Caritas International is a confederation of 165 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations operating in over 200 countries and territories worldwide. Collectively and individually their mission is to work to build a better world, especially for the poor and oppressed. The first Caritas organisation was established by Lorenz Werthmann in 1897 in Germany.
Caritas Cyprus was originally founded to provide support to Cypriot refugees fleeing the North during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
In 1979, Caritas Cyprus became a member of Caritas Internationalis and was registered as an official Cypriot charitable association in 1986. In Larnica, Limassol, Nicosia and Paphos. Since then, it has responded to humanitarian crises on the island with the mission to provide compassionate care and support as well as to bring hope to those living in poverty, the oppressed, and the vulnerable.
Here in Paphos we essential operate Caritas through St Pauls Rome Catholic Church in Kato Paphos.
We have a committee of 11 people and meet regular, normally in various sub-committees. In addition, we have a dedication, hardworking team of around 20 volunteers, who do a wonderful job in caring and supporting the needy.
The major area of our work is to secure funds that enable us to purchase non-perishable food, make up food parcel and arrange collection or distribute to over 200 people. These people come originally from a range of communities, some are refugees, some European, some English and some Cypriote Bulk Buying of Food Every Week.
Most of the people we work with also need help with communications, living costs, medical support and transport. Contrary to what many think, those in need do not get a fortune from Welfare or anywhere else. The basic benefit allowance is €262. It takes around 3 months for the Authorities to process any request for benefits! During that time the applicants will have little or no money to live on. Our help for individuals and families is therefore very much a life saver.
Clothing is another aspect of our work and we have been fortunate to have a storeroom provided free of charge and we are able to store donated clothing, kitchen ware, pots, pans, plates etc., for distribution completely free to those in need. From time-to-time Paphos Post advertises our needs for these people. We are so very grateful for the contribution of all our Donors, our Storeroom Owner and Paphos Post for their wonderful support.
Last but not least of our work is where we have given additional support and assistance in special cases. More recently there has been a need to modify a person’s wheel chair to enable him to cope better with injuries suffered. Two people with Brain tumours have been assisted. One of these had to have surgery abroad and monetary donations to cover the cost of this were made by generous people across the whole of Cyprus.
Every week in St Paul’s Church there is a Food Trolley for people to donate what non-perishable food they wish. Every week our priests are given money to enable Caritas Paphos to spend to make the lives of the needy in our community a little more comfortable. Every week Caritas Volunteers will be giving their efforts, time and quite often money as well to ensure those who need a little help get it.
If you want to know more about Caritas operations here in Paphos and across Cyprus please look at Caritas Cyprus website or Caritas Paphos Facebook page.
If you feel inclined to donate clothing, food or money or think you might like to assist us in anyway, then please contact me by email richardinpeyia@gmail.com
Thank you
Richard J Daly
Co-ordinator and Treasurer Caritas Paphos St Pauls.
(Photo – Some of our wonderful Volunteers at work in our Storeroom. Incidentally all three are Refugees!)
