
Orphaned at an early age, Thomas struggled with poverty and hunger in his small African village until his search for food led him to a school started by Catholic Relief Services. His education liberated him from a life of poverty. Today he speaks regularly of his gratitude for the help that CRS offered him.
We can all be proud of the work of Catholic Relief Services. As the Catholic Church's official overseas relief and development agency, CRS works in 100 countries across the world. As Thomas explained, CRS works in the poorest areas of the world, developing community based solutions.
In Ghana, the current work is on agriculture, health, and microfinance. Strengthening agricultural systems by supplying clean water, and establishing a sustainable supply of seed for commercially viable crops, both help to improve the community's health. By offering microfinancing, the small farmers learn more about financial management and ways to invest in their farms.
You can learn more about Thomas Awiapo and CRS in this segment produced by ORTV and shown on Crossroads.
The Annual CRS Collection will be held in all parishes of the Archdiocese of Hartford on the weekend of May 31-June 1. Remember Thomas and others like him who grow and thrive with the help of CRS - and please be generous in supporting the critical work of CRS around the world.