A World of Need
A World of Need
FY2024 Annual Report
DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY
INTERNATIONAL PROJECT SERVICES
Note: The quotes you see throughout are from DC Sisters and are from project applications and reporting. We hope you enjoy the Sisters’ insights and inspiration.
October 2024
Dear Friends and Supporters,
During this past year, we have witnessed profound outcomes and remarkable transformations thanks to the unwavering dedication of Daughters of Charity serving the poor and needy around the world. Their commitment to caring for the most marginalized and neglected has brought hope, relief, and pivotal developments to communities across the globe.
Daughters of Charity International Project Services exists to support Daughters of Charity in serving their communities. We honor their important work and the awe-inspiring courage and determination they exhibit. When Sisters alert us to their communities needs, we raise funds for their initiative and we do it with joy, knowing the substantial and enduring impact of their work.
Our theme this year is “A World of Need,” and certainly we see the vast needs around us. As we reflect on the incredible progress and powerful impacts of the Sisters’ efforts, we are reminded of the words from Scripture, “Whoever is kind to the poor, lends to the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:17a). This verse reveals the great privilege we have in serving those in need.
Thank you for believing in our mission and for joining us in this important journey of compassion.
With gratitude,
Our Process
Local Sisters work in their communities and identify needs Sisters seek funding from DC IPS to support projects
DC IPS raises funds through grants and donor gifts
Our Mission
Daughters of Charity International Project Services (DC IPS) was established to help the Sisters in developing countries carry out their mission of service to those who are poor. DC IPS facilitates international funding and other resources and develops relationships that support Daughters of Charity projects to minimize human suffering and foster sustainable solutions to global poverty at the local level.
Our Motto
Decrease human suffering, increase human potential.
“To help others you have to be quite creative, which is why we emphasize the audacity of charity ... help others regardless of where they come from, their religion, their customs.”
100% of funds are sent to local Sisters who complete the project Evaluation reports are sent to DC IPS outlining project outcomes and spending
Sisters’ Projects: Received & Funded
This list encompasses every application received, project funded, and project completed in FY24. The locations and types of projects are evidence of the practical and inspiring solutions the Sisters offer their communities.
Construction Classrooms- Okole Tobakeka School
Vehicle for Pastoral Works
Bus for Disadvantaged Children
Construction of Early Childhood Center
Medical Beds for PWD- St. Vincent Monastery
Carmelo Hospital Energy + Water Support
Empowering Teenagers to Defend Against Violence
Alternative Income Skills Development for Families
WASH- Notre Dame de Esperance Clinic
WASH- Immaculate Conception of Mary Health Center
Construction Classroom- Elikya Primary School
Support for Persons Who are Homeless + Addicted
Repairs + Upgrades- San Juan Senior Citizen Home
Integrated Women’s Development
Coalition of Congregations TFGM
Marguerite Naseau Nursery School- Operations
Makinsk + Shortandy villages - Fuel for Winter
Nyamirambo-Kigali Assistance for Prisoners
Musango Natural Family Planning Project
Vocational Training for Sisters
Kigaili Village Food Aid for Poor Families
Tuition for Poor Students
Ruzo - Integration and care of the mentally ill
Vehicle for Pastoral Services
Barquisimeto Home for the Elderly
Reintegration of Human Trafficking Victims
Aste Tekleghiorgis School Supplies
Palenque Shelter emergency needs
Caracas - Nutrition Mother and Child Welfare
Adra Borehole Well at St Vincent Ashram
Balasore Vocational Training for Girls & Women
Adra - Kitchen Construction St Vincent Ashram
Cerrito - Womens Empowerment
Solar Panels – Safe Child Ctr, Kumasi
Natal - catering equipment for children’s home
Mentorship programs to combat trafficking
Mbandaka DREAM - Nutrition
Ossiomo Rehab Center - vehicle
Mahama Refugee Camp Nutrition
Karuna College of Nursing
Support for the children of divorced couples
