Clonskeagh Parish RCN:20016166

A Few Words from Fr Joe……………

In 1983, I went to work on a research project in Africa, for the Credit Union movement. The idea was to introduce the Credit Union to the men who migrated from Lesotho to the mines in Johannesburg. There was a serious problem with these men who went to the mines on fixed contracts, usually 6 or 9 months. During their period in the mines they lived in compounds and were paid pocket money, at the end of their contract they received the remainder of their wages. On pay day, with joy in their hearts and freedom to leave for home, they left the compound. Instead of getting on buses to bring them home, they were met by a variety of con artists who could offer them all kinds of amusement, just for a day or two, before they left for home. It’s no surprise that for many of them a great deal of their money was spent long before they arrived back at their villages in Lesotho. The Credit Union movement worked hard to set up community banks, funding mostly women’s co-operatives, who did amazing work in their local areas. Our job was to help the men understand how much better it would be to have their wages paid into the Credit Union, transferred back to their wives and families and used for the development of their community. Ours was one of thousands of projects in the developing world which missionaries and people in the voluntary sector, dedicate personnel, resources and talent to. Within the church community missionaries have undertaken extraordinary work in health, education, catechesis, and parish development. We are proud of them all and delighted to support them on this Mission Sunday.  The love of Africa never really leaves your heart after spending time there!

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