HMEH the Grand Master yesterday visited the San Juan Bosco Boarding School in Mexico City, where a new grant from The Global Fund for Forgotten People was announced.
The Fund was conceived by the Grand Master and the Sovereign Council to raise awareness of, and financial support for, the Order's work around the world. Since its establishment in 2011, the Fund has supported activities which reach out to people in the greatest need, wherever they be.
It provides a safe haven, a home and a learning environment as well as psychological and spiritual support. The children are born into tremendously difficult situations – about which most of us never hear a word. Through the school, they benefit from cultural and recreational activities, sport coaching, medical care and – perhaps most importantly – the kindness and care for which the Order's staff and volunteers are so well known.
The Fund's support is directed towards the nutritional provision for the children, many of whom are malnourished on arrival and whose development has already suffered as a result. In addition to working with mothers and children to enhance understanding of basic nutritional needs and cooking, the grant enables the school to build a new, better-equipped kitchen.
The need for this has escalated dramatically in recent weeks as there have been flash floods which have damaged and destroyed many of the existing facilities.
Lisa Simpson, Member in Charge of The Global Fund for Forgotten People, shares her thoughts on the project:
"The Hospitaller of the Mexican Association, Monica de Figueroa, has helped us to understand the suffering of children in the poor areas of Mexico City. The Association's work is reaching into the toughest parts of the City to help provide a future for children whose parents cannot, for a great many complex reasons, even give them a meal each day. The Fund is eager to support works that are owned and controlled by Associations and organisations of the Order that are helping children and adults who are suffering, under the radar.
Please send us information about projects you think might be eligible for our support by contacting j.anderson@forgottenpeople.org