Cuori Grandi Canteen

2023 was the second warmest year in Italy since 1800. And what is happening in the rest of the world? The situation is almost identical if not worse. In fact, there are some territories where rising temperatures and the resulting droughts have a greater impact on local populations due to lower levels of agricultural and economic development. 

The cost of climate change

As is often the case, it is Africa that pays the highest price for climate change. In the village of Amakpape, Togo - where Sister Patrizia and Maristella work - and in the rest of the country, the growing food crisis is closely linked to climate change, water shortages and prolonged periods of drought. The impact is significant on agriculture and the availability of water and food resources in the region. All of this increases the vulnerability of these already deprived populations, who face significant food insecurity and growing malnutrition. 

A menu for the future

It is against this backdrop that Sister Patrizia's request for help was made in favour of the children who attend the schools in the village of Amakpape where she works. As of today, in fact, 100 of the 680 students housed in the school complex she manages are in extreme poverty. Without access to food - neither for breakfast nor lunch - they arrive at school on an empty stomach; they try to alleviate their hunger by drinking water or chewing paper balls as they have nothing to put under their teeth. This compromises their health and is an obstacle to their learning. Hunger, in fact, is a problem that can contribute to school failure, threatening the future of these children. 

Cuori Grandi canteen

In this context of hunger and malnutrition, the Cuori Grandi Canteen project plays a crucial role. Sister Patrizia asked us in September 2023 for financial help (to guarantee an adequate breakfast and lunch for another 100 needy students during the 36 weeks of school) and thanks to your generosity, we were able to comply.