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th grade students worked with A Child’s Hope International’s “Hands Against Hunger” program at The Hope Factory on East Kemper Road. The students were able to present the organization with $2138.72 through their fundraising efforts and the donations made toward the Lenten almsgiving project by parishioners from St. John Neumann, Corpus Christi, and St. John the Baptist on Ash Wednesday. These funds allowed them to package 8,640 high protein meals and enough water purification packets to provide over 4,000 gallons of fresh water for orphans in Swaziland.
Swaziland is the last remaining absolute monarchy in Africa. 46% of the people live below the international poverty level, earning less than $1.25 per day. Swaziland also has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in the world. The adult population is declining at an alarming rate and half of the population of children are orphans. The need there is great, but there is hope. Many thanks to everyone who has and who will support this effort this Lenten season.