Lenten appeal comes full circle
A young mother from Rwanda has thanks the people of Cork for their generosity after this year's Trocaire Lenten campaign came to an end.
25 years ago, Josiane Umumarashavu, who was aged three, survived the genocide which saw her father, sister and two of her brothers killed along with almost one million people.
With her mother struggling to provide for her three children in the aftermath of the atrocity, Josiane featured on more than one million Trocaire boxes that reached homes in Cork and across Ireland in 2004. Thanks to donations from the public during this Lent campaign, Josiane and her family, along with thousands of others, received support and equipment to help them improve their farming.
Today, 15 years later, Josiane, 28, is now a successful businesswoman and is married with a six-month old baby boy, Gianni. Graduating with a qualification in business management and accounting, she now works in Trocaire’s office in Rwanda.
“I am very happy,” says Josiane.
“Trócaire, and the supporters across Ireland, have made my dreams come true. Life was very difficult after the genocide. We didn’t have enough to eat and we couldn’t afford the fees to allow me to continue my studies after primary school. But thanks to Trocaire supporters, not only was I able to go to secondary school, but I then went to university.
“I am very proud that I now work for Trocaire and can help others, as well as taking care of my baby son. I want to say a big thank you to Trocaire supporters in Ireland - you have helped to change my life and that of my family, and you should be proud that you are helping so many people.”
Caoimhe de Barra, CEO for Trócaire explained: “Josiane and her family is just one example of how the generous support from the public in Cork is having a massive impact on those in the developing world, and how the spare change in the Trocaire boxes can really make a lasting difference for many years to come.
Trócaire boxes can be returned to parishes or to the local Trocaire centre at 9 Cook Street.