Since 2009, with the seven previous editions, more than 92,000 euros have been donated to Africa in total. The opening of the 8th Solidarity Artisan Market was attended by Mario Iceta, Bishop of Bilbao, and Ana Meyer, Project Coordinator of Juan Ciudad NGO.
Mario Iceta, Bishop of Bilbao, Ana Meyer, Project Coordinator of Juan Ciudad NGO, and the acting managing director of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Santurtzi, Brother JosĂ© Luis MartĂn, together with nearly 200 attendees, inaugurated the 8th Solidarity Craft Market that this hospital is organizing to benefit the New Kru Town health center in Monrovia, Liberia. The inauguration took place on March 8th, the feast day of Saint John of God, co-patron saint of the sick, patron saint of nurses, and founder of the hospitaller order that bears his name.
As Brother JosĂ© Luis MartĂn pointed out, âThe goal this year is to surpass the âŹ100,000 barrier raised, collectively, since the initiative was launched in 2009. To date, we have already sent âŹ92,921 to Africa through Juan Ciudad NGOD, so we are hopeful of reaching this goal, which is so necessary for maintaining the health of the population of Monrovia.â
According to her, "more than 40 people are collaborating in the organization of the solidarity craft market, which brings together some 1,500 handcrafted works, the production of which has required more than 10,000 hours of solidarity work." The Solidarity Craft Market "is held thanks to the collaboration not only of the Hospital's professionals and Juan Ciudad NGO, but also of the volunteers and members of the Friends of San Juan de Dios Hospital in Santurtzi Network, which currently brings together more than 600 people."
âSharing what we have and helping the last of the last on Earthâ
Prior to the inauguration of the Solidarity Craft Market, the Bishop of Bilbao, Mario Iceta, presided over a Mass in the hospital chapel, during which he administered the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to 25 patients at the healthcare center. On the occasion of the inauguration of the Solidarity Craft Market, in addition to remembering the sick, he expressed his gratitude for "the work of the Market organizers, the volunteers, and the people who have selflessly contributed with creative and beautiful works to help the poorest on Earth, in this case, the New Kru Town Health Center in Liberia."
He also remembered "with emotion" those brothers of St. John of God and the health center staff "who died in the Ebola crisis for not leaving the poor alone. For them, a moving and deeply grateful memory."
Any contribution to the Market "goes entirely to Liberia and, therefore, is a magnificent opportunity for us to be merciful as well. To share what we have with those poor people who need everything. Today is a beautiful day, of mercy, of God with us, of God with the sick, and in which we want, as this year's motto, to be 'Merciful like the Father,' to share what we have and effectively help the least of the least on Earth," the Bishop told those present.
Liberia discovers the Solidarity Artisan Market
For her part, Ana Meyer, Project Coordinator for Juan Ciudad NGO, noted that Juan Ciudad has supported the Market "since its launch in 2009 because we have always considered it an example of how the San Juan de Dios hospitals can contribute to the work carried out by the NGO and by the San Juan de Dios brothers in Africa and Latin America. Therefore, it is an example of collaboration between professionals, volunteers, and collaborators of an organization."
At Juan Ciudad NGO, "we are very grateful for the work being done in Santurtzi because it also has a significant impact on the centers where we work. In Liberia, in particular, they are aware of this solidarity craft market; in fact, we recently contacted them to let them know we would be there, and they were very grateful and happy, trying to help in any way they could to ensure everything went as smoothly as possible."
Solidarity Craft Market
This year's market emphasizes its distinctly artisanal character, with works handmade for the occasion. It offers, at affordable prices, more than 1,500 works, including dollhouses, stuffed animals, cross-stitch and oil paintings, brooches, rings, bracelets, candles and handmade soaps, and various works in patchwork, scrapbooking and period, baby clothes - with hats, booties, jackets and skirts -, scarves and hats, decorated glass plates, boxes and items worked in wood, stationery and bookbinding materials and a long etcetera.
It is located in the auditorium of the San Juan de Dios Hospital in Santurtzi (Avda. Murrieta, 70), within the new Services building, and will remain open until the end of the month. Admission is free and the museum will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
As in previous years, all proceeds from the Solidarity Artisan Market will go toward the international development cooperation health project at the New Kru Town health center in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, on the west coast of Africa.
Source: Santurzi Hospital Press Release â DocorComunicaciĂłn
