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.

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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.

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Meals made with love: Maria finds fulfilment in her career

Maria, a former sponsored child from our Pochaiv site in Ukraine, is finding great joy and fulfilment in her busy profession as a cook after recently graduating from trade school!

Maria is no stranger to a busy schedule. She comes from a bustling family of five children. Every day, Maria’s father would head to work early in the morning, while her mother would stay home and care for the young children in the home. Even though Maria’s father worked full time, the family still lived in poverty due to his low income. Determined to help to the best of her ability, Maria always pitched in with the household chores. As soon as she was finished, she’d start crocheting! She would diligently knit sweaters to sell to contribute towards household bills.

One year, Maria’s mother heard of Chalice’s sponsorship program, and applied for assistance. When Maria was chosen by a sponsor, she was so happy! From then on, she was able to attend school with supplies, buy books, and attend study groups. “She grew up hardworking and persistent. She wanted to achieve a lot in life because sponsorship motivated her,” says Halyna, our Pochaiv site director.

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Photo Friday: Our top 5 “Grow Faith” photos!

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

Faith thrives in strong, supportive communities. We aim to encourage the faith of our Chalice family around the world, whether it be through sharing the Word of God, through prayer, by encouraging our Sisters and priests, or by giving and children and families the chance to believe in hope and the love of Jesus.

This week, we’re sharing our top 5 “Grow Faith” photos of children, families, and staff at our sites growing and sharing their faith! We are so inspired by the outpouring of resilience and hope we see from our Chalice family each day!

#5: Spread the word

In Catholic communities such as our CMAVIL site in Villeta, Paraguay, a bible is a treasured gift. Family circles meet for passage readings and reflections to grow and share in their faith journeys. In 2018, it was our site’s goal to provide each of our sponsored families with a bible to encourage daily reading of the Word of God.

In total, 284 families from our CMAVIL site received a bible of their own. They met at the Virgen del Rosaria de Villeta Church to celebrate the occasion!
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The Unshakeable Spirit of Cañete

The formation house of the Sisters of Santa Ana in Cañete is like a bustling village. The Sisters and staff administer our sponsorship program, parents gather for family circle meetings and training, children come for youth groups, and teens meet for Confirmation classes. Families from all over the city also gather for community events and celebrations.

In 2007, a major earthquake rocked Peru, killing 600 people and destroying 76,000 homes. The formation house sustained damage that was never fully addressed. As a result, the Sisters lived with increasing anxiety as they saw the cracks and exposed metal framework corroding. When Peru’s national government warned that more seismic activity is possible, the Sisters contacted Chalice for support, concerned for the safety of the hundreds of people who work and socialize at the house.

Thanks to the generous spirits of Chalice supporters, the renovations were soon underway. Pausing for a few months in the spring, the Sisters have now completed all of the critical work. They have demolished, replaced, or heavily renovated the corroded central support columns, archways, and the security wall around the perimeter. They have also installed non-slip flooring where the previous tiling had collapsed. Approximately 850 people, including 550 sponsored by Chalice, once again have a safe and secure place to meet, work, pray, and play!

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Photo Friday: Our top 5 “New Year’s Inspiration” Photos!

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

It’s 2021, and a new year has just begun! Many of us have made new year’s resolutions of all kinds; to get outdoors more often, to spend more time on hobbies, or to continue to spread God’s love and help others.

This week, we’re sharing a photo collection of children and families from our sites practicing healthy, positive habits! Many of these great habits were made possible thanks to the support of sponsorship and donations made to our other projects and programs. We hope these top 5 “New Year’s Inspiration” photos will motivate you to continue or adopt your own healthy habits this year!

#5: Get more physical activity!

These boys from our Santiago site in Chile love staying active with exercise equipment! They attend a school for children with motor and intellectual impairments. Equipment such as exercise balls help the children improve their motor skills in physical therapy. The support the school receives from donations through our gift catalogue and other programs has been essential for the success of their students.
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Abdul’s amazing ability

In a tiny, poor village in the state of Assam, India, Abdul was born to caring parents. While his parents were shocked and confused to see his differently-formed hands, they loved him and were determined to help him reach his full potential.

Abdul’s father left for work early each morning, earning daily wages at the railway station while his mother stayed home to care for him. As he grew, she taught him how to be independent and embrace his abilities. Though his childhood had a lot of challenges, with the unwavering support of his mother, he was admitted to a neighboring school. Initially he found it difficult to write but gradually he learned by holding a pencil with his two fingers. He was not going to let a disability overtake his life.

In 2011, Abdul was overjoyed to learn he had been chosen by a Chalice sponsor, which brought great relief to his family who struggled to afford his schooling. The help, support, and guidance of his sponsor was invaluable, and provided a great source of inspiration for his studies.

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Laughter, prayer, and Christmas blessings in Neema, Tanzania

The children and staff from our Neema site in Tanzania wish you warm Christmas blessings filled with holy joy, prosperity, and hopeful blessings for the future.

“Christmas comes to our life every year with new hope and love to each and every person of the world,” says Sr. Mary Grace, our Neema site director.

Last Christmas, children at our Neema site celebrated the Holy Eucharist and offered thoughtful prayers for their beloved sponsors. After prayerfully reflecting upon the birth of Christ, children and their families enjoyed a delicious lunch together. The menu included chicken, chips, salad, rice, and fruit, favourites of many! It was one of the most enjoyable moments of the year.

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Photo Friday: Our top 5 “Christmas card” photos!

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

Every year, sponsored children from all over the world take special time to create a lovely handmade Christmas card for their sponsor. These cards come in all shapes and sizes; children make them with craft materials at our sites or at their homes, and let their creativity shine!

This year, we were lucky enough to snap a few quick photos of a handful of beautiful cards from a selection of our sponsor sites! This week, we’re sharing our top 5 “Christmas cards” that we picked from the selection (though we wish we had the space to post them all!). We hope you love the thought and care that went into these adorable cards filled with Christmas joy.

#5: Snowman celebrations

This adorable snowman card crafted by Jhonny from Bolivia is bursting with Christmas cheer! Jhonny coloured the background and little flags with pencil crayon, and used felt to create a jolly snowman, sparkling Christmas tree, and festive presents. He even used some beads to look like snow. What a cute card! Continue reading “Photo Friday: Our top 5 “Christmas card” photos!”