Daniel: the boy on the 2012 Trócaire box

We brought a little bit of Uganda to Ireland this week as we launched our annual Trócaire Lenten campaign, which is about our work rebuilding communities devastated by war.

The child on this year’s box is 9-year-old Daniel Okweng from northern Uganda. Like almost two million others, Daniel and his family were forced from their home during the brutal 20 year civil war that destroyed much of northern Uganda.

Daniel Okweng from Bar Kawach in northern Uganda. Photos: Jeannie O’Brien.

While the war has now ended, the struggle to rebuild lives and communities is only just beginning. But thanks to the generosity of people in Ireland, Daniel and the families Trócaire supports now have hope for the future.

Trócaire boxes are being distributed all over Ireland, collecting all the spare cent and euro coins that together can make an incredible difference to people’s lives.

Our campaign in Northern Ireland has been boosted by the decision of the UK government to match public donations to Trócaire to the tune of £900,000. That means that for every £1 a person in Northern Ireland donates to Trócaire this Lent, the UK government will add another £1.
 

Together, this Lent we can help to bring hope to people who have been left with nothing.
 

Find out more about Trócaire’s Lent campaign here.