St Vincent de Paul Society and Twinnage
Twinnage was started to bring justice to the developing world, putting the SVP’s founder’s words into action:
“Justice is a fixed star which human societies try to follow from their uncertain orbits. It can be seen from different points of view, but Justice itself remains unchanged.”
Blessed Frederic Ozanam - the Society’s Founder.
Twinnage is a way of SVP conferences globally. SVP groups in England and Wales are currently twinned with SVP groups in India, Sudan, South Sudan, Grenada, Guyana and Romania.
It is one of the activities most cherished by the Society.
This direct link between two conferences, consisting of sharing prayer, a profound friendship and material resources, is called Twinning. The activity contributes to world peace and to understanding and cultural exchange among peoples.
As SVP groups are, by their nature made up of local members of the community, in developing countries this can mean that local groups do not have access to significant funding. Twinnage ensures that vital funding reaches even the poorest communities in countries where the SVP exists.
The financial support received by SVP groups in developing countries enables them to provide immediate emergency aid to those in need as well as financing longer term projects and schemes that make the local population self-sufficient, e.g. supplying bicycles, sewing machines, animals, or providing loans to start small business and digging wells to make communities sustainable.
Horsham and Kerala
The SVP in Horsham are linked with Kerala and we have been supporting several projects with them through the help of money raised during our annual parish collection at St John’s.
These range from funds for single issue projects, to regular financing for at least three students to support them with education. Each student is in a different stage in their learning, with one at a Primary level, one at a Secondary level and the third in Tertiary education.
As funding through the SVP is so direct, with no extra tiers of administration and therefore, no overheads, all monies go straight to those in the most need. In the regular communications we have with our fellow 12 SVP members in Kerala, we hear of the Parish priest, Father Balaswamy, being able “to distribute blankets, rice, dall and other provisions to the poor and needy, who are unable to do any work at all.” It is really humbling to think of how much good has been done with the help our parish gives. To know that any monies raised go straight to those who, the community itself, judges most in need, is very inspiring.
For the last three years we have been helping to fund an initiative to provide clean water for the parish there. The UV water station was to be set up outside of St Joseph’s church and school and is for the use of all in the area.
Recently, they shared photographs of the community’s celebrations at the inauguration and blessing of this project which has already benefitted so many in Kerala:
“We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to your conference, for your valuable financial support, without which this would not have been materialised.”
(From The letter from Kerala SVP).
To learn more about SVP aid in Sudan and South Sudan, click here. 
