Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Khartoum (Fides Service)- The Trinitarians in Sudan who work to free child soldiers, and retrieve children from the streets of Khartoum, are planning to open Home in the capital in collaboration with the Order of Mercedarians (Order of Our Lady of Mercy).
In the north there are still many Sudanese who fled here to escape civil war in Southern Sudan. In 21 long years of war many children who has lost their parents were sold to warlords. Some managed to escape this modern form of slavery, but many others are still not free. Associations like Christian Solidarity International promoted by the Trinitarians work to free child slaves and street children.
The Trinitarian Home would also assist children in difficulty. Some of them would like to go back to the south but find it difficult because they have no living relations. Others want to stay in the north hoping to be united with some family member who has been set free.
These children who are Christians do not qualify for government assistance.
The Home would take about 60 to 100 children with 4 dormitories 22 to 25 beds in each, a meeting hall, bathrooms, a refectory, kitchen, a store house, staff bedrooms and a small infirmary .
The project is launched by Trinitarian Solidarity International an association started by the Order of the Trinitarians founded during the time of the crusades whose charisma is liberating victims of slavery and religious persecution, which is also the charisma of the Mercedarian Order founded at the same time.
In Sudan the Order of Trinitarians has worked for years to liberate and care for slave children. The project is supported in Europe by Azione Liberadora NGO connected with the Mercedarian family.
So far the following projects have been achieved in Sudan: Centres for street children have saved 600 children; people go to villages to educate adults; water distribution: over 130,000 litres to Christian schools, churches, Christian centres where people of this religion have no right to water supplies; distribution of 50 wheelchairs saving lives of people unable otherwise to search for food; aid for poor families. Sudan is the poorest country in Africa. There are some people and families who eat only three times a week. The association makes sure these families with a daily meal. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 23/1/2006 righe 41 parole 484)
