Grants for Africa

May 12, 2009 in General, News

missions_01.jpgMurt Curry SJ and John Guiney SJ give a lot of time and care to preparing applications for funding for projects in Jesuit missions, mostly in Africa. They are happy enough that despite the recession, three of their recent five applications were successful. All that careful paperwork and negotiations will soon be translated into projects that will improve the life of people in South Sudan, Kenya and Zambia.  Applications for funding from Misean Cara to the tune of €148,000 have recently been approved through the Irish Jesuit Mission Office.  Of the three grants, one is for construction work in South Sudan, the other two for skills training in Nairobi and Lusaka. The biggest grant, for €150,000, is for the building of classrooms, toilets and rain-water harvesting systems for primary schools in Kajo Keji and Magwi Counties, in Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan. Since the civil war ended in 2005, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) has worked hard to improve the infrastructure of education in S Sudan, where very few schools existed or were left undamaged by the bombing from North Sudan. Further projects for Kajo Keji county are in preparation.

The Dolli Craft Project, with a grant of €47,400, aims to increase the facilities and training of women in clothes and souvenir production in the Kangemi slum in Nairobi. These income-generating activities will improve the lifestyle and bring much needed hope to many families in St Joseph the Worker Parish, where Gerry Whelan SJ and John Guiney SJ have served as pastors. Last year a grant was secured to buy a vehicle for the development projects in Kangemi.
Global Friends in Africa, founded by Michael T Kelly SJ, will train young men and women in Lusaka, Zambia, in practical skills, such as electrical circuits, bricklaying, carpentry, tailoring and sewing, catering and cooking. With these skills, hopefully, many of the graduates will be better able to secure jobs and to improve their life situations. GFIA have received a grant of €50,800.