Papal foundation approves $1.9 million for projects in Latin America

Published: 2005-07-27

LIMA, Peru (CNS) -- The "Populorum Progressio" Foundation has approved $1.9 million in grants to fund about 200 projects ranging from beekeeping to teacher training. "These are small projects that give people a chance to get out of extreme poverty and help themselves," said Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez of Guadalajara, Mexico, who celebrated Mass at the close of the foundation's administrative committee meeting in Lima July 20-22. The projects, presented by parishes, missionaries and Catholic organizations from around Latin America, with the support of their local bishops, included assistance for building housing, latrines and systems for supplying clean drinking water, as well as support for starting small community businesses. The foundation puts a cap of $10,000 on the grants. More than half the projects were related to education.

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