Archive News at Tuesday’s Child

View press releases here »

Children of East Africa Appeal
Drought, war and increasing food costs have brought starvation back to East Africa and an estimated 10 million people face famine. These are the worst droughts in 60 years. With no rain, there are no crops and livestock are dying.

People are leaving Somalia and walking south for hundreds of miles in search of food and water and children are the most vulnerable. Some children didn't survive the journey, others lost their families along the way and each day about 1200 malnourished children arrive in refugee camps, exhausted, dehydrated and simply starving.

More than half of the people in the camps are children under 11 years old and overcrowding is bringing further health and sanitation problems. Tuesday's Child needs your help to provide food-aid to these children. We give 100 percent of donations received.

Help Children in Pakistan
Tuesday's Child is co-ordinating free airlifts of aid to help babies and children affected by the floods in Pakistan. Can you help? Please check out the essential items needed for the airlift at www.tuesdayschild.org.uk and leave at one of our drop-off points or donate online at www.justgiving.com/tuesday-s-child

Help Children in Gaza
Tuesday's Child completed the Dublin Marathon on Mon 25th October to raise funds for our feeding programme for children in Gaza. You can still support our marathon effort at www.justgiving.com/tuesdayschilddubcitmar

A date for your diary
Sat 18th December '10 - Christmas Gala Ball, Belfast City Hall. Proceeds to Tuesday's Child projects for children around the world.

Emergency appeal for Pakistan
Imagine... An area 5 times the size of Ireland flooded; twice the population of Ireland, North and South, homeless; all of the children going back to school here at risk of death from starvation, diarrhoea and other diseases. This is the horror of Pakistan.

Please support our appeal today. For how YOU can help click here »

Donate at www.justgiving.com/Tuesday-s-Child

Click on the Poster image to download a copy to post in your workplace

Tuesday’s Child Party in Gaza for Children of Zeitoun Massacre, Sunday 13th June 2010

Tuesday’s Child had a party for 100 children in Gaza affected by the Zeitoun Massacre, one of the worst war crimes of Operation Cast Lead.
We met the children of the extended Samouni families in January and promised them a party this summer after school finished.

The children enjoyed the fun and games and Charlie the pantomime horse was a big hit.
There was singing dancing, party games, clowns and face-painting. Each of the children received lunch and juice and a gift purchased by Tuesday’s Child donors in Northern Ireland.

Behind the smiles, these children are deeply traumatised. All lost loved ones and 60 of the children lost one or both parents and many were badly injured.
Read the full press release here » and view more More photos on our facebook page here »

Dublin City Marathon, October 2010
Thinking of running a marathon?
Join us in the Dublin City Marathon and raise funds for children in Gaza.
Donate at www.justgiving.com/tuesdayschilddubcitmar

A Letter to Tuesday's Child , 4 June 2010
(Click to view larger)

Hearing aid supplies arrive in Gaza, 20 April 2010

Dr Akram Eid receives hearing aid supplies in Jabalyia
Batteries for hearing aids

The deaf clinic in Jabalyia refugee camp received one year’s supply of hearing aids batteries from Tuesday’s Child for 86 children attending the deaf school. Each hearing aid needs a battery per month and many children are unable to use their hearing aids as batteries are not permitted under the siege. New hearing aids are also needed. Speaking from the clinic, audiologist Dr Akram Eid said, “We are very grateful to Tuesday’s Child. The provision of hearing aid batteries will help are deaf students very much”. Hundreds of children are presenting with deafness from post-traumatic hearing loss after the aerial, sea and land bombardment of Operation Cast Lead and need support. If you can sponsor a child through their deafness, please get in touch at info@tuesdayschild.org.uk

	Abed

Rami Elhanan, Israeli peace activist

Once, a voice in the darkness, Rami’s voice speaks a truth, that the world needs to hear. We are proud to call Rami our friend.
Read his speech here »

		Please dig deep and sponsor our team online at Just Giving or Paypal. donate at...   In the UK donate at the justgiving.com link, in Ireland (roi) donate via PayPal
Team Tuesday's Child

Battle for Palestine, 12 April 2010
Tuesday’s Child gave an invited lecture tonight to the “Battle for Palestine” course in Queen’s University, Belfast, directed by Richard Irvine, Lecturer in Politics. Tuesday’s Child shared our experience of our 4 trips to the Gaza strip since we started working in the besieged strip in 2007. Also, presenting tonight, Ronan Quinn, from EAPPI, who shared his experience of human rights breaches against Palestinians while monitoring check points in the West Bank. Thanks to Richard’s class who made a donation of £200 to Tuesday’s Child work for children in the Holy Land.

