Photos: Missionary Society of St Columban

In one of the poorest districts in Peru, thousands of people live in overcrowded wooden shacks clinging low on the sides of hills. Without running water, lack of vegetation and access to public transport, many residents remain trapped in their homes with little contact from the outside world.

With your assistance, Columbans have been able to offer a sense of hope and community to many through their parish outreach programs.

more Columban works...

Shanty towns in Lima, Peru

Almost every year, cyclones hit Fiji resulting in deaths, demolished houses and damaged crops.

When Cyclone Winston hit the parish of Ba, resulting in some minor damage, Columbans and parishioners sprang into action distributing food to nearby villages that had been devastated.

While distributing food rations, they were struck with admiration for the courage and faith of the people of Fiji who refused to be crushed by this very traumatic experience.

The horrors of tropical cyclones in Fiji

Columbans support refugees living in Internally Displaced Person’s (IDP) camps suffering health issues due to poor diets.

During their school holidays, students from the Columban Higher Education Centre spend time in the camps running programs for the children. Columban Fr Neil Magill says, “small acts of caring can help refresh and replenish a young heart who feels uncared for.”

Living in camps, Myanmar