1. It’s easy: you can donate to Ukraine, give to Share Lent this year, or donate monthly with the click of a button! In just a second you can show solidarity with people around the world, including places like Afghanistan.

2. It’s inspiring: Archbishop Donald Bolen’s video message this year IS AMAZING!

3. It’s Catholic: All 4 Roman Catholic Bishops in Saskatchewan support the work of Development and Peace. Read their words of wisdom from this year:

4. It puts you in the front seat: You are never more than 3 degrees of separation from the difference-makers on the ground! You can follow our Instagram account, take a gander through our YouTube account or become part of the conversation by signing up for our newsletter. Share some of the stories you learn with a friend over coffee!

5. It’s impactful: Our campaigns make a difference.

Within weeks of our campaign to free Victor Vasquez, an indigenous land defender from Honduras, he was RELEASED. Watch below:

(Our Fall campaign was just kicking off in Saskatchewan when we saw this video. Our partners will continue the fight for his full acquittal in the months to come.)

6. It’s happening now: In the House of Commons, our petition for mandatory standards for human rights and care for the environment is being presented this spring.

Click HERE to watch Mike Morice of the Green Party present the petition.

Legislation is being brought forward to respond to this petition and protect people’s rights as I am writing this newsletter.

7. It’s history: Political advocacy is not a new thing. This video is from 2013.

8. It’s proven: In fact, Development and Peace has been around for more than 50 years. We have run campaigns to address global hunger, climate change, the water crisis, refugees assistance, humanitarian aid, gender equality & ecological justice.

Look at our list of resources from previous campaigns/annual reports or watch the short video below:

9. Your efforts are multiplied by professionals abroad: Make an impact far greater than you could ever do alone. Recently I was asked “which part of the world is in move need of aid?” The question surprised me because I’m not used to thinking in those terms at my job. All I know is that these people do an amazing job and know WAY more about how to improve their lives than you or I:

10. It’s connected and connecting: Did you know that Development and Peace is the Canadian member of Caritas Internationalis, the 2nd largest charity network in the world? (Did you know that about Caritas?)

Did you know that Caritas is one of the leading responders to the crises in Ukraine, through Caritas Ukraine, Caritas SPES, and Caritas Poland?

Did you know Development and Peace is a member of KAIROS? (The same KAIROS in KAIROS Blanket Exercise).

Did you know Development and Peace is a member of CIDSE? (CIDSE is short for “Coopération Internationale pour le Développement et la Solidarité” an umbrella organization for Catholic development agencies from Europe and North America.)

Did you know Development and Peace is a member of the Canadian Food Grains Bank, a partnership of 15 church and church-based agencies that fed 983,000 people last year?

Did you know my boss, Luke Stocking, HAS MET THE POPE?!?!

Whatever your reasons for donating, advocating, fundraising or networking, know that you are not alone! If you want to get involved at whatever capacity – whether to launch a school fundraiser or volunteer your time – send me an email @ mleblanc@devp.org.

There’s something for everyone!

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Share Lent 2022 – Development and Peace / Caritas Canada’s People and Planet First campaign invites us to support our sisters and brothers in the Global South in defending their rights and the planet:

• Donate online at devp.org/give or during the Solidarity Sunday collection on April 3, the Fifth Sunday of Lent. Your generosity helps support over 85 projects in 27 countries around the world.
• Learn more by reading the Share Lent mini-magazine and other resources available at devp.org/lent/resources.
• Sign the petition for strong laws to control Canadian corporations’ behaviour abroad at devp.org/act.

(Michael LeBlanc is the D & P Animator for Saskatchewan and Keewatin-Le Pas. Read more about his role: LINK.)