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CAFOD
No one should have to risk everything to feed their family

No one should have to risk everything to feed their family

This Lent you can help people like James the fisherman feed their families, not just for today or tomorrow, but for good.

Donate now to help hardworking families this Lent

Thousands of women and men around the world face the same question: without a way of getting enough food throughout the year, how do you make sure your family can eat today and tomorrow?  

This was the question that James, a fisherman in Liberia, found himself asking. And he wasn’t alone. 

Lent calendar 23 February

James with his partner and their son on the beach

How do you make sure your family can eat today and tomorrow?

James’s family hadn’t eaten for two days. Their neighbours had helped them through hard times in the past, but they had nothing to give now.  

He risked losing everything to go out onto the water. Five fishermen a month – many he called ‘brothers’ – were dying in storms at sea. Just like him, they couldn't afford the life jackets, compasses and other equipment needed to stay safe at sea and get a good catch. 

“When the storm comes, it empowers the ocean,” says James. “I can remember a storm not long ago, when we lost a lot of friends. The ocean was very rough. We got swept out far to sea. It took our friends from us. We survived by the grace of God.” 

When he came back home 16 hours later - aching, exhausted, hungry - he would be empty handed.  

James knew – his family knew – it was becoming more difficult to survive.  

When the storm comes, it empowers the ocean

James, a fisherman in Liberia

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