Sr Annie Catania, a Dorothean nun who is currently in Malta visiting family, has a “big dream” that will change the lives of 200 deprived families living in Quezon City in the Philippines.
“It’s such a large dream, only a miracle can make it come true,” the 74-year-old said softly. Eyes shining, she continued: “I want to buy 350 square metres of land and build rooms with a toilet and a kitchen, enough to house 200 families. It would be like a little village.
“I’ve already been approached by an organisation which is prepared to erect all the buildings for free. All I need is the land, but it costs €200,000. So far I’ve only collected €4,000.
“But I won’t give up. People are so giving. A few years ago, following an appeal in this newspaper, we were able to offer 15 scholarships to send children to school to get an education that would lift them out of the crippling cycle of poverty.
“The readers were so generous and kind. I’m so proud to be Maltese.”
The tireless nun has been working in the Philippines for the past 10 years.
At their house of formation, the sisters offer free preschool education for undernourished children.
They run a livelihood programme teaching mothers useful skills and crafts such as cooking, sewing and crochet.
They also run a feeding programme, where the malnourished children and their mothers can eat their only warm, healthy meal of the day.
Out of their own pocket, they often drive the sick to a doctor and pay the required fees.
“Yet I feel that I am learning from them. Despite their abysmal living conditions, they are always so happy,” she said.
The Philippines, Sr Annie hastened to add, was a very beautiful country.
But, as often happened within large countries, the rift between the very rich and the very poor ran deep.
She recalled entering a hot, humid room that served as a home for a family of five. Adding to its miniscule proportions, the room had a slanting roof, similar to that of an attic, further restricting the space.
The muddy floor was uneven, meaning only one adult could sleep at a time. The parents used to take it in turns to sleep.
Their youngest child, still an infant, was placed in a makeshift hammock.
“The wife used to ask me for pieces of cardboard. I thought she used to sell them. Then I learnt it was their bed.”
All I need is the land, but it costs €200,000. So far I’ve only collected €4,000
Both parents were hardworking – the mother would spend an entire day washing people’s clothes while her husband would drive a tricycle – and earn €3 a day.
“They don’t sleep well at night and they don’t eat well, which means they have no energy, which in turn makes it even harder to work. It’s a whole vicious cycle. It’s as if they’re imprisoned – they can’t do better.
“Please help me restore some dignity to these 200 families and give them the opportunity to live a life that bears a shade of resemblance to ours.”
• Those who wish to help Sr Annie fulfil her dream of building houses for the poor may send a donation to St Dorothy’s Convent, Mdina Road, Żebbuġ or to Bank of Valletta account: 18208305010.
On August 31, Sr Annie will be organising a buffet at Suncrest Hotel, Qawra, at 8pm. Tickets cost €18 for adults and €9 for children. All proceeds will go to the cause.