Trocaire campaign for Guatemala

Thirty years after their first Lenten campaign, Trócaire are still boxing clever with a fundraising initiative that has become a national institution.

The 30th Lenten box was launched yesterday in Dublin by Trócaire chairman, Bishop John Kirby of Clonfert. Proceeds this year will go to support the Maya people of Guatemala.

Just over 1 million Trócaire boxes have been distributed. Since the initiative was introduced in 1973, under then Trócaire chairman, Bishop Eamon Casey, €110 million has been raised for vulnerable people in Iraq, Ethiopia, southern Africa and other countries. The funds have allowed Trócaire to support more than 7,000 projects in 60 countries.

The boxes are traditionally returned to Trócaire after Easter bursting with coins, notes and some surprises.

"There are times when we need a chainsaw to hack through the masking tape children have stuck around the boxes to make sure they don't fall apart under the weight of the coins," said Ms Caroline Lynch of Trócaire.

Children often write notes and insert tiny biscuits or miraculous medals into the boxes. One boy put his father's credit card in the box.

The most popular places for Trócaire boxes are on the mantelpiece, on the kitchen table or on top of the television. In the workplace they are often used as a deterrent to foul language.

Trócaire have made the box stronger and more attractive. The small, dull boxes older people might remember have been replaced by a modern box that is a blaze of colour.

Director of Trócaire, Mr Justin Kilcullen, said the organisation had always worked with communities and human rights defenders who had spoken up for the poor and oppressed.

"They have used their words to counter the military arsenals of the state. All too many of our partners have been killed in their quest for justice."