		Our grateful appreciation to the Shrapnel appeal,co-ordinated by the Ardoyne Association. Proceeds of the appeal are shared equally between Tuesday’s Child and Concern. To date the Shrapnel appeal has raised £1,210 for Tuesday’s Child projects.
Marie McKee of The Ardoyne Association

Dublin Pub Quiz, 12 March 2010
A big thanks to Ciara Begley, second year student in politics at Trinity College Dublin who organised a pub quiz in MacTorcaills pub tonight in Dublin. The quiz raised 700 Euro and will go to helping children in Gaza. Thanks to everyone who supported the event. Ciara has a particular interest in human rights issues. Ciara will be competing in the Belfast marathon for Tuesday’s Child and will be spending the summer on an overseas placement with Tuesday’s Child. Well done also to Ireland in their victory over Wales the following day!

	A Medieval siege

UNRWA Chief, John Ging

Micheal Martin breaks siege of Gaza, 25 February 2010
Irish Foreign Minister Micheal Martin entered the Gaza strip yesterday via Egypt. He is the second EU minister to access Gaza since the devastating Operation Cast Lead last year. Micheal Martin tried to get into Gaza in December but Israel refused to let him in.

The visit was facilitated by UNRWA Chief of staff John Ging. Hopefully, the visit will raise awareness of the sheer scale of human suffering in the Gaza strip. The collective punishment and slow starvation of 1.5 million people, 54 percent of whom are children is a crime against humanity. COME ON THE IRISH!

Speaking from Gaza, UNRWA Chief John Ging said “It is a very important step, hopefully now other EU ministers will follow suit”.

Singalonga The Sound of Music, 25 February 2010
The hills around Belfast were alive with the Sound of Music  last night. Our singalong Sound of Music Cinema night proved a big hit. The audience sang along to all the songs from the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, featuring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plumber, telling the true story of the von Trapp .  Some of the audience, entered into the spirit of the night by dressing up as nuns, naval captains and Austrians. Everyone attending received a piece of curtain material, edelweiss and booed fabulously when the countess and the soldiers came on screen. Thanks to our own Margaret McAuley (Mother Abess) and Patricia Murphy (Captain von Trapp) for their help. Raffle prizes included an MP3 player donated by CS Suppliers, Belfast, a deluxe hamper donated by Avoca, a children’s guitar donated by Tuesday’s Child, a Sound of Music song book donated by Matchetts Music and tickets to The Sound of Music musical running in Belfast this week. Speaking at the event, Tuesday’s Child said, that “The Sound of Music tells the story of a happy family fleeing their homeland in the face of war. The tragedy in Gaza, is that families have nowhere to flee too, they were trapped within a wall of steel”. The event raised £1100 for Tuesday’s Child.

Two Little Ducks, 22 February 2010
Crown Bingo in Newcastle-upon-Tyne nominated Tuesday’s Child as their chosen charity of the month for February 2010 raising £110. Each month Crown Bingo hold a charity bingo session and donate 50 percent of prize pools to a chosen charity. “Crown Bingo are very happy to show our support for such a great cause”, said Crown Bingo’s marketing manager, Ashley Gribben. “We hope our donation helps Tuesdays Child accomplish its goal to bring hope to the world's most vulnerable children”.

Belfast Pub Quiz, 4 February 2010
Judes Bar was the venue for Peggy Sheridan and Josie McVeigh’s pub quiz tonight in Belfast in aid of children in Gaza.  There was a great turn out and special thanks to all of the sponsors of the event for sponsoring a quiz round each. Special thanks to: The Rose and Crown Bar, Sheridan and Leonard Solicitors, Elliott, Duffy Garret Commercial Lawyers, J and F Trucks, Olympian United Football Club, Drinks Inc. Thanks also for the raffle prizes include vouchers from Soul Food, Georgie and Gina’s Beauty Salon and Judes Bar. Also to quiz master for the night Phil Sheridan for a very challenging quiz. The event raised £1815 for Tuesday’s Child.

