Welcome to the first 2018 edition of MissionAid, our newsletter with information on Misean Cara organisational updates, Misean Cara member's work, training and employment opportunities, and international development news.
If you have a news story or opportunity you would like to share in this newsletter, please contact info@miseancara.ie.
2017 was such a productive year for Misean Cara, it has been difficult to select just a few highlights to share.
We funded our members to undertake over 200 development projects around the world, bringing hope to vulnerable and marginalised communities, and transforming lives.
We launched our new Strategy 2017-2021, the culmination of an extensive consultation process with over 1,000 members and beneficiaries across nine countries.
We successfully lobbied the government alongside International and Irish Faith-based organisations to request an increase in the Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) budget, as well as the adoption of a multi-annual plan to reach the target of spending on ODA by 2025.
Several of our members received awards for their work in the fields of humanitarian support, human rights, health and education.
These are just a few examples of the excellent work being done by our vibrant and exciting world-wide missionary movement. For more information on our work during 2017 take a look at our website and past editions of MissionAid.
We are looking forward to another exciting and productive year in 2018 and want to thank you for your ongoing support. I leave you with this quote from Pope Francis at the beginning of what I believe will be an even better year for our members and beneficiaries.
"Work in this new year with generosity to realise a world that is more united and welcoming." Pope Francis (01.01.18).
We will be running a social media campaign to highlight the excellent work of missionaries around the world. The campaign will run from Wednesday 14 February 2018 to mark the start of lent. We are asking our members to request photos/videos from missionaries showcasing their everyday work. We would like these photos to be shared on Facebook and Twitter (using the hashtag #MyMissionaryLife and tagging Misean Cara). Please include the following details where possible:
A couple of words describing what is happening in the photo/video
The project name, location and member organisation
The names of the individuals in the photo/video (if appropriate)
Alternatively, you can email your photo/video and caption to kkendall@miseancara.ie and we will share it to the Misean Cara social media accounts. Please make sure you have permission from the people in the photograph to share the image on social media and with Misean Cara.
Misean Cara adheres to the Dóchas Code of Conduct on Images and Messages, click here for more information.
Brigidine Sisters Co-Funding for East Africa
Misean Cara is delighted to announce that the Brigidine Sisters have generously agreed to provide co-funding support to our member's work in East Africa. The Brigidine Sisters have a history of working in the region and chose to support the valuable work Misean Cara members do across the sectors of health, education and sustainable livelihoods. The donation will go towards helping to alleviate poverty and reduce social inequalities by empowering communities and transforming lives. We are extremely grateful for the extraordinary support and clear solidarity with our members' work.
L-R: Anne Carthy (Misean Cara), Sr Theresa Kilmurray, Sr Angela Phelan, Séamus O’Gorman (Misean Cara), Sr Mairead Brophy, Anthony Hannon (Misean Cara).
Misean Cara Goal Videos
A series of short videos discussing four of the Misean Cara goals (Education, Health, Livelihoods and Human Rights) have been published. These videos provide an overview of the work our members do under each of these goals and are narrated by the Misean Cara Project Officers. Click the links below to watch the videos.
Click here for Goal 1: Uphold the Right to Quality Education. Click here for Goal 2: Uphold the Right to Better Health, Clean Water and Sanitation. Click herefor Goal 3: Uphold the Right to Sustainable Livelihoods. Click herefor Goal 4: Uphold and Advocate for Human Rights.
Misean Cara Emergency Campaign
Misean Cara has launched a new emergency fundraising campaign. The focus of this campaign is to increase Misean Cara's ability to fund our members to respond to emergencies as they arise across the world. The Misean Cara website has been updated to include an emergency donate page and a general donate page. We are working to generate a greater awareness of our member's work and encourage donations to the fund. You can help support the campaign by sharing this information and links to the donate pages. A video and updated leaflet with information on the campaign have also been produced.
Misean Cara at International Careers Fair
Dublin Castle
7 December 2017
The UNFPA Career Development Roundtable was held in Dublin Castle from 4 to 7 December 2017. On the final day of the event an International Careers Fair, hosted by the Public Appointments Service and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade took place at the Printworks in Dublin Castle. Dóchas members were offered a free stand at the event allowing Irish NGOs to profile their work to an international audience, as well as recruit for volunteer programmes.
