![Nasreen in her vegetable garden, Pakistan. [Caritas]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/pakistan/images/nasreen/908662-1-eng-GB/nasreen_0column50_04space_landscape.jpg)
![More than 700 campaigners rallied before delivering anti-poverty messages to every EU embassy in London [CAFOD]](/var/storage/images/media_folder/cafod/images/campaign_images/trade_justice_campaign_images/embassy_bus/199633-2-eng-GB/embassy_bus_0column50_04space_landscape.jpg)
![Fatna (right) brings home wood that she and some neighbours have harvested from outside the camp in Kubum, south Darfur [Paul Jeffery/ACT/Caritas]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/sudan/images/fatna-right-brings-home-wood/247664-2-eng-GB/fatna-right-brings-home-wood_0column50_04space_landscape.jpg)
![Niccollette and Shrirvanie film the aftermath of the Guyanan floods, with support from CAFOD partner Guyana Human Rights Association [CAFOD]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/what-we-do/communications/images/after-guyana-floods/679742-1-eng-GB/after-guyana-floods_0column50_04space_landscape.jpg)
Harvest Fast Day: October 3
All you need to know about this year's Fast Day - plus free downloadable materials to help you support it - and stand in solidarity with the poor
When you give this Fast Day, you help CAFOD train more HIV activists, who volunteer their own time to stand alongside families struggling to cope with the impact of HIV and AIDS
Although she is only 18, Celina already carries a heavy burden of responsibility as both her father and her mother are HIV positive.
As well as nursing her sick parents, Celina is also bringing up her brother, sister and son in a drought-stricken region of Mozambique.
When the village pump stops working, she has to walk for three hours to fetch water. She spends her days cooking, washing and collecting firewood.
Thankfully Celina does not have to shoulder this heavy burden alone. CAFOD supports a network of HIV activists who volunteer to stand alongside families in need.
“When our activist, Amelia, comes here she helps me cook, do the housework and fetch water,” says Celina. “Without her help, I would have to look after the family all on my own.”
Community volunteers such as Amelia offer a vital lifeline to thousands of families in the rural town where Celina lives – giving both practical and emotional support at a time when many families face stigma and discrimination.
Please support Fast Day on October 3 - and stand in solidarity with the poor
![Celina Mader, 18, with her son Bartholomew. Although only 18, Celina already carries a heavy burden of responsibility as both her parents are HIV positive. As well as nursing them, she is also bringing up her brother, sister and son [Annie Bungeroth]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/mozambique/images/celina-mader-18-with-her-son-bartholomew/890260-1-eng-GB/celina-mader-18-with-her-son-bartholomew_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg)
When you give this Fast Day, you help CAFOD train more HIV activists, who volunteer their own time to stand alongside families struggling to cope with the impact of HIV and AIDS
![Although only 18, Celina already carries a heavy burden of responsibility as both her parents are HIV positive. As well as nursing them, she is also bringing up her brother, sister and son in a drought-stricken region of Mozambique [Annie Bungeroth]](/var/storage/images/get-involved/fundraising/fast-day/celina-preparing-fish/771996-1-eng-GB/celina-preparing-fish_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg)
Telling the story of Celina’s family in Mozambique, who feature in the Fast Day poster and leaflet
Lawrlwythiad ym Cymraeg (download in Welsh)
Pobrano z Polski (download in Polish)
Diary organiser for Harvest Fast Day 2008 (50.00 kB)
Checklist to help priests and parish contacts prepare for Fast Day, including guidance on how to use all the resources provided
![Agustin Jarquin Hernandez and his daughter Carmen [Marcella Haddad]](/var/storage/images/about-cafod/where-we-work/nicaragua/images/agustin-jarquin-hernandez-and-his-daughter-carmen/136747-2-eng-GB/agustin-jarquin-hernandez-and-his-daughter-carmen_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg)
Children’s Liturgy of the Word & picture (139.83 kB)
Based on the Gospel reading for September 26. A recurring theme in Matthew’s gospel is pointing to the difference between saying and doing, and how the importance of helping others is a response to God’s love for us
![After the devastating flood of 2000, CAFOD helped villagers in Mozambique rebuild their homes [Simon Rawles]](/var/storage/images/media_folder/cafod/images/international_images/africa/mozambique/villagers_in_mozambique_rebuild/9868-2-eng-GB/villagers_in_mozambique_rebuild_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg)
Newsletter announcements & prayers (46.50 kB)
Short texts to use in promoting Fast Day and to thank those who donated to it afterwards, plus the Fast Day prayer, and prayer of intercession
Pobrano z Polski (download in Polish)
Lawrlwythiad ym Cymraeg (download in Welsh)
![Rice farmer Rodrigo Costanilla, father of seven, farms one hectare, rented from a land-owning family, and says rice is his livelihood [Annie Bungeroth]](/var/storage/images/media_folder/cafod/images/international_images/asia/philippines/rodrigo_costanilla_rice_farmer/44653-2-eng-GB/rodrigo_costanilla_rice_farmer_0column75_06space_landscape.jpg)
All talk, no action (22.50 kB)
Homily notes for Sunday 28 September (Matthew 21:28-32). How often do we mean well, but fail to follow through on our promises, whether intentionally or unintentionally?
Homily notes for Sunday 5 October 2008 (Matthew 21:33-43). Challenging us to look after and share the resources of the earth so all will bear fruit and yield a plentiful harvest
Fast Day: Go the extra mile - your money will too
Download materials for secondary schools/youth groups: People don’t want to have to rely on outside help whenever there are problems, so providing sustainable livelihoods is key to this aim
Fast Day: Walk the World with Us
Primary schools: CAFOD believes that by working – and walking – together we can bring an end to poverty and injustice
