis. Caritas Czech Republic helped him cope with the challenges

Everisto has been farming in Zambia for several decades, providing for both himself and his family through his hard work. However, his crops have been increasingly threatened by drought. Thanks to training from Caritas Czech Republic, Everisto is now better equipped to cope with the effects of climate change. 

Caritas Czech Republic gave me the support I needed, says Mahmoud after completing job training program in Mosul, Iraq
September 4, 2025 News

Caritas Czech Republic gave me the support I needed, says Mahmoud after completing job training program in Mosul, Iraq

In the aisles of a shopping mall in Mosul, Iraq, Mahmoud moved steadily between shelves and deliveries, overseeing the sale of chips and snacks. Like many young people in Iraq, Mahmoud once faced unemployment and uncertainty. But thanks to an on-the-job training programme supported by Caritas Czech Republic, he found a stable job and a clearer path forward. 

Koji and Kisimba met in a refugee settlement in Zambia. Now they are best friends and business partners
August 28, 2025 News

Koji and Kisimba met in a refugee settlement in Zambia. Now they are best friends and business partners

Koji and Kisimba are two young farmers who met in the Meheba refugee settlement. Today they are not only best friends but also entrepreneurs building a thriving farm together. Like many other farmers in Zambia, they grapple with the effects of climate change, especially prolonged droughts. Thanks to an irrigation system provided by Caritas Czech Republic, their yields have improved, and they are already considering expanding their farm. 

How Samira from Iraq built a future for her family from her kitchen
August 21, 2025 News

How Samira from Iraq built a future for her family from her kitchen

n the quiet streets of Bartella, Iraq, the smell of freshly baked kleicha and simmering dolma drifts from Samira’s home. At 60 years old, Samira has turned her lifelong love of traditional Iraqi cooking into a thriving home-based business after receiving support from Caritas Czech Republic. But it was not always like this. 

"I no longer remember what food tastes like," said the girl in Gaza. Her words echo the reality humanitarian workers face every day
August 19, 2025 Gaza Strip

"I no longer remember what food tastes like," said the girl in Gaza. Her words echo the reality humanitarian workers face every day

Since May, Ola has been coordinating social work in southern Gaza. Despite her own exhaustion and painful losses, she helps every day those who have lost their homes, suffer from hunger, or need psychological support. Under the programme funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and fundraiser Caritas for Gaza, Caritas provides basic healthcare, medicine distribution, crisis intervention, and training of local social workers and psychologists. We are among the few organisations with staff on the ground in the Gaza Strip, working to ensure that people there do not lose hope or access to support—a commitment we honour and reflect on the World Humanitarian Day.

How Emad from Iraq built a future for himself after our job training programme
August 11, 2025 News

How Emad from Iraq built a future for himself after our job training programme

In the busy aisles of a shopping mall in Mosul, Iraq, Emad moves confidently between neatly stacked shelves and rows of textiles. Just a few years ago, Emad was one of many young people in Iraq struggling with unemployment and a lack of opportunities. Today, at 24 years old, he manages the textiles department in a supermarket, which he was able to do thanks to an on-the-job training programme supported by Caritas Czech Republic. 

Penelope is building a successful business in Zambia and aims to create job opportunities for women and young people
July 28, 2025 News

Penelope is building a successful business in Zambia and aims to create job opportunities for women and young people

Starting a successful business is never easy, especially when you are facing challenging living conditions. However, Penelope’s story proves that with determination and support, great things can be achieved. She works as the director and manager of her business, which, thanks to the help of Caritas Czech Republic, is rapidly attracting more and more customers. 

Savings group helps fulfil dreams: Nineteen-year-old Nandima from Zambia raises chickens and saves for university
July 24, 2025 News

Savings group helps fulfil dreams: Nineteen-year-old Nandima from Zambia raises chickens and saves for university

Nineteen-year-old Nandima started a small poultry farm after finishing school. Thanks to the savings group in his village, he can regularly set aside money for chicken feed—and soon, he hopes, for university. Through these savings groups, Caritas Czech Republic spreads financial literacy and gives young people in Zambia a path toward entrepreneurship and greater financial security.