Misean Cara hosted a stand at the fair in order to promote the work of Misean Cara members and provide an opportunity for SERVE, Viatores Christi, Vincentian Lay Missionaries and Volunteer Missionary Movement to recruit new volunteers for their overseas programmes. Over 2,000 people registered for the event and we had a very successful and busy day with plenty of interest from attendees.
Prof. Fr. Michael Kelly Lecture on HIV and AIDS
The Royal Irish Academy
28 November 2017
The 2017 Irish Aid Annual Professor Father Michael Kelly Lecture on HIV and AIDS is held each year to coincide with World AIDS Day, and is named in celebration of the life's work of Irish-born Zambian HIV Educator and Advocate Professor Father Michael Kelly. The theme of this lecture was 'Young People and HIV', focusing on protecting those most vulnerable in the epidemic, and considering how best to harness their energy and strength to help overcome it.
The event also screened the excellent short film 'A POSITIVE LIFE' about Ugandan teenager Daphine who is HIV positive. Link Up provided treatment and counselling, giving her a more positive outlook on life. Click here to watch the video.
Misean Cara News Stories
Confronting Gender-Based Violence in Peru
Columban Fathers
Lima, Peru
This special report by Christian Guzmán, Latin America Development Mentor at Misean Cara discusses some of the factors contributing to gender-based violence in Latin America, and the ways in which Misean Cara members are working to tackle these issues.
In Peru, the WHO estimates that approximately one out of every two urban women in Lima has suffered some form of physical and/or sexual violence throughout their life. The St. Bernadette organisation run by the Columban Fathers in Lima works to combat violence and child sexual abuse in the community through a shelter for victims and a remedial school. Click here to read more.
Jan Vikas Society Receive Innovation Award
Divine Word Missionaries
Indore, India
The Jan Vikas Society (an NGO established in 2001 by the Divine Word Society) received an award for the 'Best Work on Innovation in Rights of Informal Sector Workers' from the Indo Global Social Service Society, Delhi on 17 November 2017. The award is in recognition of their work with city slum dwellers in creating 'Samaveshi Shehar- an Inclusive City' in Indore, India. They have worked tirelessly to provide Identity Cards to more than 2,000 waste pickers by networking with Indore Municipal Corporation. This is the fourth award received by the Jan Vikas Society in the past six years.
Indore city has over 3,000 rag pickers, of which 93% are women. Jan Vikas Society has been working with Rag Pickers for the past 15 years through the formation of a Cooperative Society, Self Help Groups, providing Vocational Training (Tailoring, Beautician’s Course etc.) and conducting regular health check-ups. Click here to read more.
DREAM - Care and Treatment for HIV & AIDS
Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul
Nairobi, Kenya
December 1st was World AIDS Day. In 2016 36.7 million people globally were living with HIV and 1 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses. To mark World AIDS Day we wanted to showcase the excellent work being done by The DREAM project in Nairobi.
The DREAM (Drug Resource Enhancement against AIDS and Malnutrition) project in Nairobi, Kenya provides HIV care and treatment to persons living with HIV and AIDS. Emily Kiptui, DREAM Programme Manager at The DREAM Centre discusses the challenges people living with HIV and AIDS face, and how The DREAM project provides health care services to over 2,500 patients from poor socio-economic backgrounds.
"Patients are happy to come for services at DREAM owing to the quality comprehensive care and qualified, friendly staff. They are grateful that we can meet their needs and treat them with dignity." Click here to read more.
CAPIO - Protecting the Interest of Prisoners
Discalced Carmelites
Enugu State, Nigeria
On a recent monitoring visit Anthony Hannon, Project Officer at Misean Cara met with staff at CAPIO (Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organisation) in Enugu State, Nigeria.
Prisons in Nigeria are in a deplorable condition. Mostly built in colonial times, they are old, dilapidated and frequently accommodate more than three times their capacity. The vast majority of the inmates are not convicted, and inmates can spend years in prison awaiting trial.
