Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Madagascar Africa ~ by Phyllis Booth

"Tafika efa nidika, ka ksy azo ajanona intsony"

Translation: "Once a journey begins, it never ends"

On Tuesday evening, sixteen members of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church met Celeste Gregory, a volunteer with Catholic Relief Services, who is volunteering in our diocese. She spent a year in the Diocese of Toamasina, Madagascar working with other volunteers of CRS, teaching people how to incorporate more nutrition into their meals. Their diet is mainly rice, breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I was able to relate to the presentation given because Ms Gregory was compassionate, humble, and understanding of the plight of the people she was serving. We were able to grasp each situation since a pictorial printout was given to us so that we might get a visual of the people who live in Madagascar (Malagasy - people who live in Madagascar). The official languages are Malagasy and French. There are 18 ethnic groups and approximately 4 million are Catholic.

The people are mostly farmers using old methods of farming. The CRS volunteers are able to introduce new methods of farming and crop rotation in the Diocese of Toamasina. The economy is similar to that of Haiti; the educational level is eighth grade. Those who complete high school face the problem of having a lack of jobs. The people appear to accept their lifestyle with a deep love of the Catholic faith intertwined with cultural beliefs.

The group left that evening with a greater understanding of how Catholic Relief Services work throughout the world.

Catholic Relief Services gives active witness to the mandate of Jesus Christ to respond to human needs in the following ways:

• by responding to victims of natural and man-made disasters;
• by providing assistance to the poor to alleviate their immediate needs;
• by supporting self-help programs which involve people and communities in their own development;
• by helping those it serves to restore and preserve their dignity and to realize their potential;
• by collaborating with religious and nonsectarian persons and groups of goodwill in programs and projects which contribute to a more equitable society;
• by helping educate the people of the United States to fulfill their moral responsibilities in alleviating human suffering, removing causes and promoting social justice.

Operation Rice Bowl (Lenten program) is a program of Catholic Relief Services. We are given the opportunity to contribute to this program each year during Lent.

~ Photos by Celeste Gregory ~