The Diocese of Toliara has two budgets: development & operating.
The “Development Budget” is for costly investments in the growth of the Diocese, such as building new churches, sending future clergy to university, economic development projects, and emergency relief during famines or after cyclones.
Its “Operating Budget” covers everything else: paying clergy, evangelists, and other staff, running St Patrick’s Bible College where students are trained, and other day-to-day expenses.
The operating budget is amazingly small—just over $80,000 for the whole Diocese. You couldn’t achieve that with only $80,000 in Europe or the USA! It is wonderful that such a sum can do so much to impact so many lives, and spread the Gospel. “Administrative” costs account for only 19% of the budget; and that includes the salaries of the Diocesan Bookkeeper, Administrator and Economic Development Coordinator.
The Diocese is doing what it can, but the people it serves are too poor to sustain and grow the Diocese without international help. The Diocese is only 8 years old, and is working hard to make itself more sustainable. The local contribution grew by a quarter from 2018 to 2020 and is expected to grow by a further 75% in 2021.
The Covid-19 pandemic (resulting in lack of tourism) and the famine in the Diocese both reduce the already meager incomes of the people of Madagascar, and what they can give. The famine relief led to growth in new Christians and Churches. As a consequence of all this, the Diocese needs more help than originally expected. So, our goal is to raise $40,000 in 2021 to assist the Diocese.
Thankfully, at the end of March, we’re making good progress towards that goal. Costs of the Bible College are covered for this year, and $10,000 has given in support of the evangelists. In addition, a Church in Paris has pledged a portion of their tithe; an Illinois church has pledged $5,000 and a couple have given $500. The remaining sum needed is $24,000.
To help raise that sum, a grant has been offered to match up to $12,000. So far $1,000 has been received. If the full $12K, with matching grant, is raised, we will meet our overall $40,000 goal. If each of us plays a part, we can do it! Your gift will make a real difference.