A New Leaf reveals a living example of charity

New documentary showcases Catholic efforts in Sahel

Women from the Sahel region watch filming of the documentary A New Leaf. 
(Photo courtesy of Salt and Light Television)

A new documentary by Salt and Light Television documents the work of Caritas Internationalis during a food crisis in Niger last year. A New Leaf raises some important issues about helping the poor, and shows how people of other faiths come to appreciate Christians because of the aid they provide.

Unlike videos featuring starving children with protruding ribs, A New Leaf places its emphasis on aid. The documentary is peppered with short interviews of local women and pastors, and with short clips of Nigerians clapping and cheering "Caritas! Caritas!"

CCODP and Caritas Niger are part of Caritas Internationalis, an international umbrella group of Catholic aid agencies.

The Sahel, which includes parts of Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mauritania, Algeria, and Senegal, is no stranger to difficulty. With only a few months of rain a year, it is prone to drought. Rising food prices, locust swarms, and warmer climates also threaten to starve the locals.

For full story, see The B.C. Catholic website.

You can also watch the A New Leaf trailer here.