In mid-July of this year, Fr. Bob Maloney reached out to the Vincentian Family to help support the second year of its scholarship program with the Foundation for the Technological and Economic Advancement of Mirebalais (FATEM) to educate economically disadvantaged elementary students in Haiti. With the support of Vincentian Family members, last year FATEM educated more than 2,000 Haitian children in 14 rural schools, each of whom received a nutritious daily meal and the school supplies necessary for success. This was accomplished through Zafèn, the online microfinance initiative the International Vincentian Family created to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the deaths of Vincent de Paul and Louise de Marillac.
The LCUSA responded to Fr. Maloney’s call by providing $1,000 to fund 20 scholarships through Zafen. The LCUSA is grateful to its members for making it possible to help the Vincentian Family reach its goal.
Lately, as Ladies of Charity, we have talked about systemic changes in our organizations. Yet, this is not a new idea. The founder of Ladies of Charity, St. Louise deMarillac, and others, were part of systemic changes from 1625–1635. Your organization may want to learn about these early Ladies of Charity. Sr. Frances, Ryan, D.C., Ph.D., shared that history with the Association of the Ladies of Charity, Milwaukee, WI, at our March 8th Day of Reflection.