Hi! My name is Cassidy and this summer, I am traveling to Kampala, Uganda and Nairobi, Kenya to serve alongside the Brothers of the Missionaries of the Poor in caring for children and adults with physical and intellectual disabilities.
This will be my second year serving with the Missionaries of the Poor, an international Catholic religious order, in their East Africa apostolates, from May 25th to June 6th, 2026. I will be traveling with a small group of women from my own and neighboring parishes, led by Fr. Michael Lee, our priest at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Parish in Sparta, NJ.
The “Brothers of the Poor” were founded in 1981 by Fr. Richard Ho Lung in Papine, Jamaica, who responded to the needs of the poor and destitute in Mona Commons. Upon approval from the bishop of Kingston, Jamaica, their order became known as the Missionaries of the Poor, and they now number over 550 Brothers serving in nine different mission locations across the globe. If you would like to learn more about the Brothers and their East African missions, click here!
I deeply appreciate any support in covering the significant expenses of such a journey. My goal of $2,500 will go towards:
- $1,900 in flight expenses (Newark —> Entebbe; Entebbe —> Nairobi; Nairobi —> Newark)
- $300 in donations to the Brothers (who are graciously providing our lodging) - split between the two communities
- $100 for an East Africa Tourist Visa
- $200 to cover incidental costs (vaccinations, malaria medication, supplies, etc.)
Thank you for supporting my mission! As an aspiring world language educator and advocate of Catholic Social Teaching, I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to travel, serve, and build community across borders. I believe in the invaluable dignity of the human person and strive to promote compassion, empathy, and kindness wherever I can, whether at home or 7,000 miles away. If you have any questions about this year or last year’s mission - or simply want to learn more! - please feel free to reach out. Note: All photos in this post are from last year’s mission in May 2025!
