October 5, 2012. (Romereports.com) Ten years ago, John Paul II canonized St. Josemaria Escrivá. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to St. Peter's Square, for the special ceremony.
Following the canonization,
the Harambee Foundation was founded on October 6th, 2002. The foundation, helps fund development programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, which was an area of concern for St. Escrivá. In fact the term Harambee, means to work together.
MSGR. JAVIER ECHEVARRÍA
Bishop Prelate of Opus Dei“I thank God and all of you for all the educational projects that have been implemented in sub-Saharan Africa and throughout the world these past ten years. These programs break away from stereotypes. There are of course some injustices that cannot leave anyone indifferent, but Africa is also a land of spiritual values that are important for our time.”Harambee promotes initiatives that improve health, education, rural schools and training centers for women. C
urrently it's developing 46 projects in 17 African countries. The teaching programs it promotes help more than 50,000 people and their teacher training will ultimately affect the education of about 2.5 million children.
THERESA OKAFOR
Research Development Agency, Nigeria“So women in Africa are at a disadvantaged because many of them lack the proper skills, as a result of the education they received. Also these women become victims of human trafficking, many of them are unemployed. Also through Harambee we're trying to see how we can actually change all of that and get them to participate with those skills that they would need able to be useful in the future, and so what we are looking at is education.”In addition to improving conditions of African communities, the foundation also focuses on values and formation, which in turn improves coexistence.
MSGR. ANTHONY BORWAH
Bishop of Gbarnga, Liberia“I think the message of St. Josèmarìa Escrivá is very important for us at this time. After these years of crisis we need to work together, we need to be united, we need to heal the wounds. The wounds that have been there for many years.”Harembee celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. But the celebration also included some work, since members of the foundation also talked about future projects.
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