Going Global with Youth — Africa

Volume 6, Issue 8

April 2006

There is a small health clinic in northern Ghana that was started by a Ghanaian doctor who committed his life to serving the poor when a village woman was denied medical treatment because she had no money to pay for it. In his mind, this denial violated the oath to provide care no matter what the circumstance an oath he took very seriously as a doctor. Today, staffed completely with volunteers, never has a place been so aptly named: Shekhina Clinic shekhina being a Hebrew word meaning the "Glory of God. " Its efforts to establish a blood bank, an AIDS hospice, a daily health clinic, a refugee center, an x-ray lab, and more seem to pale in comparison to the more mature and sophisticated efforts of medicine in this country. But its efforts are magnanimous in Ghana and are done with such faith and out of such great love for people, especially the poor. Those who work there will tell you, "All are welcome in this clinic. All you have to do is treat each other with love. "

Africa is alive . . . and alive with hope in the family of God! While there are stark realities that seemingly challenge this notion, the history, community, strength, courage and spirituality of this great continent is deeply embedded with the living witness like those at the Shekhina Clinic in Ghana. Elsewhere, this year began with the inauguration of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as the president of Liberia on January 16, 2006. Her election is a sign of hope not only to the continent of Africa but to women around the world. In a region that has suffered through years of conflict, she has committed herself to peace for Liberia and the region. During her address to the U.S. Congress, she asked for support to make Liberia "an example to Africa and the world of what love of liberty can achieve. "

The fear is that such hope and life will be destroyed by indifference and inaction in Africa and around the world toward the social, political and health realities that threaten the very existence of our brothers and sisters there. We still hear the stories about the humanitarian crisis in Sudan and the food crisis in the Horn of Africa. We also cannot ignore the stories about HIV/AIDS across the continent. According to UNAIDS, Sub-Saharan Africa has just over the 10% of the world’s population, but is home to more than 60% of all people living with HIV/AIDS. In 2005, an estimated 3.2 million people in the region became newly infected, while 2.4 million adults and children died of AIDS. While there have been declines in HIV prevalence in Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe, the prevalence rates continues to expand in southern Africa.

Catholic Relief Services has a number of programs in Africa addressing the issues of food security, peacebuilding and HIV/AIDS. CRS' Africa Campaign, Africa Rising: Hope and Healing is an invitation to U.S. Catholics to stand in solidarity with the people of Africa and to advocate for U.S. policies that address pressing issues of disease, conflict and poverty. Through speakers, educational materials and legislative action the Africa Campaign seeks to raise awareness of: HIV/AIDS and other major health risks affecting Africa; peace building initiatives taking place throughout the continent; and poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa and the need for greater U.S. development assistance to the continent.

Through this issue, we underscore the US Bishops invitation to all of us to "mutually enrich each other in mission [as] we engage one another as sisters and brothers in Christ . . . . The critical challenges and enormous potential facing Africa today serve as the opportunity for and test of our mutual solidarity. Our response to this vocation of solidarity with the Church and the peoples of Africa enables us to express love "in deed and in truth" (1 Jn 3:18), a love that creates no borders and sets no limits to what might be accomplished together in Christ. " (A Call to Solidarity with Africa, Washington, DC, USCCB, Inc. , 2001, p. 31. )

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Announcements

New Food Fast DVD Now Available! Journey Against Hunger: Securing Food in Niger Today and Tomorrow, the first Food Fast DVD is finally out! The 13-minute video profiles Nigerien communities who are involved in long term action to ensure food security in their community through education, food for work and women empowerment programs. The DVD also includes a printable discussion guide, photo essays and prayer meditation. Order the first Food Fast DVD by clicking here.

Prayer Without Borders: Celebrating Global Wisdom Published by CRS in 2003, Prayer Without Borders is a compilation of inspirational stories, poems and prayers from around the world. Due to its high demand, CRS has published a reprint of this book. To order or obtain more information, call 1-800-685-7572 or click here. Request your copy while supplies last!

Global Campaign for Education: Send My Friend to School Week With 100 Million children unable to set foot in a classroom this year, the Global Campaign for Education Send My Friend to School Week unifies NGOs and teachers unions in over 150 countries to promote education as a basic right and to build awareness around this grave situation. Make plans now to participate during the week of April 24-30, 2006. Lesson plans, leaflets and sample activities for elementary and high school students are available at the US GCE web site by clicking here.

