Trόcaire
Woman at Lake Makomba, Malawi getting fish to eat
(Photo: Jeannie O’Brien, 2013)
Trόcaire had an information event one lovely evening in early June at Manresa, the Jesuit Centre for Spirituality, where the grounds and trees were all lush green. From there, coming down the drive and across the busy Howth road, you can enjoy the full prospect of Dublin Bay’s north side. Enormous Stena Line ships make their way slowly past Dollymount Strand and the drive out along the Bull Wall at full tide is spectacular. But back to Trócaire, and talk of places where such peace and stability are lacking:
Trόcaire’s motto for forty years has not changed; ‘Working for a just world’. And Irish generosity has responded well to this ideal; and the public response to this year’s Lenten appeal is also on target. As Eamonn Meehan, Director, reminded us, this is not an issue of charity but one of simple justice. Evidence of climate change is plentiful in Africa and water shortages threaten human life as well as wiping out livestock. A saying goes in southern Matabeleland (Zimbabwe) that, “If you fall into a river you get up and dust yourself off”.
Yet Trócaire’s assistance has enabled one dried-up lake to refill, bringing hope of consistent irrigation. This has special significance for women who are the traditional drawers of water for families, as well as forming the bulk of the farmer population. For them an ox and simple plough can increase productivity several times over.
A philosophy of development and empowerment is seen as the only sustainable way forward for all local communities as well as whole populations across Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. And young Irish people are becoming more aware of our planet’s fragility by the poetry competition organized by Trócaire and Poetry Ireland. This year their theme is appropriately: ‘It’s up to us’.
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