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Think Fast 2008
Youth
Group and Group Jeunesse joined together in February for their annual
25 Hour Famine for Development and Peace. The weekend of the
famine is an opportunity for youth to explore social justice issues
existing in our world today. This year, the youth studied how
mining practices in under-developed countries negatively affects the
poor and struggling communities in those countries. Chemical
waste from the mines pollute precious waterways, the natural resources
in mining areas are stripped away, leaving the land bare, and workers
are employed and made to work in unacceptable conditions in the
mines. Taking a stance of solidarity, youth from around
Canada fasted from food and raised funds to help Development and Peace
in their fight to hold large mining companies accountable. In
our parish, 22 of our Lorette Youth fasted and participated in a
weekend of prayer, love and sacrifice.
Activities
were held throughout the hours of the fast to help us all understand
the severity of what others worldwide suffer on a daily basis.
An
invited guest, Fidel Mutombo Banza, who is a resident from the DRC
(Democratic Republic of Congo) spoke to the youth about what
it was like to live in his country. War, poverty,
disease. He challenged the youth to think about how we spend
our money, sometimes on frivolous, unnecessary items, while there are
others in the world who struggle for basic necessities.
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The
youth also spent much time in prayer and meditation activities, social
awareness activities and games. Finally,
they created videos of themselves as ambassadors for the poor
and suffering people living in these countries that are
negatively affected by industrial mining. These videos were
presented to the parish and spoke untold words of how our youth have
great empathy for others
and have great desire to
make change happen. Together, in their own
individual efforts and through the parish community, the youth raised
over $2500.00. Dollars
that become the bricks necessary to rebuild healthy communities and
support world justice...
The
famine ended with a solidarity meal, shared by all our very caring,
very loving and VERY hungry youth!
Thank
you to all the youth who participated, to all those whose supported
them and contributed to their financial success, and to Michelle and
Brenda for leading the weekend.
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