St. Joseph's, Norton

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This month, we do not have any new photos for you.

However, the following letter recieved from Father Vincent, dated 24th September 2007, is a powerful enough, - and concerning, story in its own right. It does not need pictures to illustrate it.

"The water is down but the roads are full of potholes and some are practically impassible. What we have experienced this year is quite incredible. Imagine floods in a desert. Some people have seen a canoe here for the first time, some did not know how to sit in it. Many have never even swum. They had to learn on the spot or die. Many animals and snakes died and could be seen floating all over.

The saddest part is that almost all the crops perished. Com and millet was about to be harvested. It got rotten in the water. The floods lasted for over three weeks. Now the most urgent need for my parishioners is food. There is totally no food. All was destroyed in the waters. Almost all the mud houses fell and the food store too.

Daily the people come to the Mission house for food. I run out of it. Today I am in town to buy them some. I have got 5 bags but I know they are just a drop of what I need. I am afraid that soon I will witness people die because of hunger. The food is available in town for sale from other parts of Ghana, but people have no money to buy it. Many have lost practically all they had.

Our school block is now a dormitory for over 100 people. No beds just mats. The mosquitoes are so many now because of the water. The schools have not yet opened. We hope to open in mid October. We need first to deal with this tragedy. We were at first praying for rain, but now whenever the people see any rain clouds they pray "May it pass" perhaps God "overheard" our prayers.

Thanks indeed for all your support I am grateful to all the parishioners for their support. "

Fr. Vincent Lubega