The gift of stoves feeds and warms families in Ukraine

 

At our Ternopil site in Ukraine, the modern gift of electric stoves are keeping families fed and cozy year-round in the comfort of their homes.

In Canada, stoves are essential household appliances that many families rely on daily to cook safe, convenient meals. In rural Ukraine, however, cooking can be much more complicated. “In many villages, people rely solely on wood stoves or furnaces for cooking,” says Luba, our Ternopil site director. “The furnace is heated daily all year round for cooking or warming up meals.”

Heating a wood stove or furnace is time consuming and high maintenance . It’s especially worrisome for families with young children who can accidently be burned by the hot stove if left unattended. The stove also heats the entire home, which is uncomfortable in the summer months.

Ivanna, a mother of three from our Ternopil site, was constantly managing a wood stove to cook while she stayed home to care for the children. Her husband, Andriy, was often out of the home working seasonal jobs during the day. The gift of an electric stove, donated through our gift catalogue, has been an incredible blessing for the family!

Continue reading “The gift of stoves feeds and warms families in Ukraine”

Photo Friday: Our top 5 “sisters” photos!

Welcome to Photo Friday! Each Friday, we share photo collections of our favourite shots from our sponsor sites around the world.

Earlier this month, we celebrated International Day of Human Fraternity by sharing our top 5 “brothers” photos! Now, we’re following up with our top 5 “sisters” photos to remind us of Pope Francis’s wise words; we are all brothers and sisters, “born of the same Father.”

The bond between brothers, sisters, and siblings at our sites are special. They truly know each other’s joys and sorrows, and how to comfort and care for one another like no other. We love watching siblings grow closer through the loving support of their families, our site, sponsorship, and the surrounding community. It’s incredible to see sibling relationships deepen and flourish when families have what they need to thrive!

#5: Jennylyn and Jeanalyn

Jennylyn and her twin sister Jeanalyn are 21 years old. Jennylyn has been sponsored since 2005, and is now studying to become an elementary school teacher! These strikingly similar twins are so close that Jeanalyn decided to study in the exact same program! They graduated at the same time and are now applying for teaching positions. They’re both so grateful for the support of sponsorship for allowing them to pursue their dreams together.

Continue reading “Photo Friday: Our top 5 “sisters” photos!”

Victoria flourishes as a web developer after years of sponsorship

Victoria is an ambitious young woman from a hard-working Catholic family. She and her two siblings grew up near our Mangalagiri site in India. When the children were little, Victoria’s parents struggled with food insecurity, lack of adequate housing, and even lacked enough clothing. The cost of the children’s education was overwhelming, and Victoria often had to ask her classmates to borrow their textbooks and learning materials. Although this was a source of great embarrassment for the young student, Victoria remained focused and studious, and her achievements shone in the classroom.

By God’s grace, a Chalice sponsor chose Victoria when she was in grade two. “This was a turning point in her life,” recall the Sisters who run our Mangalagiri site. Now, her family had access to enough food and clothing for their three children and could afford education costs.

As Victoria continued to thrive in the classroom, she and her sponsor connected closely from the start of her sponsorship. Victoria loved to write to her sponsor about her life and hobbies, even well into her college years. “Growing together is a joyful experience,” observes the Sisters. “A loving bond grew between the sponsor and the child through greeting cards, letters and financial support.”

Continue reading “Victoria flourishes as a web developer after years of sponsorship”

Photo Friday: Our top 5 “ideas for Lent” photos!

Welcome to Photo Friday! Each Friday, we share photo collections of our favourite shots from our sponsor sites around the world.

For Catholics, the holy season of Lent is upon us. We’ve collected our top 5 “ideas for Lent” photos to give you some inspiration on how to spread love, give thanks, and spend time in prayerful reflection. Plus, these hope-filled photos from our sites will give you a lovely sight to start off your 2021 Lenten season.

#5: Spend more time in prayer

Spending more time in prayer is a sure way to have a holy and blessed Lent. When one silences the mind in prayerful reflection, it’s easier to grow closer to God in heart, body, and soul. These children from our Samar site in the Philippines are taking some time before lunch to give prayers of thanksgiving to our Holy Father.
Continue reading “Photo Friday: Our top 5 “ideas for Lent” photos!”

Photo Friday: Our top 5 “hearts, hugs & kisses” photos!

Welcome to Photo Friday! Each Friday, we share photo collections of our favourite shots from our sponsor sites around the world.

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day! The origins of this special holiday known for love and affection has drawn from many influences. In the Catholic church, St. Valentine is the patron saint of love, young people, and happy marriages.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day and St. Valentine, we’re sharing our top 5 “hearts, hugs, & kisses” photos from our sites! These adorable moments between family, friends, and children at our sponsor sites are sure to warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.

#5: Big hearts

These adorable little ones from our Chiclayo site in Peru are arranged in a very special formation to show their love for their sponsors and the support they receive from the site! They are also gathered for an exciting reason. They’ve illustrated a children’s book together, created especially for Chalice!
Continue reading “Photo Friday: Our top 5 “hearts, hugs & kisses” photos!”

