Karol Darmoros
Joy and help
“When the festival applause fades, the real marathon of support for the youngest is just gaining momentum. We are launching the annual Caritas for Children campaign. We support children systematically throughout the year, and Caritas does everything to help them develop their talents and ensure a safe, joyful childhood,” emphasized Father Janusz Majda, director of Caritas Poland.
Inflatables, animators, sports activities, and the Caritas Zone awaited the participants. Children collected stamps in their passports, made consecutive rows of the “scarf of gratitude,” left notes in the “jar of good thoughts,” and wrote cards for lonely seniors. In the Caritas Television Studio, they spoke about love, help, and their dreams.
Common prayer
Children from diocesan Caritas organizations from all over Poland also came to the festival. The program, in addition to fun and education, included a Holy Mass. It was presided over by the Field Bishop of the Polish Army, Wiesław Lechowicz, who emphasized in his homily the value of family and raising children for the future of the Homeland.
The day ended with a performance by the Little Janosik Army. “There is nothing more beautiful than children supporting other children. Thank you very much for this wonderful performance and for supporting Caritas,” concluded Father Majda.
Year-round support
The director of Caritas reminded that Children’s Day is not only a celebration of joy. “The most beautiful gift we can give a child is a sense of security and love,” he noted. He added that children benefit from summer camps, scholarships, day rooms, holiday gifts, warm meals, and specialized help.
Caritas runs almost 100 community and socio-therapeutic day rooms for over 2,000 students. On the eve of Children’s Day, the “Box of Happiness” campaign was also launched, within which 40 diocesan Caritas organizations are distributing 25,000 packages with toys, books, and healthy snacks.