The mission of the Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organisation (CAPIO) is to protect the interest of prisoners in Nigeria through advocacy for a reformed judicial system and provision of compassionate, free legal, social welfare and rehabilitation services applying international best practice. Click here to read more.
Famine and Drought Interventions
The Spiritans
East Pokot and Tana River County, Kenya
“Never in my last 18 years in Barpello did I see such a severe drought. The rains are now nearly 3 months overdue. The drought has left the old and young in a very vulnerable state.” Father David Conway C.S.Sp., Barpello Catholic Mission.
Since the El Nino weather phenomenon in 2015/2016 East Africa has experienced irregular rainy seasons. Farmers are unable to predict when to plant seeds, meaning seeds are either unable to grow due to the lack of water, or growing plants are destroyed when the rains arrive late. This climate change related phenomena has resulted in food insecurity in many areas of East Africa, including Kenya. The number of food insecure people in Kenya increased from 1.3M to 2.2M in February 2017, with the Government declaring the drought a natural disaster.
Since 2014 Misean Cara has funded vital food assistance interventions for the Spiritans in two locations in Kenya. The Spiritans provide emergency drought intervention in Barpello, Tangulbei and Marigat (East Pokot) and in Wenje Parish (Tana River County). Click here to read more.
Kidizens Children’s Parliament Network
Edmund Rice Development
New Delhi, India
India has the world's largest youth population. Approximately half of the population is under the age of 25, making it vitally important that the voice of young people be heard.
The Kidizens Children’s Parliament Network run by the Edmund Rice Development in New Delhi, India encourages children to get involved in influencing change and advocating for their rights. Sandra Neville, Safeguarding Person at Misean Cara visited the project at the end of 2017. Click here to read more.
Click here to listen to Misean Cara's audio archive of past documentaries. The most recent addition is 'Power To The People' about the Bill of Rights in Zambia.
Opportunities and Vacancies
Education and Training Opportunities
Kimmage DSC 2018 KODE course schedule announced
Plan your New Year professional development training by distance learning. Courses include Project Management, M&E, Child Safeguarding, HIV Gender Programming, Addressing GBV and lots more. Click here for course content details, fees and application forms.
VC Venture - Training for Development
Viatores Christi are running their annual Venture training programme for prospective development workers, missionaries or volunteers who intend to work and live in a developing country. Click here for more information.
Employment and Volunteering Vacancies
Global Schoolroom are looking for volunteers
Global Schoolroom are currently recruiting primary, second and third level teachers, who would like the opportunity to volunteer to work in Sierra Leone for three weeks in July/August 2018 on one of their Teacher Education Programmes. Click here for more information on how to apply.
If you have any training, volunteer or employment opportunities you would like included in the MissionAid newsletter, please contact kkendall@miseancara.ie.
Other News Stories
Misean Cara Members in the News
Columban Sister providing hope for AIDS patients in Myanmar
Read the Vatican Radio report on the recent papal visit to Myanmar which talks about the Misean Cara supported home run by Columban Sister Mary Dillon. The home provides support for people affected by HIV and AIDS. Together with three local Franciscan sisters, they provide a bed, nutritious meals and medical supervision for up to 70 patients. Click here to listen.
Nun who survived bombings to become leading doctor in women’s health
Read about Sr. Maura Lynch who sadly passed away in December. Sr. Maura (Medical Missionaries of Mary) spent 50 years working in Angola and Uganda. "She became a champion of dignity and justice for women in the developing world". A founding member of the Association of Surgeons in Uganda, she was passionate about passing on knowledge. Click here to read more.
Loreto girls’ school in South Sudan celebrates 10 years
Read about Sr Orla Treacy, principal of Loreto Rumbek, South Sudan. The school first opened in 2008 and provides a much needed place of education and refuge for girls aged 5-20. Click here to read more.
Minister Simon Coveney's visit to Kenya Click here to watch Minister Simon Coveney speaking about his visit to Nyambani Loreto HIV programme in Kenya.
We want to help showcase the wonderful work our Members do by sharing stories, updates, photos and videos on our website, social media pages and in our e-newsletter MissionAid.
If you have content you would like to share please email our Communications Officer Kim Kendall at kkendall@miseancara.ie.
