CAFOD FAMILY FAST DAY FRIDAY 2 OCTOBER 2026

This Family Fast Day, we are sharing a story of our work from northern Zimbabwe, where drought has left communities facing severe food and water shortages. Twelve-year-old Tayla told us she often arrived at school hungry and tired after fetching water for her family. Without enough to eat and drink, she struggled to concentrate and feared she would fall behind in her studies.

But thanks to the generosity of parishes like yours, our local Caritas partners worked with Tayla’s school and community to build a solar-powered water system. Now the school has safe water for drinking and for growing vegetables, meaning they can provide nutritious meals to the children all year round, helping them to stay in education and develop their God-given talents.

Use the envelope in our churches or give online at cafod.org.uk/envelope.

Tayla's story

Tayla is 12 years old. She loves studying maths at school. But some days, she arrived exhausted after walking to collect water. With little food to eat either, she couldn’t focus in class and sometimes she didn’t make it to school at all.

Tayla wants to help people in the future, just as her parents have taught her to help others in her community. “I like to study and when I grow up, I want to be a doctor.” Tayla says.

But when children don’t have enough to eat or drink, they don’t just feel hungry and thirsty – they stop learning and the dreams they once had slip away.

Your donation can give children like Tayla the chance to learn and pursue their dreams. It starts with something simple: helping one child have enough to eat and safe water to drink at school.

Our local partners worked with Tayla’s community to build a solar-powered water system. Water is pumped from the ground to Tayla’s village and school.

The impact goes beyond a reliable, safe water source. The school can now water and grow their own vegetables, providing the children with nutritious meals all year round.

Now, Tayla and her classmates have access to safe water and nourishing food at school, helping them to stay in school and grow their God-given talents.

This is how, through the work of CAFOD, your love is growing to reach your neighbours.