Walk the World - May 21 Join the United Nations World Food Program and tens of thousands of individuals around the world to help end child hunger. The goal is to motivate people from all 24 time zones to walk for hunger in what is hoped to be the "world's largest humanitarian event. " For more information, click here.

CCHD Seeks Your Nomination to Honor Catholic Young Adult Leaders The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) seeks your nominations for the 2006 CCHD Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award. This award is designed to recognize young Catholic leaders (ages 18-30) who are actively engaged in changing unjust structures that keep people trapped in the cycle of poverty. The award recipient will be given the $1000 cash award at a reception held in conjunction with the November annual meeting of the US Catholic Bishops in Baltimore. Nomination forms can be downloaded by clicking here, request via e-mail at mpoulin@usccb.org, or telephone 202-541-3297. Nomination Deadline: June 30, 2006.

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Life in the Field

CRS Work in Africa With a presence in over 30 countries on the Africa continent, CRS strives to enhance human dignity, empower the people that it helps and strengthen and support partner organizations. CRS strives for such goals by working in the areas of food security, peace building, HIV/AIDS, civil society building, Emergency Response and health among others. To learn more about our work in Africa and the concerns unique to each nation where we work, click here.

CRS Work in the Sudan CRS continues its work amidst the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. A comprehensive web site that provides a brief historical perspective, a summary of our work, and additional resources for education and prayer can be linked by clicking here.

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Active Solidarity

STAND: Students Taking Action Now: Darfur STAND is a student-led initiative that strives for increased education, political action and fundraising around the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. For more information on how you can involve the young people with whom you work, click here. Be sure to check out information on the Weekend of Action (April 28-30).

One Million Voices for Darfur The Save Darfur Coalition, which includes the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, has launched the Million Voices for Darfur campaign. As part of this campaign, the Save Darfur Coalition has made a special appeal to all faith communities in the United States to participate in a National Week of Prayer and Action for Darfur, April 2-9, 2006. Resources and materials, including hard copies of the postcards, are available on line by clicking here.

To add your voice to the Million Voices for Darfur campaign asking President Bush to support a stronger multi-national force to protect the civilians of Darfur, or for more information about the Week of Prayer and Action for Darfur, visit the Save Darfur web site by clicking here.

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Called To Action

Democratic Republic of Congo

Support Real Solutions to the Challenge of Migration The immigration issue has finally come to the forefront of the national debate, in part due to prophetic voice of the Church and to the tireless work of many. Throughout the country, members of parishes are joining in demonstrations calling for comprehensive reform to our countries' immigration laws.

The Senate Judiciary committee has passed a bill for consideration that contains several key provisions called for by the Catholic Church, including a path to legalization, family reunification and protecting people who offer humanitarian assistance. But the real effort in addressing this issue is only beginning. Over the next several months there will be key moments when your Senators and Representatives will need to hear from you. You can sign up at our legislative network by clicking here to receive our Action Alerts and we'll keep you informed as the effort progresses.

It is also critical to keep the debate going in your communities. Write to your local newspapers; organize press conferences or demonstrations supporting Comprehensive Immigration Reform. If you have questions or want more information please visit the Justice for Immigrants campaign by clicking here or contact Chris West at 410-951-7454 or by e-mail at cwest@crs.org.

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Global Thoughts

Guide my Steps in Peace. . . O God, you gave me peace to pass the night; Give me peace as well to pass the day. Wherever my way may lead, Which you in peace laid out for me, O God, guide my steps. In speech, take falsehood away from me. In hunger, take murmuring away from me. In fullness, take complacency away from me. O lordless Lord. (Galla, Ethiopia) (From Gittens, Anthony J, CSSp (ed. ), Hallelujah for the Day: An African Prayer Book. Liquori/Triumph, 2002. )

Light a Holy Fire. . . Receive this holy fire. May your lives like this fire. A holy life that is seen. A life of God that is seen. A life that has no end. A life that darkness does not overcome. May this light of God in your grow. Light a fire that is worthy of your heads. Light a fire that is worthy of your children. Light a fire that is worthy of your fathers. Light a fire that is worthy of your mothers. Light a fire that is worthy of God. Now go in peace. May the almighty protect you today and all days. (Masai, Tanazania) (From Tutu, Archbishop Desmond (ed. ), An African Prayer Book. Doubleday, 1995. )

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CRS Regions

Click here for CRS Regional Office Contacts in the Midwest, Northeast, Southwest and West.

Northeast Region

Midwest Region

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