TROCAIRE: Barraduff woman Martina O’Donoghue, a Trocaire worker who is currently working Uganda, is calling on the public to get involved in the Trocaire Lenten campaign.

Barraduff woman Martina O’Donoghue, a Trocaire worker who is currently working Uganda, is calling on the public to get involved in the Trocaire Lenten campaign.

This week marks the start of Ireland’s largest fundraising campaign, the Trocaire Lenten Appeal, which will see more than 1 million Trocaire boxes reach households and schools across the country. It began on Ash Wednesday this week and will run until Easter Sunday, April 21.

Martina explained that by taking part it will help more than two million of the poorest and most vulnerable people across the world over the coming year. Trocaire’s 2019 Lenten Appeal highlights how the loss of land in the developing world is leading to devastating consequences for millions of families, she explained.

“Land is such an important factor in combating poverty,” she said.

“It allows people to grow food to feed their families and to make a living, and it offers much-needed safety and stability for children. Sadly though, for many reasons, land and homes are being taken from millions of families across the developing world and means they are facing hunger, the threat of violence as well as a lack of access to education and basic medical care as they struggle to survive.”

This year, the Lent box tells this story through three young girls. Maria is from Guatemala where vulnerable communities are being violently evicted by large businesses and left with nothing. In Uganda, Patricia has lost her home because her father died. Her mother, like many others, lacks any basic rights to her land simply because she is a woman. While Maya, who now lives in a refugee camp in Lebanon, was forced to flee her home with her family to escape the Syrian war.

“Trocaire is working in over 20 countries across the developing world and supports thousands of families like those of Maria, Maya and Patricia by providing food, shelter and medical care as well as fighting for justice and land rights,” Martina said. “This would not be possible without the support of the public. We are incredibly grateful for the generous donations we receive from parishes, schools and families from Kerry each year and I would appeal to people across the county to support this vital campaign. This can be done by collecting your loose change in a Trocaire box, making a donation online or over the phone, or organising fundraising activities throughout Lent. Every donation makes a difference.”

Trocaire boxes are available from local parishes, by visiting www.trocaire.org or by phoning 1850 408 408.