INTRODUCTION
Catholic Relief Services launched the Africa Campaign: Africa Rising, Hope and Healing in 2001. Africa Rising Hope and Healing invites Catholics in the U.S. to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Africa through prayer, dialogue and advocacy. In November of 2001, the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops authored a pastoral statement A Call to Solidarity with Africa that challenges the Catholic church in the U.S. to support the Catholic church in Africa in its efforts to work for peace, justice and development on the continent.
Together with a talented group of secondary educators who participated in CRS’ Frontiers of Justice program, we have combined the challenges of A Call to Solidarity with Africa and Africa Rising to create concrete resources for your secondary school. The resources include an Africa Retreat, a School-Wide Program, and HIV/AIDS Curriculum.
We hope that these resources inspire you and your students to understand the challenges faced by African communities, to embrace the hope that comes from the African culture and the faith of the African people, and live in solidarity with our brothers and sisters through prayer, educated discussion and action.