We are on a Mission for Venezuela and We Thank you!!

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Because of the great support that our non profit organization received in 2019 and the continued assistance of our sponsors and donors, Stewards of Hope is in a good position to survive and continue to support the Missionaries of Charity and Father Angel in Venezuela during the COVID 19 pandemic!  

People in Venezuela are now confined to their homes, unable to work, and starving like never before.  This family pictured has seven of them, including a grandfather, living in their one room home.  The father has a job but there is no work to be found and now with the restrictions from the pandemic, he can not bring home any money to care for his family.  His wife does what she can to feed the family but the cupboards are almost bare. The oldest son is a college student but cannot go to class or work.  The second son is a high school student who also cannot go to school or help his family by working.  The younger two boys are in grade school and preschool and have very little toys, shoes or clothes.  We recently sent them some boxes of necessities and a few fun things for the children.  Watch our Facebook page for updates on when they arrive!  We are so glad we can help them and bring some happiness to their difficult lives. 

The government requires people to apply for a certificate to be able to go places such as to assist an elderly relative or do an essential activity because of the pandemic. If people are moving around without certificates, they could be put in jail for not following the law.  Armed military and police are a common sight in the streets attempting to maintain order.

Luckily, Father Angel and the sisters have the necessary paperwork and can move around to help the people who need it most.  We continue to supply 38 boxes of food and supplies every month to the Missionaries of Charity to spread out among their 7 homes across the country. Sister Jasmin has also asked us to begin sending diapers monthly to their home for the disabled children as their usual resource from Spain cannot help at this time.  We are so happy to be able to fill that need at the moment. Shipments are on their way all because of your support!

Father Angel Castillo, and his parish in  Barquisimeto need our help now more than ever!   We currently are sending him nearly 30 boxes of supplies each month. Twenty of those boxes include rice meals and canned meat. The other 10 include other food items, toiletries, shoes, clothes, and a few treats as needed.  He frequently sends us information about specific needs of particular families, such as the one pictured above, so we can help in that way as well.

Father Angel and Sister Jasmin of the Missionaries of Charity request prayers most of all.  They see their people suffering so greatly and there is so very little hope of change.  Please remember them in your prayers as often as possible.

Currently, Stewards of Hope has put all fundraising on hold because we know people are suffering job losses, reductions in income, and other hardships here in the US as well.  We look forward to getting back to that really soon as we rely on fundraisers and donations to keep up this mission.  If you ae blessed and not already a monthly sponsor, please consider making a one time donation or joining our sponsorship program.  We need you to make 2020 a year of great hope for these suffering people.  These children, families and vulnerable adults NEED YOU! PLEASE SIGN UP TODAY!  Just email Michele at mcapelle@stewardsofhope.org for details!