Gunupur, Lab Equipment St Vincent School
Slavgorod, basic needs for families
Promotion of Integrated Lay Missionaries
San Carlos Hospital equipment
Training Parents - Foundation for Love
St Louise Cafeteria for Children
Holy Family Creche - support for food
Safe Environment for Vulnerable Young Women
ATFGM Emergency Grant - Salaries
ATFGM Tuition Support - Emergency Grant
Sniatyn- Support children with disabilities + families
Sustainable Inclusive Development PWD + Families
Safe Child Advocacy: Vocational Training
Supporting families with children with disabilities
Esperanza Center- preschool classrooms
Agricultural Revival of Rice Field
Ruzo Center - Sewing and Literacy Classes
Mpimba - Prisoner Care
Care of Mentally Ill
Muyinga St Paul Nursery School Operations
Huye - Care of persons with mental illness
Kicukiro -St Vincent de Paul Scholarships
Talitha Center - Solar Power
Waterproofing of San Vincente Home
Casa Ana Maria - Housing Rehabilitation
Storyzyniec village- food, medicine, clothes
WASH for Ossiomo Rehabilitation Center
Tigray - Vulnerable Children Support
Rosalie Rendu Hospital WASH and Facilities
Slavgorod Village - ministries to poor
Roof Repair at Miguel Leon House
Prishtina - Medications for Palliative Care
Morocco - Earthquake Relief
St Vincent- Food, Medicine and Beds
Nouna-Emergency Funding IDP
Youth Formation Training Programs
Masanga DREAM - HIV/AIDS Medicines
Masanga DREAM - Nutritional Support HIV/AIDS
Masanga DREAM - Outreach for HIV/AIDS
Carmelo Hospital - Nutrition for HIV + Tuberculosis
Hospital Carmelo - DREAM Activists
Hospital Carmelo - Computer Purchases
Security + Furnishings - Rosalie Rendu Center
Support for St Catherine Laboure School
Construction of TB + Cervical Cancer Unit
Construction of Hall at St. Vincent Ashram
Wall Construction for Security in Murhu
San Jose Home for Women - Operations
Aid for Bhannes Hospital
St Vincent Transition Home: Medicines + Operations
Youth Leadership Program
Hospicio de San Jose - Protection + Recovery
Krakow- Care of Homeless
St. Vincent Senior Care Facility Renovations
Safeguarding Training Program
Assisting Children Affected by Divorce
Lindalva School- computers + furniture
WASH St. Joseph Hospital
Loei Province- Migrant Care
Marillac Educational Center - Cistern Construction
Marillac Educational Center - Emergency Staircase
Notre Dame de la Confiance School Nutrition
Clinic Nutrition Program - Farafangana
Yeka - Microenterprise Program
Refugee Support during Conflict
Sacred Heart Hospital - Emergency Supplies
Clean Birth Kits - Rwanda
Care of homeless in Odessa and other villages
Care of Migrants at Palenque Shelter
Mbandaka DREAM Center Nutrition
Nouna Refugee Wells and Latrines
Assessment for Circuit Rider- Clinic ND de Esperance
Assessment for Circuit Rider- Masanga Health Center
Vehicle for Ministry
Tashkent- help for families and PWD
Nouakchott- School Operations + Nutrition
Balta - Community Center Operations + Nutrition
Assessment for Circuit Rider-ICMHC
Assessment for Circuit Rider- St. Mary Lab & School
Assessment for Circuit Rider- St. Catherine Hospital
Fuel for DREAM Outreach - Masanga
Defenders of Life in Venezuela
Elikya Library support
Assessment for Circuit Rider- San Carlos Hospital
DREAM Masanga School Operations
Mahama Refugee Camp Nutrition
BSMW Center, Sniatyn - Operations
Support for Ossiomo Rehab Center
Krakow - Summer Education + Coexistence Program
Kirehe - Support for High School Students
Bhannes Hospital Cath Lab Upgrade
Formation for Protection of Vulnerable Persons
Vehicle for Transportation of Children and PWD
Literacy School - Teacher Salaries
Mbandaka Prison Mentoring to Combat Recidivism
Ain Karem Pergola
Alotau - Lay Missionaries
Makinsk - Care for Village Poor
DREAM Abuja - Dialysis Machines
Solar Panels for Provincial House
Medical Equipment for St. Vincent Hospice
Yeka - Micro Business Initiative
Food Bank and Family Assistance
Carapegua - Electrical Upgrade for School
Kartuzy - Bus for PWD Group Home
Lindalva Inclusive School - Solar Power Installation
Tablada - vehicle for Casa San Vincente
Furniture for St. Catherine Laboure School
Jara - Fence for Open Center Shelter
Slavgorod - Continued Provision of Basic Needs
Fort Dauphin Prison Food and Medicine
Leprosy Hospital Repairs and Equipment
Vincent’s Children Kindergarten- tuition + operations
St. Pierre College Building Rehab
Accessibility Ramps at St. Catherine Laboure School
Hundreds of projects, thousands of lives changed ...
