During 2007, the Missionary Movement Gesu fil-Proxxmu distributed a total of €1.42 million (Lm608,784) to disadvantaged communities in Kenya, Ethiopia and Brazil, figures released by the organisation shows.

The mission is run by Dun Gorg Grima, who praised the generosity of the Maltese and Gozitans, who gave donations of no less than €1.57 million (Lm677,200) last year.

The missionary movement was instrumental in setting up new shelters in three different countries, and thanks to these donations, thousands of children were provided with a meal every day, given medicine, and were given the opportunity to go to school.

Last October, Dun Gorg and his volunteers, together with Kenyan Bishop Philip Anyolo, were present for the blessing of the chapel named Dar tal-Hniena Divina. They also inaugurated a children's home in Kenya, which is currently housing 60 children who are suffering from various illnesses, including AIDS.

In November, two schools in Ethiopia were inaugurated and blessed by Dun Gorg. A new kindergarten to host 150 children was also set up in the poor city of Shisinda. The priests of St Vincent of Pauli are doing their utmost in this city to spread the Gospel as well as educate the people.

Yet another school was also set up for the Manjo tribe in the Shekka area of Ethiopia. The members of this tribe are marginalised to the extent that nobody wants to integrate with them.

Dun Gorg was also behind the opening of the first maize mill in the village of Karru, Ethiopia. Since it is cheap, maize is a common food for the poor and although it does not contain many nutrients, it is all they can afford to eat.

The Patok tribe had been suffering from an 18-year drought, thirst killed hundreds and made children weak as vegetation and livestock were destroyed. Gesu fil-Proxxmu intervened to save the tribe by digging two boreholes, as a result the tribes had access to clean water.