Pupils at St Columba’s High School in Dunfermline are urging people to show their support for SCIAF this Lent.

Each Lent Scots give up a favourite treat such as chocolate, wine, or coffee and put the money they save into a Wee Box for the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund. This money is then donated at Easter to support vulnerable communities who are facing hunger, poverty, and war.

This year the Wee Box is focusing on Rwanda, 30 years on from the genocide which saw around one million people lose their lives.

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Ben Wilson, SCIAF’s public engagement director, said: “We are so grateful to St Columba’s High for giving us such a lovely welcome. Their support for people living in poverty around the world is really overwhelming. 

“Our Lenten appeal this year is so important. There are so many wars and tragic things happening all over our world, which we witness every day on our television screens. But there are also ongoing struggles and injustices in countries across the world that we don’t hear much about, like in Rwanda.”

SCIAF’s work in Rwanda focuses on supporting women and girls who have suffered discrimination. SCIAF helps projects which support women rebuild their lives and create a better future for themselves.

Callum Timms, principal guidance teacher, said: “Our young people continue to demonstrate their passion for peace and justice, and our curriculum draws focus to the power of compassion and solidarity.

“The SCIAF Wee Box appeal is a focus of our work at this time of year, aligning with these priorities as we seek to secure support for our sisters and brothers in Rwanda and across the world as we seek to draw attention to the importance of understanding our role as global citizens.

“As Lent approaches, our Caritas pupils have come together showing God’s love in the shape of a heart, holding our Wee Boxes high to symbolise our commitment to spreading love and hope across borders. Together, we can make a difference."