Bakers raise funds for needy African children

Three South Sudanese kids attend Catholic school, thanks to Immaculate Conception cookie drive

Maddie Buss (left)learned about the plight of
South Sudanese children from Father Martin Ochaya.
Special to The B.C. Catholic.

Carolyn Francis has a story about Maddie Buss, a lector at Immaculate Conception Parish, who along with some friends are selling homemade cookies to raise money for needy children in South Sudan:

The group, from Immaculate Conception Parish in Vancouver, got to know visiting priest Father Martin Ochaya and heard from him about the plight of Sudanese children.

"Maddie spent a few weeks during the summer holidays going to daily morning Mass and reading at the service," said Maddie's mother, Cate Buss. Through this daily interaction Maddie got to know Father Ochaya well.

"As she listened to him talk about the kids in South Sudan the children became very real to her. She wanted to do something to help."

The Church remains the main provider of education in South Sudan. During this time of peace, children are flocking to schools in huge numbers. Schools are unprepared for this, so single classrooms can have up to 200 students. Many of the children are orphans due to AIDS or war.

Read the full story at The B.C. Catholic website.