Edgar’s future is bright

Edgar is a bright and enthusiastic young man sponsored through our Luis Amigo sponsor site in Guatemala. He has faced many challenges in his young life, but thanks to the support of his sponsor, he has flourished.

“The first letter I received from my sponsor filled me with much joy,” says Edgar. “Each letter is a treasure. She and her family helped me reach my goals, helped me grow and prosper.”

After finishing high school, Edgar was accepted into the business administration degree program at Galileo University. He is grateful for the continued support of his sponsor through his post secondary studies.

Continue reading “Edgar’s future is bright”

Photo Friday: Our top 5 “brothers” photos!

Welcome to Photo Friday! Each Friday, we share photo collections of our favourite shots from our sponsor sites around the world.

Yesterday, February 4 was International Day of Human Fraternity, a time to celebrate and strive for the peace, harmony, and togetherness of all of mankind. In his heartfelt address via virtual event yesterday, Pope Francis expressed that despite our differences in cultures and traditions, we are all brothers and sisters, “born of the same Father.”

In honour of this special day, we’re sharing our top 5 “brothers” photos from our sites! (don’t worry- we have a collection of “sisters” photos for later, too!) May the loving and joyful bonds between these brothers from all over our diverse and beautiful world remind you that no matter our differences, we are all born of the same Father and Christ unites us as our brother.

#5: Pasqual and Ramon

Little brother Pasqual and big brother Ramon are from our Dominica site in Paraguay. Pasqual is still in elementary school, while Ramon is getting ready to graduate high school! Ramon is also budding as a soccer star. He says that training keeps him away from common “teen problems” in his area, such as underage drinking and drug use. He tries to be a role model to his younger siblings including Pasqual, and motivates them to study and pursue their dreams.
Continue reading “Photo Friday: Our top 5 “brothers” photos!”

Our top 5 “winter-themed” photos!

Welcome to Photo Friday! Each Friday, we share photo collections of our favourite shots from our sponsor sites around the world.

We’re about to head in February, and in Canada, winter weather has settled in. Cold temperatures, high winds, and snow are now frequent; but so are the cozy parts of winter, such as warm drinks, hot meals with friends or family, and cuddling up with a favourite blanket! Even though it’s not currently winter at all of our sponsor sites, we’ve compiled this collection of our top 5 “winter-themed” photos to bring you a little bit of winter cheer.

Though not all of our sponsor sites experience winter weather, some do! Northern areas of Ukraine experience even colder temperatures than Canada, and parts of Africa, Peru, and Bolivia experience chilly weather and snowfall. We’re so grateful that thanks to your support through sponsorship and gift catalogue donations, vulnerable children and families receive warm clothing and heating supplies to keep them comfortable during the winter.

#5: Winter waves!

These little ones from our Pochaiv site in Ukraine are enjoying a schoolyard break outdoors during one particularly snowy winter! They don’t seem to mind the cold at all, thanks to their fluffy winter coats and warm winter hats. We love their enthusiasm- their teacher seems to, too! Continue reading “Our top 5 “winter-themed” photos!”

Annie has a new lease on life

Annie is a hard worker. She is an attentive single mother to a teenage boy sponsored through our Serenje sponsor site in Zambia. She is also a loving sister and aunt. Last year when she was visited by a Chalice staff member, it was obvious that something was wrong. She was despondent and in a lot of pain.

Something you should know about Annie is that she suffered from polio as a child and lost the use of her legs. At the time of our staff visit, Annie’s wheelchair was in obvious disrepair. She was sitting on a plastic patio chair covered in dirty foam, which was very uncomfortable and caused sores to develop.

Annie lives with her younger sister who is also a single mother of a young boy. The four of them lived together in a small house with no inside toilet. Their pit toilet was located 100 meters from the house and Annie required someone to assist her to use it, which was especially difficult during rainy weather.

Continue reading “Annie has a new lease on life”

Photo Friday: Our top 5 “cheerful” photos!

Welcome to Photo Friday! Each Friday, we share photo collections of our favourite shots from our sponsor sites around the world.

In Canada, many holiday festivities have passed and the dreariness of winter is in full swing. It’s in these times that we need to pause and reflect on our blessings, our loved ones, and the things that bring joy, happiness, and cheer to our hearts.

To help bring some light and laughter to your week, we’re sharing our top 5 “cheerful” photos from our sponsor sites! In spite of the many obstacles they face, many of the children and families we serve are filled with the light and love of Christ. We can see their deep inner joy reflected on their faces!

#5: Beaming boys

These boys from our Mercy Care site in Kenya are eager to pose for a photo with bright, beaming smiles! You can almost hear the laughter and cheer they bring to the scene. Their school is supported by kind Chalice donors, so they receive meals and extra support to ensure that they get the most out of their education.

Continue reading “Photo Friday: Our top 5 “cheerful” photos!”