Bringing migrants, refugees and communities closer together.


War, exploitation, poverty, natural disasters or the desire for a fairer, better life, are causing people to leave their homes. It’s one of the greatest challenges of our time.

As a result, our world faces not a migration crisis, but a crisis of global solidarity. Caritas Cyprus is part of a worldwide campaign to reach out to migrants, change perceptions, open hearts and minds, and strengthen the bonds that unite us all.

Keep an eye out for events and updates on this page!

Also, visit journey.caritas.org for more information.

[Greek Text to Follow]

On Wednesday September 27th, Caritas Cyprus launched a two-year global campaign of action…

Posted by Caritas Cyprus-Κοινωνία on Thursday, September 28, 2017


Pope launches ‘Share the Journey’ campaign

At his general audience Sept. 27, Pope Francis and international leaders of Catholic charities urged Catholics to “Share the Journey” and extend a hand to migrants and refugees. We also talked to Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, president of Caritas Internationalis, and to Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Full stories: http://wp.me/p5DZKA-3NW and http://wp.me/p5DZKA-3O6 #ShareJourney

Posted by Catholic News Service on Wednesday, September 27, 2017

 

 


As part of the "Share the Journey" global campaign, Caritas Cyprus launched a monthly online feature entitled “In the Spotlight: 12 Months. 12 Stories. 12 Opportunities to Meet a Migrant."

This monthly online feature will delve into the intricacies of migrants’ journeys on their way to the island of Cyprus. Each story aspires to convey the necessity and at times difficulties of these journeys, all the while getting to know a plethora of nationalities, cultures, ideas and people.

‘In the Spotlight’ #7: Janet

“It’s been difficult bringing up a child from far away, because as a mother we really love to have our children with us. I’m trying to do what mothers can do for their child by using technology. I try my best to teach her and help her in school, every time we talk I ask her about her school, her assignments and the subjects she’s studying and I try my best to do my research and give her some information. I try and teach her good manners and right conduct and how to mingle with other people, the values in the Philippines, how to communicate, and she’s learning because she’s a very clever little girl!”. Read more…

 

‘In the Spotlight’ #6: The Ferya Family

At the same time, the family is dealing with the long-standing challenges associated with their daughter’s chronic illness: diabetes. The financial burden associated with managing a chronic illness amplifies the uncertainties of the day-to-day life of the family. Insulin, medical supplies, consistent medical care is difficult to access and Mr. and Mrs. Feyra may be forced to choose between paying rent and paying for insulin; a choice that no parent should have to make. Read more…

‘In the Spotlight’ #5: Rose and Mary

 Having lost her parents, Mary lived in a village with her uncle who was approached by ‘someone’ who could provide a better future for his niece. “They told me it was better for me to go somewhere where I can make a living, that I will live with a woman… that she will take me in as a mother or as her child, that was the plan that was meant to be,” says Mary. “I didn’t know where I was going when I left, I just knew I was going to Europe. My uncle told me that I was going to another country where I will have a better living. At the airport, Read more… 

 

‘In the Spotlight’ #4: Leemu

“Leemu arrived alone to Cyprus at the age of seventeen, leaving his grandmother behind in Gambia, his sole family member. Upon arrival, Leemu spent six months at a shelter for unaccompanied minors, a locale that provides accommodation for children under eighteen who travel alone to seek asylum..’ Read more..

 

‘In the Spotlight’ #3: Adam

“My father didn’t want to think about the possibility of me fighting in the war, my family was worried about me… they bought me a ticket to leave Damascus,” recalls Adam, who has been in Nicosia for the past four months.

Born into a family of architects and engineers, Adam’s family prospered in developing villages around Damascus prior to 2012. “The war began in the villages we were working in,” reveals Adam, “our business was blown up, all the buildings we constructed in villages blew up, everything just blew up,” he adds. Read more…

‘In the Spotlight’ #2: Ladan

At six months pregnant, Ladan fled her homeland in an attempt to bring safety to her unborn child after persecution by her family for marrying someone outside her tribe. Now, nurturing her baby girl in shelter provided by Caritas Cyprus, Ladan talks about the safety she has found amongst us.  Read more…

 

 

‘In the Spotlight’ #1: Boneh

It’s within the premises of the Caritas Cyprus Migrant Centre adjacent to the Holy Cross Catholic Church in the centre of Nicosia that I first came across Boneh.

He was loosely wearing a pair of bright red headphones around his neck and showing a photo of a young girl on the screen of his cell phone.

From afar, I can just about make out what he’s saying: “This is my daughter; she was three years old,” he says. “I’m so sorry,” replies a lady standing in the middle of the room.  Read more…