FY24 DC IPS
Individuals Impacted
197,514 Adults
46,553 Children
103 new project applications received from 34 countries
70 projects funded in 29 countries
60 projects evaluated representing 26 countries
Responses to Disasters & Emergencies
Daughters of Charity have been and will continue to provide compassionate and vitally important care to survivors of conflicts and natural disasters in the areas they serve. They are especially focused on reaching those who are the most vulnerable, such as children, persons with disabilities and the elderly.
FY24 saw a large number of projects from Sisters that were categorized as disasters and emergencies. The ways Sisters served their communities were as diverse as the project details and locations.
Ukraine
For nearly three years, Daughters of Charity in Ukraine and Poland have continued to support individuals and families affected by the conflict in Ukraine, providing essentials like food, clothing, and medical care. Their ministries deliver comprehensive services of every kind to any who have been impacted.
Morocco
On September 8th, 2023, an earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale devastated homes and buildings in the Marrakech region of Morocco. Daughters of Charity aided families in crisis by helping to build safe housing, and providing medical supplies, clothing, and food to families in need.
“Since the beginning of the [conflict], we have been helping people who are fleeing the east of Ukraine. Initially, many refugees stayed at our house. We are now helping families who have settled in nearby villages.”
Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso has been grappling with escalating terrorist attacks for several years. Sisters provided aid to help meet the food needs of some of the most impoverished families in Nouna. Care packages are assembled and delivered with basic food supplies, such as rice, beans and oil to those in need.
Efforts are underway to build sanitation facilities and provide access to safe drinking water for individuals and families in Nouna. These essential improvements will have a profound impact on this struggling community.
Middle East
Daughters of Charity hospitals in both Nazareth, Israel and Beirut, Lebanon needed an influx of medical equipment, supplies, and food to meet the needs of these desperate communities.
“Stress and inquietude are normal in such situations where we must think about how we can deal with these difficulties as Daughters of Charity, who live to serve Christ in others, especially those who are in need.”
“This project is of great importance to us as a congregation because it has contributed greatly in helping to fulfill one of our duties as Daughters of Charity, to feed the hungry and be a presence to those who are suffering. We were very helpless in the midst of these many displaced persons before this help came. It is a project that has contributed greatly to alleviate the sufferings of many.”
Combating Human Trafficking
Victims of gender-based violence (GBV), abuse, or human trafficking depend on the services Sisters provide in communities across the globe. Survivors have endured forced labor, sexual exploitation, and various forms of compounded abuse, from this modern-day form of slavery. Victims are frequently targeted due to poverty, lack of education, limited community support and opportunities, and marginalization. Survivors of these traumatic experiences benefit most from a holistic approach to recovery. Wrap-around services are crucial to help them rebuild their lives and regain a sense of autonomy and dignity.
Countries Served in FY24: Colombia
Ecuador
Mexico
Nigeria
Philippines
Tanzania
Venezuela
“We have learned to listen with our hearts, and to respect their beliefs, and values. We have come to know other cultures. We have learned to activate routes to go beyond the service and help them claim their rights.”
While trafficking and abuse are global issues, Sisters remain focused on the specific needs of their local communities. The services offered are tailored to the needs of each community and are sensitive to the local cultural context. This customized support provides both recovery and growth, ensuring that survivors receive the care they need to heal and the tools they need to thrive.
Sisters’ comprehensive approach to combating GBV, abuse, and trafficking is making a significant impact on the lives of survivors. By addressing immediate needs and fostering long-term empowerment, Sisters help those most in need
Empowered Approach to Healing:
Counselling & Mentorship
Education & Skill-Building
Housing & Nutrition
Advocacy & Awareness
Training & Capacity Building
Migrant Assistance
Protection & Legal Guidance
Medical Care
Community Education
Recovery Program
The Ripple Effect of WASH
(Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)
In developing nations, the absence of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure in healthcare facilities creates severe and often insurmountable challenges for communities. DC IPS WASH projects demonstrate how targeted improvements can trigger a powerful ripple effect of positive change. The installation of handwashing stations, toilets, latrines, showers, and water storage tanks in healthcare settings does more than just improve immediate sanitary conditions. These foundational upgrades set in motion a cascade of benefits: reducing the spread of bacteria, decreasing infant mortality rates, improving educational opportunities, and shortening distances to water sources. These initial interventions ultimately contribute to enhanced community health, economic growth, and overall development. Testimonials from this year’s WASH projects illustrate how seemingly simple WASH improvements in healthcare facilities can transform entire communities.
