Change for Global Change

Grant Awards

Grant Awards 2010

2010 RECIPIENTS

Well and Tree Planting Project
Nagpur Province, India Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, West Hartford, CT
$5000.00

Alternative Energy: Bio-Gas for 15 families
Madhya Pradesh, India Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, West Hartford, CT
$5000.00

Construction of Cistern for Water Storage
Mocimboa da Praia, Mozambique
Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery, West Hartford, CT
$5000.00

Restoration of Wetlands Wissahickon Creek Storm Water Garden Philadelphia, PA
Sisters of St. Joseph of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia PA $5000.00

Change for Global Change
Supports a Life-giving Project

Suhalaya was constructed in 2008 to cater to the health needs of the rural poor in Tamilnadu, India. Every day the centre treats 40-50 persons including those living with HIV-AIDS. The area of the mission covers 30 villages with about 27,600 people. As you can see the need for water is great!

According to Sister Syria, “The first attempt at drilling the tube well produced no water. We were very disappointed. Without losing hope in the Lord we tried in another spot and found good water at a depth of 760 feet. Because of the depth we needed a high power motor to pump the water. With the help of other generous donors we were able to complete the project. Now there is drinking water as well as a cistern to collect rainwater for agriculture. Many of the plants are medicinal and are available to the villagers as they need them.”

Got Yogurt? – A Unique Sustainability Project in Brazil

Sister Ceverina Cadore named the project “Production in Solidarity” when she applied for the grant to support women farmers in Antonio Cardosa, a municipality in the state of Part of the grant aided the completion of two cisterns, one for water for human consumption and the other for water for production of yogurt for school lunches. Funds also helped to purchase the equipment and goods needed to make the yogurt and to train the women.

According to Sister Ceverina, “Growth in self-esteem was visible in all participants as well as the welcoming of their gifts. From the production of yoghurt and flavorings, from exchange of knowledge and debate, other initiatives took form, such as organization of a craft group, beekeeping, sports activities for youth and adolescents. The yogurt directly benefits about 500 children for school lunches and a number of families who can purchase yoghurt in local shops.”

The needs are ongoing. “The struggle of this Associacao Florescer will be to give continuity to the ‘Production in Solidarity’ project and find the resources to build adequate facilities for its activities and for education, meetings and celebrations.”

A worthy goal, Sister! Thank you for this living example of what sustainability is all about!

Pope Benedict XVI, con’t. - - -

The real motivation must be the quest for authentic world-wide solidarity inspired by the values of charity, justice and the common good. For that matter … “technology is never merely technology.” It is a response to God’s command to till and keep the land (Gn 2:15) that he has entrusted to humanity, and it must serve to reinforce the covenant between human beings and the environment, a covenant that should mirror God’s creative love.”