| Lenten Project 2010 : Mandeville, South Jamaica, West indies |
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The tradition of having a Lenten Project
This year, we'll help the Diocese of Mandeville, located in south central Jamaica and including three civil jurisdictions (called parishes): Clarendon, Manchester, and St. Elizabeth.
They cover about 1,300 square miles, of a half million people. Catholics constitute 1.4% of which 41% regularly practice their faith offering a solid basis for gratitude and hope. The Diocese of Mandeville is mostly rural and not a tourist area. Social structures, such as health facilites, running water and public transportation are not readily available.
This woman lives in this one room with her daughter.
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Economy:
Jamaica is the third poorest nation in the Caribbean, especially in the rural areas. Bauxite mining is the main industry. Small farming is the second largest source of income (vegetables, coffee, citrus fruits and spices). Thus, the average Sunday collection in most of the parishes is approximately $US20 and in the smaller parishes $US8.00.
Volunteers and Jamaicans work together to build suitable housing for the poor !
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Bishop Neil,CP, says:
" all dependent upon charitable donations. These are all projects and services that have begun but can only
continue thru the generosity of others" |
The Church believes that Education is important in breaking the cycle of poverty Sr. Una, C.P. has given years to the education of the poor in the Diocese of Mandeville and founded the Catholic College of Mandeville which trains teachers to bring education into the basic schools of the diocese.
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Children at Play at one of our basic schools. These schools have to be subsidized as the parents cannot afford the full fee for tuition |
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The band at our high school appeared for the first time at our annual Christ the King parade last November.
Sacred Heart Youth ...
Children, at an early age, are introduced to the world of the computer ...
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