Toilets & Latrines
Water Storage Tanks Showers & Sanitation
Handwashing Stations
Education
“This potable water in the compound for the running of the school has made the place very conducive for the learning and teaching process. With no water in the compound, it was hard to teach the students who complain of being thirsty.”
Community Health
“Access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities is fundamental to maintaining good health. By providing clean water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene purposes, and by upgrading sanitation facilities, the project will significantly reduce the risk of waterborne diseases and improve overall community health and well-being.”
Community Development
Better Nutrition Economic Growth
Distance
Reduced Spread of Bacteria
“[The] outrageous masses of displaced in Nouna do not have access to safe water. What little water there may be is not drinkable; it is unsafe exposing them to illness and disease.”
Reduced Infant Mortality
“This project will serve the children, men and women who come to the hospital to seek quality healthcare. Per year, the hospital serves over five thousand people who come either for preventive, curative or health promotion activities.”
Sisters’ Global Outreach
Siberia
“The people served are very sensitive and when we show interest in them, they are very happy. Coming for food, they wait to be listened to. If their situation improves, they return to talk, sharing their life experiences. We want to help them find their dignity and give them a feel of God’s Love. Everyone who knocks on our door receives help. Perhaps at first a one-off, then we visit their home and recognize their struggle. We consider whether they really need our support and, if so, what kind of support.”
Kenya
St. Louise’s School for Special Needs Children in Kenya offers physiotherapy, nutritional support and an outreach program for children and families. The students show significant improvement as they grow, with increased energy, playfulness, and interactivity—a stark contrast to when they first arrived at the school.
Congo
Local Sisters provide options for skill-building to increase vocational opportunity for both at-risk juveniles and released prisoners. Through hands-on instruction and mentorship, participants are able to learn new skills to then contribute to their community more meaningfully. This ministry fills a gap in local services and is tailored to the needs of this community.
Colombia
Local Sisters offer support and opportunities for learning their community to help address poverty. “There are no job sources or higher education institutions to provide tools through which they can discover their skills and abilities in other areas that allow them to choose another lifestyle. We strive to reinforce the conviction that even the smallest actions in favor of respect, the dignity of a person, and human rights have an impact. These actions become a prophetic denunciation, taking initiatives to change the structures that maintain poverty and violate human rights.”
Mozambique
Carmelo Hospital is managed by the Daughters of Charity. Due to the success of the DREAM treatment protocol, it has become a reference health unit for tuberculosis and AIDS patients locally. The center offers comprehensive medical services as well as outreach care to reduce the effects of disease and allow patients to live healthier lives.
India
St. Vincent’s School in Gunupur provides education to impoverished children. “With funding from DC IPS, students now flourish with modern labs for practical learning, digital smart boards for interactive teaching, and expanded library and sports facilities that promote development. Inadequate facilities caused less enrollment in the school but now these facilities have begun to spring up the strength of the students.”
Sisters in Service
“Love one another, bear with one another, support one another, and be united in the Spirit of God.” — St Vincent de Paul
“Participants highlighted how the project empowered them to take control of their lives and overcome difficult obstacles. For many, the impact was not only tangible in terms of services but also spiritual, providing a sense of belonging, community, and support.”
“We learn that empowering people is the best way to change their situation for the better — better than handing out help, and even when you need to handout help, it should be a starting point not an end. We have learned that people need more than aid. We also learned that no situation is hopeless; every human person is worth investing in.”
Beacon of Hope
In closing, we often can become overwhelmed by the depth and breadth of need in this world. We truly live in “A World of Need.”
Across the globe, there are unsung heroes whose tireless efforts and immeasurable compassion are making a profound difference in the lives of countless individuals. Daughters of Charity serve in some of the most impoverished communities in 97 countries. They are caregivers, nurses, educators, and advocates, working diligently to help those who are desperate for both resources and guidance. From dressing the wounds of the homeless, to providing education to disadvantaged children, to supporting families in crisis, the impact of their work is powerful and effects change in lives and communities.
However, they do not create these necessary changes alone. Your support allows them to continue their ministry to the most vulnerable. When you donate to DC IPS, you can be confident that 100% of your donation goes directly to Sisters’ community initiatives. They have dedicated their lives to serve the poor, and we can think of no better hands to entrust with these funds. With the help of the Lord, they will carry out the work, ministering to “A World of Need.”
As we look forward to another year of service, we remain steadfast in our commitment to helping the Sisters continue serving and empowering those in need. Together, with your support, we will continue to see lives changed and communities transformed. God bless you.
