Sir Luís Miguel Garcia Cruz, Bailiff of Mozambique of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories (KMFAP), reported that on the 23rd December 2020 another donation of food was delivered to the homeless community in Maputo. The donation was given to the sisters of the Congregation of the Apostles of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. 

This congregation does a remarkable job in cooking and distributing food to the most needy in the capital city of Mozambique, but also in educating the most disadvantaged in the primary school next to the Hulene dump, where food items for the Missionaries of Charity who work there were also left. 

KMFAP delivered a box of chickens, numerous bottles of cooking oil, dozens of kilos of fish, onions, mangos, flour, tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, carrots, rice, 10 bottles of juice, etc., from donations of Mrs. Denize Sultane and KMFAP. During delivery, Sir Luís noticed that there are also fewer volunteers in the logistical support and, with his wife Natalia Mey Lin, they were distributing the takeaways with meals and fruit to the homeless.

In the face of the events of 2020, the homeless and the poorest class increased in number and in needs. Although there is no public health impact in Mozambique, as in other countries extremely affected by COVID-19, the social situation is aggravated by the impact of the national economic situation, which is highly dependent on the international context. 

Sir Luís highlighted: We try, with the little we have, to help those who help, to help those in need, to sow a better world in Charity and Justice, as an obligation of any Knight! But we emphasize that the most-in-need communities around the world need not only charity to survive, but teaching and education to become truly independent and self-sustainable. As Confucius would say: “Don’t give the fish, but teach how to fish”. 

The Bailiff of Mozambique wishes a blessed and prosperous year of 2021 to the Magisterium of the Sovereign Order of St. John of Jerusalem and to all the Knights and Dames in St. John, with health, peace and prosperity. 

May God bless us all!

23rd December 2020