Through the distribution of Caritas candles that graced our Christmas tables, the organization has been able to support those most in need, not only in Poland but also in Africa. This year, 10 cents from each candle sale went toward feeding children in Ethiopia. Nina Mocior, Head of Humanitarian and Development Aid at Caritas Poland, shared insights into how this aid is delivered on the ground.
“In 2024, we began humanitarian efforts in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, which has been suffering from internal conflict for many years. Most schools were closed, so, as in other conflict-affected countries, children lacked access to education. For some, this year marked their first return to school in five years,” Mocior explained. Caritas has included 34 schools in its aid program, reaching 8,000 students. “As part of the Christmas Candle Project, Caritas Poland supports the distribution of high-energy biscuits. These have a special formula approved by the Ministry of Education. We purchased over 4,000 cartons containing 150 biscuits each. Each school receives a supply to last six months,” she added.
Energy for Learning
The biscuits provide children with the energy needed for learning. “Sitting in class for several hours, absorbing new information, and then traveling back home requires significant energy. Thanks to this meal, it’s possible,” Mocior noted. “We’ve had numerous conversations with parents who shared that prolonged dry seasons in the region often lead to months of limited food availability, despite agricultural efforts and stored supplies,” she reported.
In many cases, the biscuits are the only meal children receive during the day. While this is a challenging reality, it also motivates families to send their children to school. “In Ethiopia and across East Africa, education isn’t always a priority. Yet for some children, education offers a real chance to change their circumstances—through migration, further schooling, or scholarships in the capital,” Mocior explained.
She also highlighted the role of Catholic and Christian schools in the region, known for their high academic standards. “The Bishop of Tigray told me something profound that I will always remember: education builds peace. In schools, children learn values such as respect for others, which fosters interethnic, interreligious, and intercultural dialogue—crucial in this region,” she emphasized.
A Legacy of Global Support
Since 1996, part of the funds from the Christmas Candle Project has been allocated to helping children in the world’s poorest regions. Thanks to the generosity of Poles, the initiative has achieved remarkable results over the years, including rebuilding a school in war-torn Aleppo, Syria; organizing food aid for children in crisis-stricken Venezuela; constructing a preschool for approximately 180 children from impoverished families in Yaoundé, Cameroon; and funding food programs for children in Madagascar and Burkina Faso.
Family News Service