I have had the privilege of traveling with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) twice as part of the Called to Witness program. In 2001, I traveled to India and witnessed firsthand the unbelievable poverty, and also the many CRS programs that assist in helping to overcome this poverty. In 2002, I traveled to Rwanda and met with people devastated by the genocide of 1994, and also learned of the CRS programs that are helping people to heal and move forward. Profoundly disturbed, yet armed with the resources of an organization that I know can make an incredible impact, I began incorporating solidarity with people from developing countries into my ministry with young people.

When I arrived back in the United States, I saw my role as helping people to see what was going on throughout the world and show how CRS makes a difference. In concrete terms, this meant promoting and speaking at Food Fast events throughout the Diocese of Madison. This also meant writing an article for our diocesan paper, the Catholic Herald. Through these two media, I was able to tell stories and show pictures to get the word out. My hope was that people would give money to alleviate suffering worldwide.

Soon after the trip to Rwanda, my diocese began the process of starting a partnership with another country through the Global Solidarity Project. This was a CRS project within our diocese, and I asked to be part of it. In addition to telling the stories and showing the pictures, I was challenged to help people know other people half way around the world.

Three years later I found myself coordinating our diocese's partnership with the Diocese of Navrongo-Bolgatanga in northern Ghana. Through this partnership, I have had the privilege of knowing and working with people from this developing country. Because of this relationship, and because of the relationship I have with CRS, I have learned how to help my brothers and sisters in other countries.

I had previously heard about the CRS Work of Human Hands project, in which crafts and goods from developing countries were sold in the USA as part of “Fair Trade” (i.e., giving those that created, crafted, or manufactured the product a fair deal). I had never thought of how it affected real people. I learned about Divine Chocolate and Bolga baskets (both from Ghana). As a result, I have encouraged sales of these products and coordinated a diocesan-wide Divine Chocolate sale on the weekend before Valentine’s Day. This sale is great in four ways:

• first, it promotes solidarity and fair trade practices to the general population;
• second, it helps the cocoa farmers in Ghana;
• third, the profits help our Global Solidarity Partnership;
• and fourth, it tastes great!

I am now beginning to be more involved with the advocacy piece of CRS. I sometimes get angry about the lack of U.S. government spending for world relief. Recently it finally clicked! We live in a democracy and my voice can be heard. With the help of the advocacy branch of CRS, I sent an email to my U.S. representative about an upcoming vote in Congress. Perhaps my one little email will not amount to anything, but I am voicing my concern instead of simply complaining. If we can organize enough people in my district to send an email, we will be a force that members of Congress will not ignore. I am now working at getting an active advocacy committee formed within our diocese.

Recently I helped to develop a resource packet to assist parishes in celebrating Global Solidarity Week. To my knowledge, there is no official Global Solidarity Week on the calendar. However, I heard of this idea through CRS, and a committee put together a resource packet that parishes can implement in their school, religious education, and youth ministry programs. It also contains prayers for other parish committees and parish liturgies. This is a way to get the word out to a wider group of people.

I hope these examples are helpful in putting together some experiences for young people. I truly believe that giving young people an experience of people from developing countries helps them understand the Gospel more clearly, strengthens their faith in Jesus Christ, and aids them in understanding what it means to be Catholic. I know these experiences have helped me.

If you are interested in receiving the Global Solidarity Week packet, please contact Ben Weisse.