Over Lm485,000 donated to missions

The missionary movement Gesu fil-Proxxmu distributed Lm485,006 to over 30 Third World regions last year.

Regions in Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya, Peru, Pakistan and India all benefited from the generous contributions of Maltese and Gozitans.

The money was donated to 92 institutes in Brazil, 16 homes in Ethiopia, and 14 homes in Kenya, among others.

A breakdown of the figures has just been published by the movement, which expressed its gratitude to all those who had contributed to its causes.

Fr Gorg Grima, who runs the movement, said: "Maltese and Gozitans have always been generous to the missions...

"Through these donations, thousands upon thousands of children were able to have a daily meal, as well as medicine and schooling."

The movement has just Lm23,543 left in its coffers for this year and Fr Grima appealed for more money to enable the movement to carry out more projects in 2003 which include accommodation for children in Brazil suffering from Aids and four boreholes for the starving population of Ethiopia.

Fr Grima will be going to Ethiopia next month to see the situation for himself.