WelCom May 2022
Every year Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand combines with Catholic schools throughout the country to raise funds and awareness to support selected, small schools in need across the Pacific, through an annual event known as Mufti Mania. Over the last 15 years, they have raised almost $300,000.
Last month, Caritas launched an initiative for Catholic schools to begin a new chapter, which continues the legacy of Mufti Mania but re-brands it as YCC Day.
What exactly is YCC Day? The letters remind us of the purpose:
- You + Caritas Combined
- Your Choice of Clothing
- Young Catholics Care
- Youth Creating Change
When thousands of young people gather in solidarity for a good cause and have fun by wearing non-uniform for the cost of a gold coin, together we can bring lasting change for a school that may not enjoy the same privileges as ourselves, says Michael Stewart of Caritas’ education team.
‘While the name may have changed, the legacy will live on,’ Michael says. ‘Mufti Mania has always been an amazing event and I’ve been privileged to see the impact on young people, both in New Zealand and overseas. Now is the time for a change and we are super excited to keep the legacy going with the new YCC Day. We know Catholic schools will get involved as we have so many kind and generous young people across the country always willing to respond to the call for justice and love.’
YCC Day in 2022 takes place on Friday 8 July and funds received from this event will help support Laura Vicuna School in the Holy Land. Everyone is invited to join in.
This year’s YCC Day is for a great cause, says Roger Ellis, Engagement Manager at Caritas. ‘I’m hoping young people from all over Aotearoa will join in this work of justice to give a helping hand to Laura Vicuna School in Bethlehem. It’s a small school situated in the Holy Land. The school began in 1988 and is in dire need of support to fix and repair toilets, purchase new laptops and projectors as well as round tables for small group learning activities. Here in Aotearoa these things can be taken for granted. We’re very thankful for the generosity of students here in New Zealand,’ Roger says.
More information and activities for YCC Day 2022 are online at: www.caritas.org.nz/ycc-day
Watch and share the video for YCC Day online at this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FPn55LStz0