A Chain of Solidarity That Continues to Grow
At the end of 2025, we realized that the funds supporting our work with chronically ill patients in Lebanon were running out. We had not yet found a new donor, and we were wondering how we could continue providing assistance to so many people who depend on it.
We felt that it was time to take action and reach out to members of the Lebanese diaspora. The needs remain significant, and many people rely on our support—however small—to help meet their monthly expenses. We shared the news without knowing what kind of response we would receive.
AMU (Action for a United World) kindly made itself available to collect donations on behalf of the project. What happened next truly surprised us. At first, the donations we received were enough to cover expenses until the end of June. Then, additional contributions arrived, and today we have enough support to continue our work through the end of the year.
The donations came from many different parts of the world and from people of all ages. One particularly moving story is that of C. and her family.
On May 31, C. celebrated her First Communion and Confirmation. For four years, she had been preparing for this important milestone through catechism classes. As the celebration approached, her parents suggested that instead of purchasing traditional party favors, she could make a donation to help people in need. Together, they decided to make a donation through AMU to support our project.
When I went to thank C., she seemed to feel that she had done nothing extraordinary. She was not particularly interested in receiving keepsakes and was simply happy to help people in need.
I shared with her the stories of some of the people we support and explained how often we experience God's providence, receiving exactly what is needed at the right moment.
Her father also told us about one of his employees, who was deeply touched when he learned about their decision. Having moved to Italy from a North African country, he is especially touched by acts of generosity like this. Although he is not currently in a position to make a donation himself, he expressed a strong desire to contribute in the future.
The person who prepared the small commemorative cards distributed to family and friends was also impressed by the initiative. She decided to share the story on her Facebook page because she felt it was a meaningful example worth highlighting.
C.'s parents themselves had received financial gifts from friends in recognition of their roles as godparents to other children. They chose to donate those gifts as well through AMU.
On the keepsake card distributed to relatives and friends, C. included a quotation from Saint John Paul II, after whom she is also named:
“Solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion […] it is the firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good; that is, to the good of all and of each individual, because we are all truly responsible for all.”
As we receive these generous contributions, we feel a deep responsibility to ensure that they reach the many people who depend on our support. We hope that, through this practical assistance, they may also experience the countless acts of generosity, compassion, and love that are reaching them from around the world.