Millions aided by international group based in Virginia diocese

Published: 2004-08-16

PURCELLVILLE, Va. (CNS) -- A visitor to the Purcellville offices of the International Partnership for Human Development can immediately see just how globally connected the agency is. The space is decorated with posters, needlework wall-hangings, photos, sculptures and statues from places such as Equatorial Guinea, the Central Republic of Africa and Moldova. For more than 20 years, the partnership has been helping those in need around the world. It currently has 150 staff members overseas, according to William Pruzensky, president. It has provided more than $300 million in aid and donated 400,000 tons of food worldwide. It organizes programs to provide food, water, clothes, shelter, medicine and education for the poor. Pruzensky, a member of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Potomac Falls, was one of the founding members. Created mostly by former employees of Catholic Relief Services, the partnership began in 1983 in response to an invitation from Mexican Catholic bishops to serve the poor in Mexico.

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