St Lukes Sale of Work, 1 February 2010
Thanks to Fr John Murray P.P. of St Luke’s Parish, Twinbrook for inviting Tuesday’s Child to have a sale of work from Gaza.

The colourful pieces of embroidery and cross stitch proved very popular with the congregation and thanks to everyone who supported it.

The sale of work raised £263.00 and all proceeds will go to women in Gaza who make embroidery in their own homes.

Children of Gaza
In January 2010, Tuesday’s Child met many bereaved children and heard their stories of living through the horror of war.

These children continue to live in extreme poverty and hardship, they are traumatised and cannot understand why the world does not seem to care about them and thousands upon thousands of children just like them living in captivity. The children of Gaza show incredibly bravery in the face of adversity. The inhumanity has to stop and this cruel siege has to end. The future of all of our children depends on it. Read more... »
Mona »		Abdullah »		Zaineb »

Catch up with our most recent Gaza blog » and become our friend on Facebook »

Child prisoners in Israeli jails, 16 Jan 2010

Nileen Village

Today, Tuesday’s Child travelled to the village of Nileen in the West Bank and met with 7 child prisoners and heard their testimonies. In the last year an estimated 700 children were imprisoned in Israeli prisons in the West Bank and currently 320 children are in jail.  The most common charge is throwing stones. The experience is hugely traumatizing, and sentences range from anything from several weeks to up to 6 months. The most common age is 16 yrs old, an important time for education and academic performance. Children often lose a year of schooling or sometimes drop out altogether. Others are too traumatised after their experience to focus at school to do well. Some lose their spot on sports teams, an important outlet for the stress of day-to-day life for a teenager in Palestine. Many of the children, also have a brother or parent also in jail. Last week, 17 children were arrested from this village alone. The youngest of the former child prisoners we spoke with today, is Mohammed, now 13 yrs old. Mohammed was just 11 yrs old when he was arrested from his home. To read Mohammed’s story click here »

To Gaza With Love Tuesday, 5th January 2010
Tuesday’s Child crossed into Gaza this afternoon at 3 p.m. local time. We brought supplies for children into the strip and were warmly welcomed by our aid team who have been working under the most difficult conditions to support poverty-stricken children in this war-torn region. “It is great to be back, just fantastic”, said Tuesday’s Child, “Al Hamdullilah”! Tuesday’s Child brings with them the gifts purchased for children by people at home in Ireland through our Following Yonder Star Christmas appeal. A huge thanks to everyone who supported the campaign and our journey to Gaza. Read more »

One Year On From Gaza by Professor Nurit Peled Elhanan, Saturday 2nd January 2010
		Israeli peace activist, Professor Nurit Peled Elhanan gave a speech today in Tel Aviv entitled “One Year On From Gaza”, marking the first anniversary of the carnage of Operation Cast Lead. Nurit’s only daughter, Smadar, was killed in Jerusalem when she was 13 yrs old by a suicide bomber. Nurit does not blame the suicide bomber, but the Israeli oppression of Palestinians as the indirect cause of her beloved daughter's death. "My little girl was murdered because she was an Israeli, by a young man who was humiliated, depressed and desperate to the point of suicide, murder and inhumanity just because he was Palestinian". Nurit is an incredible woman and Tuesday’s Child is proud to call her our friend. Many who gathered to hear Nurit’s profound words wept. You can read Nurit's speech here »
Nurit Peled Elhanan

Happy New Year Sunday, 31st December 2009
Tuesday’s Child attended a candlelit vigil in The Little Flower chapel, Somerton Road tonight. Celebrant Fr Gerry McCloskey asked for prayer for peace in all war-torn areas of the world. He offered a special prayer for the children of Gaza and for an end to their suffering. He also prayed for Tuesday’s Child to wish them a safe journey and a successful trip into Gaza and distribution of aid to those most in need.

Golden Jubilee Congratulations, Sunday 20th December 2009
Tuesday’s Child attended the Golden Jubilee mass celebrating 100 years of priesthood  for Fr Myles Kavanagh and Fr Ephrem. The mass paid tribute to these two men and gave thanks for their service to the Passionists in the 50 years since they were each ordained. Tuesday’s Child also attended a dinner in The Star in Ardoyne, proceeds of which were kindly shared between Tuesday’s Child and Concern. The evening raised 1700 pounds and all proceeds will go to hungry children in Gaza. A heartfelt thanks to Fr Myles and Fr Ephrem for their incredible generosity.

