Project Forgotten Child Seeks to Help Children in Warn-Torn Africa

For Sister Judith Costa, Project Forgotten Child has been years in the making. Her life's work continues to be serving children and families in some of the most impoverished communities in Africa.

Recently, Sister Judith joined with former New Bedford Police Chief Joseph Cordeiro to expand Project Forgotten Child, a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of children in underserved regions of Africa.

Both Sister Judith and Cordeiro visited Townsquare Sunday to talk about their work and an upcoming fundraiser planned for November 6.

"We've been raising money to help the children in Africa since 2001, through a series of small fundraisers, yard sales and other little things, and that's how we started," Sister Judith said. The funds have been used for food, clothing, medical care and education.

A Partnership Decades in the Making

Sister Judith recruited Cordeiro – she was his third grade teacher – to help give the organization a larger presence. The group's first large fundraiser is a wine tasting event on November 6 at the Portuguese Cultural Center in Fall River.

Event Details: Portuguese Wine Tasting in Fall River

"There will be a large selection of Portuguese wines, and locally produced wines as well," Cordeiro said. "There will be lots of food, and a number of raffles as well, along with a DJ and more. It's just going to be a fun, fun event, with 100 percent of the proceeds going to Project Forgotten Child and children in Angola and Mozambique."

Contributed Photo

Rebuilding Schools in Angola and Mozambique

Sister Judith, through the Congregation of Sisters of St. Dorothy, has ties to schools in Angola and Mozambique. "The money we raise will be used to rebuild schools destroyed during past wars, because education is where it's at," she said. "We want to educate those children so that when they leave us, they are able to make a living."

Tickets for the wine tasting event can be obtained by emailing jcordeiro@projectforgottenchild.org, or by calling Sister Judith at (508) 345-2660.

If you would like to make a donation, visit ProjectForgottenChild.org.

"Wherever there's a need, there's a need," Sister Judith said. "God doesn't play any favorites. Charity is universal. That's what God tells us in the Commandments, love God and love others. That's the basis of our organization."

If you would like your nonprofit or charitable event featured on Townsquare Sunday, please email the host at jim.phillips@townsquaremedia.com.