Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lisbon (Agenzia Fides) - The Order of Hospitaller Brothers of St John of God on June 12, launched its own St John of God Foundation to raise funds and work in the field of healthcare with other Foundations and NGOs. St John of God Foundation will promote cooperation among countries to promote peace and development, social solidarity and human development. Paulo Bernardino, chairman of the St John of God Foundation, considers says this work of supporting programmes to assist the sick, the elderly, and the people most in need is not only of the Order, it belongs to the whole Church.
The St John of God Foundation will increase awareness, raise funds and build a network of solidarity and hospitality. It has government recognition and the status of an NGO for development.
The first St John of God Foundation campaign 'War Innocents' will be in aid of children victims of anti-personnel mines and infantile polio in Angola. The Foundation says that although the war in Angola ended five years ago, 80,000 Angolans still suffer the consequences. Many of them are victims of anti-personnel mines including about 8,000 children and adolescents who have had an amputation.
The St John of God Hospital in Portugal has formed a special team of doctors and rehabilitation personnel to welcome a group of these children and give then the necessary physical and psychological assistance. The Campaign also plans to train between 4 and 6 young Angolans in orthopaedics and rehabilitation techniques which will be an important help for the future of the rehabilitation of disabled persons in Angola. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 15/6/2007; righe 23, parole 323)