Ballyarnett Bag Packers go for gold, Saturday 19th December 2009
Thanks to The Bonner family up in Ballyarnett for another bag packing session in stores.  Their efforts raised £500 proceeds of which will go to Vares orphanage in Bosnia Herzegovina.

Kris Kindle in Killester, Saturday 12th December 2009
Maria Cleary from Dublin bought two of Tuesday’s Child’s double music albums as presents for her office party Kris Kindle this evening in Dublin. “I was at the fantastic concert for Gaza in Vicar Street earlier this year and bought the album then which I thought was great so wanted to give them as presents this year”, said Maria. The Tuesday’s Child album is available for purchase from the online store together with our T-shirts, silver pins and Christmas cards. So if you still haven’t finished your Christmas shopping why not buy a gift that gives twice. You can also download the album from the store as either individual cds or the double album.

Bikes for Bosnian children, Friday 11th December 2009

		Tuesday’s Child sent bicycles to orphaned children in Vares in Northern Bosnia today. All children have a right to play and leisure. Most of us can recall the joy of our first bike and the sheer excitement of getting a bike at Christmas and the hours of endless fun our cherished bike brought. Many children don’t have bikes at all, or if they do, they are of poor quality, or more often second hand and long past their best cycling days. The children in Vares only have two bikes to share between them, both very old and no longer wanted by their previous owners. The bicycles en route to Bosnia are the Mercedes of children’s bicycles. “Orphaned children deserve the very best and we know these beautiful bikes will be a source of great excitement and happy cycling for these children. I wish we could be there on Christmas morning to see their faces”, said Tuesday’s Child. Thanks to McConvey cycles on the Ormeau Rd (www.mcconveyscycles.com), Belfast, who gave us fabulous BMX and Mercedes bikes at cost price.
Some of the bikes bound for Bosnia

		Thanks also to Fiona Kelly of Road of Hope in Rasharkin for transporting the bikes for us with their wonderful convoy of 7000 shoe boxes to children in Eastern Europe this Christmas. If you can buy a new bike for an orphaned child please get in touch at info@tuesdayschild.org.uk.
Vares, Bosnia Herzegovina

Thank you Santa! Friday 11th December 2009
Tuesday’s Child received a donation from Santa today for £15. Many thanks Santa! It was very good of Santa to spare £15 for Tuesday’s Child when we he has so many children shop for this Christmas already. The post-code on the envelope said Belfast, so he must have popped over here on his sleigh for a day to do some of his Christmas shopping.

A Pint with Da Thursday, 10th December 2009

		Tuesday’s Child had a pint with Da this afternoon in The Crown Bar in Belfast. A pint with the fabulous Tim McGarry was an auction prize earlier this year in Tuesday’s Child’s Music Gigs for Gaza and being a fan of Da, Tuesday’s Child bid on the prize herself! There was considerable interest in the bid and when it finally went under the hammer the pint with Belfast’s best loved comedian raised enough money to feed a family of six children in Gaza for 5 months; quite a pint and perhaps one of the most important pulled by Belfast’s equally famous pub! Tuesday’s Child learned a lot about Tim over a few pints and hadn’t realized that Da was a true champion of human rights in his day. As a student at Queen’s, many decades ago, Tim was a passionate campaigner for human rights in Nicaragua and El Salvador and regularly organised charity events. Indeed his pioneering work laid the template for the United Nations Human Rights Declaration, celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. His thesis for his law degree was entitled “The Morality and Legality of American Intervention in Nicaragua”, which he humbly adds “it’s got best seller written all over it”!
A pint with Tim McGarry in The Crown
As a practicing lawyer, in the second world war years, he specialised in equality and fairness and was based in the Equality Office. Tim and Tuesday’s Child, had a great chat, discussed world politics, ending world poverty and even hammered out a plan for an end to the conflict in between Israel and Palestine, concluding that a few pints all round might help considerably! It was a pleasure meeting Tim, he is very witty, good craic and fair play to him for being up for being auctioned. Tim congratulated Tuesday’s Child on their work for children. Speaking to rapidly gathering fans crowding around the snug in the Crown, all hoping for a pint and a photo opportunity, Tim explained “Tuesday’s Child has been hounding me for a pint for months, I had to go in the end for it was the only way she’d give my head peace!”. Bring it back BBC N.Ireland!

