This school year, our first term has been filled with actions and moments of connection with those who lack the necessities to live with dignity. Charity is not giving what's left over, it's not giving because it's expected, it's not… The word “charity” comes from Latin caritaswhich means love. That is what we have done at our school; in every gesture and donation, in every meal, we have wanted to put love. Faithful to the Catholic identity of our school, we have dedicated everything collected to institutions where the Church, in various ways, helps those in need.
1. Diocesan Foundation “Mission and Promotion”
Our Diocese of Orihuela-Alicante provides assistance, especially in Peru, in the poorest areas of the country. Missionaries from our Diocese, including one from our city of Benidorm, are working there, running a nursing home, a medical clinic, a school, bakeries, and more. All this aid is sent through the Catral Parish Mission Group. In addition to this diocesan foundation, the group also assists the Brothers of St. John of God in other places, such as Africa. We have been to Catral three times to bring clothes to help them in this mission.
Website of the “Mission Group”: misionescatral.com
2. Project “Gema”
“Proyecto Gema Cooperativa Valenciana” is a worker-owned cooperative promoted by Cáritas Diocesana de Orihuela-Alicante. The cooperative is made up of people who have learned to repair electrical and electronic devices, which has helped them overcome their circumstances of need. They recycle and repair the devices brought to them for later sale at a very low price. Our school has twiceThis quarter, electronic devices were donated to this Caritas cooperative to help them.
“Project Gema” website: www.proyectogema.org
3. ACOMAR
The Association of Marginalized People of Alicante (ACOMAR) is a Catholic Church association dedicated to the care, shelter, and support of the poorest members of society for over twenty years. Since last year, we have been collaborating with them by providing financial aid and food donations. This association serves the homeless and the poorest of the poor. On the occasions when students have been able to visit and see firsthand the work they do, they have returned deeply moved and eager to continue helping. This year, we made a donation of 1625, 88 euros and boxes of chocolates.
ACOMAR website: acomaralicante.blogspot.com.es
4.Cottolengo
For several years now, every Christmas we've collected food for the Cottolengo. This congregation of nuns takes in elderly people and people with mental disabilities who have no resources or a place to live and be cared for. These nuns live on providence, that is, on what they are given. We take our donations there. 650 kilos of foodThese nuns are doing a beautiful job because, in addition to caring for them, they love and attend to them with all their affection.
“Cottolengo” website: www.cottolengopalegre.org
5. Caritas Philippines
Typhoon Haiyan at the end of 2013 left countless dead and a tremendous need for food, shelter, and hygiene supplies. Caritas is not a Church association; it is the Church itself helping those in need. Caritas is present in every parish and country where the Church is active. This is why it can easily reach every corner of the world. For this reason, we have allocated 2290, 17 euros to help the Philippines. We took the money to Caritas Diocesana de Orihuela-Alicante so that they could send the money to Caritas Philippines.
Website of “Cáritas Dioesana”: www.caritasoa.org
