Heart to Hand’s local efforts in Tipperary support Albanian orphanages

Brother Michael is pictured with Ballycahill man Dinny O’Dwyer of Heart to Hand who was part of the delivery team this year

placeholder image — Brother Michael is pictured with Ballycahill man Dinny O’Dwyer of Heart to Hand who was part of the delivery team this year

The parish churches of Holycross, Ballycahill, Upperchurch, Drombane, Ballina and Boher were busy places over the six weeks of Lent, but parishioners had their thoughts on other parts as they endeavoured to put together food and parcel collections for orphanages in far away Albania.

These collections started in 2006 and are still going strong thanks to the people who continue to donate each of the weeks of Lent.

It has become very part of the Lenten season in the parishes and is a reminder to all that there are many people still in need in our world today.

The Heart to Hand organisation, which undertakes great work in Albania and other places, has expressed its thanks to all who support the food collections every year and to their tremendous volunteers who collect and store the food.

The food was delivered to Br Michael Bidwell in Shkoder Albania, and he in turn, distributes it to orphanages, homes for the sick, and to very poor families in his area.

Br Michael depends on what is sent to him by Heart To Hand, and he is always so thankful for the food he receives from Ireland.

Albania continues to be one of the poorest countries in Europe especially up in the Northwest where Br Michael is working.

If you would like to collect food for the next shipment, then please contact any of the Heart To Hand Volunteers, or you can log onto our web site www.heartohand.net where you can donate on line.

Brother Michael is pictured with Ballycahill man Dinny O’Dwyer of Heart to Hand who was part of the delivery team this year.