St Anne’s Third World Group, Derriaghy, Wednesday 9th December 2009
The Third World Group in St Anne’s Parish in Derriaghy kindly donated £1000 towards Tuesday’s Child’s Christmas appeal today. The donation will buy three gifts each for 100 children in the Holy Land. Many thanks St Anne’s!

Golden Rose, Queen of Ireland, Tuesday 8th December 2009
Tuesday’s Child attended the all night vigil tonight in the National Marian shrine of Ireland, in Knock tonight for the feast of the Immaculate Conception to pray for peace in Palestine and Israel and justice for every child being persecuted in the ongoing conflict there. The celebrant Fr Michael called on the 5000 strong congregation to pray rosaries for the children in the Holy Land at the request of Tuesday’s Child. More prayer is needed against the evils perpetrated against children in Palestine and to bring an end to the cruel blockade and ongoing persecution of children in Gaza.

It is hard to believe that just one hour west of Bethlehem children in Gaza are being brutalised and murdered and that less than one hour east of Behtlehem in Ramallah, children are subjected to terrible persecution. Our prayer, this Christmas, that the Infant Child will bless all the dear children in His tender care, in both Palestine and Israel, with His gift of peace. Also, as in the words of the anthem to Our Lady of Knock, that “The lamb will conquer and the woman clothed with the sun, will shine her light on everyone”.

Following Yonder Star to Dublin, Monday 7th December 2009

Tuesday’s Child launched its Christmas appeal for children in Gaza today in Dublin. Aadit Jatar 7, Eoin Martin 8 and Paddy Johansson 7 from the Bishop Shanahan National School in Templeogue helped to launch the appeal.

The photo was taken in Finglas by Irish Photographer of the Year 2008 David Cantwell who kindly donated his services to Tuesday’s Child.

There Is No Rose - Trinity Boydell Singers, Saturday 6th December 2009
The fabulous Trinity Boydell Singers, chamber choir of Trinity College Dublin gave a stunning recital this evening in St George’s Church, High St, Belfast. There Is No Rose…Songs of Advent and Christmas was conducted by Roisin Blunnie and included: Christmas Kyrie, Ave Maria, There is No Rose, Hymn To The Virgin, A Spotless Rose and Nowell, Nowell, Nowell, among other songs. A collection was taken before and after this afternoon’s performance in aid of Tuesday’s Child. Thanks to the Trinity Boydell Singers, St George’s Church and all those who contributed. The collection raised £215, which will go towards Tuesday’s Child’s Christmas appeal.

Following Yonder Star, Tuesday 1st December 2009
Pupils of St Joseph's Primary School, Lisburn help to launch the Christmas appeal

Tuesday's Child launched its Christmas appeal for children in Gaza today on this the first week of advent. This year, the charity will be focusing on children in Gaza. Each child will receive three gifts: a hot lunch, a pair of shoes and a toy.Tuesday's Child hopes to reach as many children as possible through the campaign. A donation of £10 covers the cost of the 3 gifts. Alternatively, you may donate the cost of one of the 3 gifts, £3 for a lunch, £4 for shoes and £3 for a toy.

Gifts are available from our online store »
Please download our campaign poster for your school, church or workplace click here »
A press release for the campaign is available in our press room »

Tuesday's Child also hope to donate a gift to the same value to children in nearby Sderot, Israel
We pray that God will bless our campaign and that Muslim, Christian and Jewish children will benefit. We hope our gifts to children affected on both sides of the recent conflict will bring joy and peace in this the season of goodwill. The majority of gifts will go to children in Gaza as thousands of children are starving, traumatised and living in the most inhumane conditions. Our prayer, this Christmas, that Muslim, Christian and Jewish children may live together in peace in God's beloved Middle East.

