I am a Maltese missionary working in Pakistan. Our ministry, as Sisters of Charity, is mainly in the fields of education, health and social work. We pay many visits to families to strengthen them in their Christian faith, help children with their homework and try to further the cause of women, who are still considered second class citizens in this country. Our work is just a drop in an ocean of needs. The greatest scourge is illiteracy. It is common to see children running in the streets, others collecting garbage from skips, and child labour. Often, these children are not paid for their work but are given a daily meal. Although they are not a financial help to the family, they become less of a burden at the dining table... if they have one! As we believe that education will save the human person, we try to invest most of the donations we receive by offering the possibility of education to these children, with the hope of opening new horizons for their future. It is of course impossible to help them all as we lack the financial means. However we do what can.

I would like to thank the Mission Fund for its untiring work in fund-raising activities that enables them to help all Maltese missionaries. I would like to thank them sincerely for the donation of €2,000 they have given me this year. I would also like to express my gratitude to all Maltese who always respond generously with their contributions to all organised events for charity.  We might be the ones who are working directly in the field, but without your help, we truly can do little. I encourage you to continue to offer your donations, to send used stamps to the Mission Fund and to participate in the activities that it organises.

Donations can be made online or by direct bank transfer to one of the following accounts: HSBC (Account No: 061 197 448 050), BOV (Account No: 163 007 980 19), APS (Account No: 200 008207 62) or BANIF (Account No: 000 879 631 01).

For further information about the Mission Fund and its activities log on to www.missionfund.org.mt

May the Lord, who rewards every glass of water given to the needy, fill your heart and your household with every kind of blessing. You are all in our daily prayers.

With much gratitude,

Sr Natalie Abela

Sister of Charity

Lahore

Pakistan