Thanks to International Twinning, 26 indigenous children have quality education and nutritious food
Through International Twinning, Vincentians in the United States are sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those in need, building shelters for families, caring for the sick and elderly, clothing the naked, and feeding the hungry. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul’s International Twinning program promotes financial resource sharing, mutual spiritual support, and cross-cultural friendships by connecting U.S. Conferences with Vincentian Conferences in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean that lack the means to conduct local works of charity.
One such example is the St. Vincent de Paul Conference of St. Mary Cathedral of Colorado Springs, CO, who twins with the San Vicente de Paul Conference Medalla Milagrosa, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.
The St. Mary Cathedral Conference sends financial support for the Rarámuri Integrity Institute, a boarding school serving the indigenous Rarámuri children of the Sierra Tarahumara. The Sierra Tarahumara mountain region has the poorest municipality in Mexico, so basic necessities such as food, blankets, clothing, and medicine are desperately needed, in addition to education.
The boarding school is attended by 26 indigenous children, some with educational gaps and others who do not speak Spanish. Work is done to support the children by providing the students with basic education and offering a variety of nutritious foods.
“We are very happy to see our contributions are helping [these] children get an education, nourishment, a roof over their head and clothing they would not have on their own,” said Lionel Rivera with St. Mary Cathedral Conference. “We feel we have a great partnership with the St. Vincent de Paul Society Miraculous Medal Conference of Monterrey.”
In addition to helping the children at the Institute, members of the Medalla Milagrosa Conference deliver dinners to homeless individuals, and collect and distribute winter clothing and shoes to those in need.
The Vincentian members of the San Vincente de Paul Conference Medalla Milagrosa also communicated this: “We thank God for this opportunity to collaborate in the construction of His kingdom and each one of you for the collaboration that you send us and thus extend networks of love and solidarity with those most in need.”
If you are inspired to begin a twinning program at your SVdP Conference, and you’d like to know what the greatest needs are of our brothers and sisters in the Americas, contact Valeria Vlasich at the National Council for more information.
“The entire [St. Mary Cathedral] Conference has been impacted in a very positive way,” said Lionel Rivera. “We are all very grateful to have the opportunity to provide an education to the children in rural Mexico. It’s a blessing to be able to strengthen our hope in making a difference, not only here but in other countries too.”
