Sisters Nguyen Thi Trinh (12) and Nguyen Thi Trang (9) share breakfast in their home. (Photo by Eric Clayton/Catholic Relief Services)
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“We all need food to nourish us and keep us healthy. Without food, we find it hard to concentrate, study, do our work or even play. Jesus often shared meals with friends and even strangers, and he teaches us to be generous in sharing what we have to eat with others.” (CRS Lenten Rice Bowl 2020)
At this time of year, it is common to hear folks talk story about giving up their favorite foods for Lent. While we are blessed to have such an option, there are millions of people in parts of the world who daily face deadly hunger.
(Much of the following text is taken from the CRS Rice Bowl website.)
During this third week of Lent, the Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl focuses on food and its importance in the lives of three young women and their families in Africa, Central America and Asia: Yvone in Kenya, Maria Ana in Honduras, and Trinh in Vietnam. These CRS “Stories of Hope” can also help us reflect on ways to heal hunger around the world and here in Hawaii.
“CRS has changed my life — and the life of my family,” says Gaudencia, Yvone’s aunt. “Before, I could tell Yvone wasn’t healthy. But now, she’s active.” Gaudencia is proud of what she’s learned from the CRS program about healthy eating habits. She has taught her family to vary what they eat and include vegetables with every meal. Yvone’s grandfather, Eliakim, suffers from diabetes. The improved diet has helped make him healthier.
“What I have learned is really good, and I have seen positive changes in my health,” says Eliakim. “I have benefited a lot from Gaudencia’s participation with CRS.” Eliakim also thinks the improved diet gives his grandchildren more energy for school and play. If the family is ever short an ingredient or has extra food, they borrow from and share with neighbors in the spirit of community. It’s that spirit — and good nutrition — that gives Yvone, her family and friends, a strong foundation from which to pursue their dreams and live a healthier life.
The same is true for Maria Ana and her fellow students in Honduras. It is hard to study and concentrate in school if you are hungry. That’s why CRS provides daily lunches and snacks at Maria Ana’s school. Using ingredients from CRS — like rice, beans and milk — and vegetables donated by local families, the students’ mothers volunteer at the school to make lunch and a snack for the students. Students will often bring containers to school with them, and save much of their lunch to take home and share with their families. “With the food that CRS is providing, we are able to get what we need to do our best at school — and at home,” Maria Ana says.
Trinh’s favorite foods are vegetables. But just like Yvone and Maria Ana, with CRS help, Trinh’s family works to ensure that she and her siblings have well-balanced, nutritious meals. Because fish and meat are not always available, Trinh’s family sometimes leaves the house at night and wades in the deepwater nearby to catch snails for food. Trinh loves to eat snails — a good source of protein and extra income. “They are chewy and crunchy,” she says.
These inspiring “Stories of Hope” share how even a little bit of nourishing food can go a long way to making a difference in so many lives. Three years ago, the CRS Rice Bowl featured a “Story of Hope” in Hawaii involving Chuukese women which was translated in the Chuuk language and well-received in their community. This year’s Rice Bowl “Stories of Hope” are translated in Chuukese, Vietnamese, Korean, Samoan and Spanish and available on the Diocese of Honolulu website catholichawaii.org/catholic-living/charity-justice/food-security-sustainable-development-global-solidarity/ricebowl. Please share these translations with fellow Catholics in Hawaii who speak these beautiful languages so together we can talk story and nourish each other on our Lenten journey.
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
