A NORTH Belfast woman has urged anyone considering making a donation to charity this festive season to consider a global movement which aims to provide one daily meal to a child in some of the world's poorest countries.
Mary Maskey became involved with Mary's Meals in 2015 after reading about the global movement and the work it carries out.
The charity has set up school feeding projects in some of the world’s most poorest communities, where poverty and hunger prevent children from gaining an education.
It provides one daily meal in a place of learning in order to attract hungry children into the classroom.
Through this, children also gain an education which acts as a ladder out of poverty.
After researching the charity, Mrs Maskey and her family sponsored a school in Liberia, where 71 per cent of the people live in poverty and 25 per cent are classified as extremely poor.??
As a result, educational outcomes for children, especially girls, are extremely poor.
In the first year, the Maskey family raised enough money to feed the 547 pupils at the school for one year through a series of fundraisers.
Since then, they have continued to support the charity and have now urged anyone considering a donation this festive season to think about Mary's Meals which has a variety of ways to donate from monthly payments to one-off donations.
In addition, the charity has been chosen by the UK government to be part of its `Double the Love' campaign, which means that up until January 2021, every £1 donated to Mary's Meals, will be doubled by them.
Mrs Maskey urged anyone thinking about a charitable donation to consider Mary's Meals.
"We have now had the opportunity to name our school Tír na nÓg (Land of Youth)," she said.
"Each year, we receive a report and are able to follow the progress of our school and the difference our donations are making to these children. This motivates the family as there is a sense of ownership and commitment to support our school".
Mrs Maskey said her family are indebted to all those who continue to support them in aid of Mary's Meals.
"We have donation boxes in local shops who continually return them to us filled throughout the year and are happy to continue to collect on behalf of the school," she said.
"Each year we do a big event in Edgewater Caravan Park, Minerstown and the theme varies from golf tournament, football tournament, art auctions etc, and we always finish the day off with a celebration in Minerstown Tavern with further ballots and fundraising. Our friends in Minerstown, their support and generosity never ceases to amaze us."
She added: "December is a month when people give to charities.
"We would ask anyone thinking of making a donation to consider Mary's Meals given the fact that the government will double your donation."
Further details are available at www.marysmeals.org.uk
