Fund-raiser an international sign of love

TORONTO - Youth members of the International Catholic lay movement Focolare will host a variety show to raise money for Zilma School in Haiti.

This is the second year that Youth for a United World, the youth division of Focolare, will host the event, to be held this year at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at St. Joseph’s College (74 Wellesley St. W.).

“Our main focus is universal brotherhood and basically we are trying to promote different ways that unity and peace can be done through concrete actions,” said Mary Clare Luca, Youth for a United World member.

Most of the performers aren’t from the movement, including break dancers and a Hindu dancer.

Ten years ago Focolare members taught students in Zilma until they were able to collect enough money to build a school. Youth for a United World have continued to support it ever since. Today the school educates 482 students.

Every year Focolare members visit the school to give the donation, ensuring the money goes directly to the school and community. Since 1998, Focolare Canada has raised $75,000 for the Haitian school project.