The Farm Street Support Group of the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), founded by the late Louis Ozanne in 1993, is one of the main charitable activities of this Parish.

The JRS is an international Catholic organisation, founded by Fr Pedro Arrupe, SJ, in 1980. Its mission is to accompany, serve and plead the cause of refugees and forcibly displaced persons through the Jesuits' worldwide organisation and commitment, working with refugees rather than just acting for them at a distance.

This year's appeal is next weekend, 22/23 October, when we will appeal at all Masses on behalf of refugees in northern Kenya. We will be seeking funds to support refugees in Kakuma Camp which accommodates over 80,000 refugees exiled from their homes by social and political upheaval. This includes 20,000 unaccompanied children, driven out of Sudan by war. Now, famine forces them to seek refuge elsewhere.

We shall also appeal for help with the Parish Outreach Programme which helps women and their children to rebuild their lives in a new country. Thousands of them are innocent victims of AIDS and the mortality rate is high and rising. To provide support and basic human rights, this programme includes

• a self-help and parenting skills group for mothers of all ages
• counseling and psychotherapy throughout the camp
• peace education to minimise the risk of inter-tribal conflict
• an education programme which provides education and training for young people of all ages.

Since 1993, you have helped us to send over £100,000 to help the refugees in East Africa. Last year, we raised over £5,000 and we must exceed that figure this year if we are to make any impact on the lives of those who have so little and need so much.

Please turn over for details on how you can make your donation.

The JRS is a Registered Charity, No 230165       www.jesref.org

Farm Street SVP