This Harvest, CAFOD is inviting Catholics across the Diocese of Northampton to turn faith into action through Family Fast Day on Friday 2 October.
For 12-year-old Tayla, going to school should be a chance to learn, make friends and dream about the future. She loves studying maths and hopes one day to become a doctor.
But in northern Zimbabwe, drought has brought severe shortages of food and water. Tayla sometimes arrived at school exhausted after walking to collect water for her family. With little food to eat or drink, she struggled to concentrate and, on some days, was unable to make it to school at all.
“I like to study and when I grow up, I want to be a doctor,” says Tayla.
Thanks to the generosity of CAFOD supporters, local Caritas partners have worked with Tayla’s community to provide a solar-powered water system, bringing safe water to her village and school.
The impact reaches far beyond drinking water. The school can now use the water to grow its own vegetables, helping to provide nutritious meals for children throughout the year. With enough food and safe water, Tayla and her classmates have the energy they need to learn and play, stay in school and develop their God-given talents.
Grow food. Provide meals. Help children learn.
CAFOD’s Harvest Family Fast Day is an opportunity for us to stand alongside our brothers and sisters around the world. Through prayer, fasting and giving, our diocesan family can help communities facing hunger and poverty to find practical and sustainable solutions.
CAFOD describes its work as bringing our love of neighbour to people facing some of the world’s biggest challenges. As the official overseas aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, CAFOD works through local partners to support communities as they build a more hopeful future.
This Family Fast Day, our support can help more children like Tayla have the food and safe water they need to remain in school and pursue their dreams.
Please support CAFOD’s Harvest Family Fast Day in your parish on Friday 2 October.
You can find resources for your parish, including posters, prayer materials, collection resources and ideas for fundraising, on the CAFOD website.
Find out more about CAFOD Family Fast Day
Photo info:
Tayla and Kiki drink clean water from their school’s water taps
Photo credit: Cynthia Matonhodze
