31 Jul 2024
SOUP KITCHENS IN MARACAIBO
MSCs in Maracaibo, Venezuela, are running several soup kitchens across multiple locations in local barrios, urban neighbourhoods where the populations are very poor. One such facility is in the barrio of Virgin del Carmen, where poverty is rife and living conditions are extremely difficult.
This area is home to communities of native Indian and indigenous Wayu people who came originally from Guajira, which crosses the border with Columbia. They arrive with nothing, in the hope of a better life for their families and themselves, yet life in the barrio brings its own challenges.
The people here make their homes using basic materials, and take on what jobs they can find with little or no education, such as cleaning or housekeeping. Due to the economic and political crises in Venezuela, the people who owned their own homes and would hire domestic staff are now emigrating themselves, abandoning their houses in the hope of better prospects elsewhere, and leaving no work for those who remain to support their families.
BRINGING BREAD TO THE HUNGRY
The barrio of Mirtha Fonseca is named after an indigenous Wayu woman. This barrio has a sewage system running along its periphery, making living conditions very unhealthy for the people living there.
MSC Summer Appeal 2024: Helping those in need in Maracaibo, Venezuela
MSC Summer Appeal 2024: Helping those in need in Maracaibo, Venezuela
MSC Summer Appeal 2024: Helping those in need in Maracaibo, Venezuela
Irish MSC Fr John Jennings built a church here with the support of our mission friends in previous years, and MSCs in the area now work with the help of local catechists who prepare the people for First Holy Communion and Confirmation, while also helping with the church and liturgies.
Mass is said every Sunday at Maria Auxiliadora y San Jose church. Galwayman and local curate Fr Tom MSC, purchases bread each week, and after Mass, this is distributed to parishioners who are hungry and depend hugely on this weekly provision.
A LIFELINE FOR POOR FAMILIES
Our current soup kitchens also serve communities at the chapel of the Sacred Heart at El Cujicito and La Ezparanza high-rise apartments. The facilities on hand are far from state-of-the-art kitchens, but are the basic resources we have to feed as many people as possible.
MSC Summer Appeal 2024: Feeding vulnerable families in Maracaibo, Venezuela
MSC Summer Appeal 2024: Feeding vulnerable families in Maracaibo, Venezuela
MSC Summer Appeal 2024: Feeding vulnerable families in Maracaibo, Venezuela
Working together for positive change
Ministry to the sick is also a large part of our missionary outreach in Maracaibo. Our MSCs provide spiritual support to those in need, and bring food to nourish the sick and housebound.
Catechists working across the barrios also go out to local schools where the children have not been baptised, sharing the love of the Sacred Heart and offering spiritual guidance.
From vital nourishment to spiritual support, our MSCs are doing all they can to help those in real need across the barrios of Maracaibo – and with your help, we can do so much more.
