Sir, – In July I was in Mongu in western Zambia, where Concern is supporting people to move out of poverty. I spoke to Mushimbei Mwendabai. Concern gives her 30 kwachas a month – €3. It allows her build up a little head of steam, buy and sell her produce and send her older child to school. Liam Kavanagh (28) from Coolock is working on the project. I asked him what he plans to do in the future. His reply was “I can’t see myself doing anything else”.
Concern is working with the most vulnerable families in 27 of the world's poorest and most neglected countries. Whether they are caught up in poverty, war, conflict or even the deadly Ebola virus, our teams are providing immediate assistance and helping people get back on their feet. And this work is only possible because of the support of people in Ireland such as the readers of The Irish Times, who through their extraordinary generosity have supported our work over the years. At our peril can we take that support for granted.
For every euro Concern receives, 90.4 cent goes directly to the work in the field. In early December we won two awards in excellence in financial reporting in Ireland.
I am conscious that many people have little spare cash and yet they are willing to support the poorest of the poor in the countries where we are working. For that I say thank you and wish you a joyful and happy Christmas and new year. – Yours, etc,
DOMINIC MacSORLEY,
Chief Executive Officer,
Concern Worldwide,
Dublin 2.