Bag packing in Ballyarnett, Friday 20th November 2009

		Christina and Charlie Bonner from Ballyarnett in Co Derry organised two bag packs in B & M Bargain Stores, Strand Road, this week for Tuesday’s Child and raised a fantastic £350 All proceeds will go towards helping orphaned children in northern Bosnia. Tuesday’s Child met Christina and Charlie in Medugorje last month. The next bag pack is scheduled for the Saturday before Christmas back in B & M Bargain Stores. Thanks also to all the Ballyarnett shoppers who supported the two nights and also to team Bonner for all the packing! Tuesday’s Child will be there on the 19th December to give a helping hand with the Christmas bag pack. Grease is the Word Sing-a-Long cinema night, Wednesday 18th November 2009
Christina Bonner, Ballyarnett

Grease is the Word Sing-a-Long cinema night,
Wednesday 18th November 2009

		Tuesday’s Child presented a sing-a-long cinema night in Belfast’s Storm Cinema tonight to raise money for children in southern India. The 1978 classic Grease is the Word, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, featured. Pink ladies, T-birds and beauty school drop outs were among those who came along and joined in the fun. The audience sang along to Summer Nights, Greased Lightning, You’re The One That I Want, Hopelessly Devoted To You and Sandy! Guests received an introductory drink and a song book. Raffle prizes on the night included: two beauty boxes donated by Medicare Pharmacy Forestside, a hair treatment voucher donated by Michael Quinn Hairdressing, a fabulous nail treatment by Nails Inc, a children’s guitar, a Grease DVD donated by Good Vibes Record Shop and a Stiff Little Fingers Tour Jacket donated by Tuesday’s Child among many others great prizes. The next sing-a-long cinema night will be The Sound of Music in February. The event raised £1,500. All proceeds will go to children in India.
Grease fans with their raffle prizes
Pink ladies - Louise and Jane

Ballycastle Bling Party for Tuesday’s Child, Tuesday 3rd November 2009
A huge thanks to everyone in Ballycastle who supported the jewellery party organized by Nuala Donnelly for Tuesday’s Child tonight.
Beautiful costume pieces were designed by Briege Faloona from Belfast. The event raised a total of £1000. “This is Briege and Nuala’s second annual event for Tuesday’s Child and we are delighted for their support again this year”, said Tuesday’s Child founder Orla Sheehan “Nuala and Briege are a great team”. All proceeds will go to children in Gaza.

Sinead and Mary’s Halloween Spooky Do, Friday 30th October 2009
Fruithill Bowling Club was haunted tonight by spooky folks at the Halloween pub quiz and disco organized by Sinead Devine and Mary O’Brien for Tuesday’s Child. Over 250 ghouls and ghosts gathered from all over Belfast to join the wicked witches of the West. Party goers danced the night away and there was a prize for the best fancy dress costumes on the night. The party was attended by wizards, witches, monsters, highwaymen, former US presidents, nuns, policewomen, butterflies, flappers, squaws, and sailors. Famous celebrities such as Hannibal Lecter and the Pope himself even put in an appearance. A total of £2,500 was raised on the night. “A huge thanks to everyone who came along and supported the night”, said Tuesday’s Child, “and special thanks to Sinead and Mary for organising a great event”. All proceeds will go to children in Gaza.
Click to view more images »

Tuesday’s Child visits children of Mostar camp in Bosnia Herzegovina, Thursday 8th October 2009
This afternoon, Tuesday’s Child returned to Mostar to visit Romani children living in a camp here in the poorest of conditions. We brought a hamper of groceries for each family in the camp including fresh fruit, vegetables and milk, together with gifts for each of the children including warm pyjamas, toothbrushes, toothpaste, colouring books, crayons and craft sets. These people live without support or government funding and are shunned and stigmatized in society.

The children are often looked down as “beggars and thieves” and snubbed by those who should know better. They are not permitted entry into state schools and have to go to a dedicated “gypsy school”. Children often miss school as they are sent out to beg to make money to support their families from an early age, often staying out all hours unable to return until they have some money. “I have met some of these children on the streets of Mostar at night, cold, hungry and distraught as they cannot go home until they have money to show for their day”, said a local radio broadcaster. “In other parts of Bosnia, traveller children have been maimed to enhance their potential as beggars”, he said. Greater support of this community as a whole will help prevent injustices against these children.

Tuesday’s Child prays for world’s children in Medugorje, Wednesday 7th October 2009
Tuesday’s Child prayed today, the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary, for children living with injustice, particularly those in war-torn areas. No better to place to pray on such a beautiful feast day than in Medugorje. Our prayer today that Our Lady will wrap her mantle around the many children around the world in need of her tender loving care.

