2023 was rich in its bounty and beautiful memories. Barka Canada celebrated its 10 year anniversary in 2023. Our friends from Barka UK — Ewa Sadowska and Andrew Keogh — were able to visit for this celebration. We would like to sincerely thank everyone who was able to come to our event or contributed over the years to our projects. We had a wonderful opportunity to reminisce about the many people who we were able to help, many of whom then helped others regain their dignity and health.

Our Community Farm produced a bounty of organic vegetables, garlic and herbs. A portion of these proceeds ($1000) was donated to the Kopernik Lodge Foundation which celebrated their 50th anniversary with a beautiful Gala dinner. We are excited about the new facilities being built for the lodge and how it continues the rich legacy of its Polish founders.

A new group, our women’s support group, has also begun meetings, with many exciting ideas planned for next year.

As we await Christmas, let us be thankful for all our blessings and filled with hope for a prosperous and joyful 2024!

Come Jesus; come, give strength to the light and to the good; come where dishonesty, ignorance of God, violence and injustice dominate; come, Lord Jesus, give strength to the good in the world and help us to be bearers of your light, workers of peace, witnesses of truth. Come Lord Jesus! (Benedict XVI)