Debbie Chadwick tells the story of Merline in Madagascar and the efforts of the LCUSA/AIC Madagascar Twinning Committee to provide food and life-changing literacy skills.

Dear Ladies of Charity,

As Ladies of Charity we join 150,000 members in 53 national associations across the world dedicated to the Mission of St. Vincent de Paul and St. Louise de Marillac. We are called to continue the Mission they began in 1617 continuing the fight against all forms of poverty and marginalization not only at home but throughout the world. Globalization, systemic change, and twinning are terms we are familiar with directly relating to our Mission with AIC Madagascar specifically targeted toward women and their children.

AIC Madagascar continues to express sincere appreciation on behalf of the volunteers for your continuing prayers and financial support. We want you to meet one of the women, a Mother of five children, Merline. Merline’s children are able to attend school, a school that AIC built for the small community to help the children out of poverty through a strong educational foundation. Merline raises chickens to support her family. The children help when they have completed their studies making the business a true family effort. Merline expressed to the AIC workers that she plans to purchase blankets for her children to keep them warm this winter from her independent business that AIC helped her start.

Merline is just one example of the many women in Madagascar that are touched by your generosity. Vocational training courses such as sewing teach skills while creating social links that serve as an important support for the women engaged in the training. 245 children in Madagascar receive literacy and supplemental food while AIC also works with 700 women like Merline, who attend literacy classes that create the confidence to break free of poverty. Your twining project is working! The people of Madagascar need your support to continue the life giving projects dedicated to the well being of its people and the hope for a better tomorrow for themselves and their children.

Systemic change is truly taking place and will continue through your prayers, support, and efforts to help children grow into adults who are successful members of their community, who in turn will continue the growth of systemic change. There are many young children in Madagascar whose stories have yet to be told; children who will grow into the young women and men whose lives will be changed forever because of your support. There are many adults who are learning along with their children and see education and small business endeavors as a way of independence and self reliance.

Thank you for helping create an environment for systemic change in Madagascar where children and women can realize their dreams. Please consider this important Mission as part of your giving both personally and through your local Associations. Gifts are welcome and gratefully accepted at any time. Please help today by mailing your gift to LCUSA National Service Center, 100 N. Jefferson Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103, or by bringing to the LCUSA National Assembly in Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 11-13, 2014.

Sincerely, LCUSA/AIC Madagascar Twinning Committee Debbie Chadwick

For additional information: AIC MADAGASCAR-Web:aic-madagascar.org