Too many children today are suffering not only physically and emotionally, but are starved spiritually. Many parents are neglecting their duty in giving their children their human right the gift of faith. Our prayer, today, that all children, regardless of where they are planted may, in the words of Our Lady of Medugorje “Grow in God’s love as a flower which feels the warm rays of Spring” (Message April 2008).

		The Flax Trust’s Ardoyne Association launched the Shrapnel appeal tonight in the Community Centre in Ardoyne, North Belfast. The project will distribute collection boxes to 5000 homes throughout the Ardoyne parish as part of a loose change or “shrapnel” project. The project is the brainchild of Flax Trust Chairman and former Rector of The Holy Cross Parish, Belfast, Fr Myles Kavanagh. Fr Kavanagh is a champion of social justice brought considerable investment and development to the Ardoyne area since the 1970s.
Ricky Grehan of Tuesday’s Child with Ailish McMahon of the Ardoyne Association at the appeal launch
Proceeds will be divided equally among Tuesday’s Child and Concern. Richard Brehan, a trustee of Tuesday’s Child, was on hand to represent Tuesday’s Child at the launch. “It is an honour and a privilege to avail of this wonderful opportunity” said Mr Grehan, “and, as a truly charitable organization, every penny we receive we will give”. Speaking from Bosnia, Tuesday’s Child founder Orla Sheehan said, “We are very excited about this initiative. The generosity of the people of Ardoyne is well recognised and we are very grateful to the Ardoyne association for including Tuesday’s Child”.

Ugandan educational scholarships, Thursday 1st October 2009
The Ugandan educational scholarships provided by Tuesday’s Child entered into their second year today. Speaking of one of the students by way of example, project co-ordinator Fr Aloysius Bukenya says “Cissy has shown remarkable improvement in her school life and class work and is now entering year 2. All the teachers commend Cissy for her interest in her school work. She is so grateful for the opprortunity to be at school.

If you can sponsor an educational scholarship for a child in secondary or third level education in Uganda please get in touch with us at info@tuesdayschild.org.uk and mark your email Uganda.

Tuesday’s Child makes music in The Congo, Tuesday 29th September 2009
Proceeds from sales of Tuesday’s Child’s double album of Irish music were sent to lend a helping hand to children in Mulongo in Eastern Congo today. Monies will go towards building playgrounds and purchase of sports equipment. The Mulongo project is co-ordinated by Dr Graham Fry, irish physician. neurosurgeon and humanitarian. Some of the children from Mulongo are featured on the Tuesday’s Child double music album insert. Albums are still available for online purchase and 100 percent of proceeds go to children. A great Christmas gift, that gives twice. Buy one today and bring a smile the face of a child.

Tuesday’s Child supports centre for children with disabilities in Israel,Tuesday 22nd September 2009
St Vincent’s in Ain Karem, provides loving care to some 60 disabled children living in St Vincent’s, Ain Karem, the village of the visitation, about 20 minutes outside Jerusalem. The children are from Muslim, Christian and Jewish backgrounds and are cared for by the Daughters of Charity. Tuesday’s Child sent monies for much needed splints and wheelchairs to St Vincent’s today. The centre is also in urgent need of funds to buy diapers for children and to finish the garden and outdoor play area. If you can help these children, please get in touch at orla@tuesdayschild.org.uk and mark your email Israel.

Tuesday’s Child supports the Ark Project in Mazambuka, Zambia, Tuesday 15th September 2009
The greatest cause of death in Zambia is Aids with a HIV prevalence of 17%. The average life expectancy in Zambia is 37 yrs old resulting in an increased number of orphans. Many end up living on the street. Many are sent to relatives, who are unable to care for them, forcing them to face the difficulties of life alone from a young age. Many children do not have the opportunity to receive an education. Their situation often leads then to alcoholism, drugs and prostitution. The Ark project in Mazabuka, Zambia, provides a safe haven, for orphaned teenage boys. It provides safe accommodation, school fees, food, uniforms and bicycles to travel to school. Tuesday’s Child is supporting children enrolled in the Ark project for the coming year. Many more children are in need of support. If you wish to support the Ark Project please get in touch at orla@tuesdayschild.org.uk and mark your email Zambia.

War against Palestinian children continues, Tuesday 8th September 2009
The war against children of Palestine continues with little regard for the sanctity of human life. A 14 yr old boy was shot in Beit Hanoun, Northern Gaza, last Friday and died later of his injuries in hospital. Ghazi, Al-O-Za’anin was shot at close range as he was walking with his father and 3 of his siblings towards their small farm. They were surprised by an Israeli military jeep that stopped opposite them. The children were frightened and ran away as the military opned fire. Ghazi was wounded by a bullet to the head. The family also came under attack again while trying to take the injured boy to hospital. Five days earlier on 31st August 209 another child was shot dead in the West Bank. Medical personnel attempting to bring children to hospital were wounded. “We are outraged by the ongoing murder of innocent children in Gaza” said Tuesday’s Child, “this slaughter has to stop;  the world can no longer afford to stand back and do nothing”.

Meanwhile attacks against Gazan fishermen, some of whom we met on our recent visit to the strip continue. On 27th August, a 25 yr old fisherman was shot and decapitated while fishing 700 meters from the shore and on 31st August 2009, a group of fishermen came under attack while fishing outside the imposed limit. Their boat was bombed and destroyed and several fishermen were wounded.

Tuesday’s Child visits shrine of St Padre Pio to pray for children of Palestine, Saturday 29th August 2009
Tuesday’s Child visited the shrine of St Pio of Pietrelcina in San Giovanni Rotundo today to pray for an end to the persecution of children living in Palestine. St Padre Pio, Capuchin and stigmatic priest, who bore the wounds of Christ for 50 years, was in daily communication with his guardian angel, Our Lady, Jesus and the Holy Souls and fought daily battles against evil. St Pio who died on 23rd September 1968, was exhumed last year and hundreds of thousands of people have filed passed his body this year, due to be re-interred on his feast day later of this month. St Pio, who has a huge following in Ireland, was dedicated to the relief of human suffering and had a great love of children and of the poor. St Pio communicated through guardian angels the way we use e-mail today. Tuesday’s Child also visited the shrine of St Michael the Archangel, St Rita, St Clare and St Francis as well as the house of the Holy Family in Loreto. Prayers were also requested to inspire the Elders group visiting and assessing the crisis in Palestine this week.

Urgent help needed to build school in Tanzania, Tuesday 25th August 2009 Primary school enrollments and literacy rates in African countries are among the lowest in the world and an estimated 115 million children still remain out of school. Of the children who do enter primary school, approximately 25 percent do not complete and closing the educational gap is a challenge. A primary school just getting underway in Masanga village, in Rogoro parish, Tanzania, and is in urgent need of support. It is hoped that the Masanga school will provide primary education to 630 children and create employment in this poorest of areas, hub to some 8 surrounding rural villages. Perhaps a school you attend or teach in would be interested in partnering with this project? If so please get in touch and email us at info@tuesdayschild.org.uk and mark your email Tanzania

Back to School in Mozambique, Monday 24th August 2009
Manjangue school in Mozambique needs urgent funds to support a critical nutritional programme, train and develop new teachers and provide uniforms and learning materials for 350 primary school children who are poor, orphaned and vulnerable. The project plans for a daily nutritious meal for every child, a lifeline to many who are victims of malnutrition resulting from poor harvests and family poverty. Of these, 77 % of children are of high risk because they are orphans (many AIDs orphans) or abandoned by their parents who have fled to South Africa in search of employment. In addition to provision of education and nutrition, the school is also developing a school garden and banana cultivation cooperative to supplement the school nutritional programme and raise funds by selling crops at the local market. If you can support this project, please get in touch at info@tuesdayschild.org.uk and mark your email Mozambique.

Tuesday’s Child supports children in Tasovici camp in Bosnia, Tuesday 18th August 2009
Tuesday’s Child raffled a 2 for the price of one ticket to Medugorje, kindly donated by Joe Walsh Tours, raising 400 euro towards costs of a summer camp co-ordinated by Roisin Gottschalk from Portstewart for children in Tasovici camp in Bosnia. The prize was raffled in The Drummond House Hotel in Ballykelly, Co. Derry. The lucky winner of the ticket was Brendan McCool from Omagh who plans to travel to Medugorje with his wife and a group of pilgrims from Co Derry in October this year. “This will be my first visit to Medugorje thanks to Tuesday’s Child and we are really looking forward to it”, said Brendan.

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