Canadian Jesuits International

  • Who we are
    • Vision, mission and values
    • CJI history
    • The Society of Jesus (Jesuits)
    • Provincial’s message
    • CJI board
    • CJI staff
    • Job opportunities
    • Tributes
  • International Programs
    • Education and Health
    • Sustainable Agriculture and Livelihood Support
    • Human Rights Defence and Community Organizing
    • Forcibly Displaced People and Humanitarian Action
    • Projects we support
  • Outreach
    • Youth for Others
    • Community engagement
    • Solidarity trips
    • Advocacy
    • Prayer
    • Your voices
  • Ways to give
    • Donate online
    • Donate via phone or mail
    • Monthly donations
    • Planned giving
    • Finances
    • CJI’s Privacy policy
  • Resources
    • Publications
      • Newsletters
      • Appeals
      • News archive
    • Multimedia
      • Video archive
      • Webinars
    • Our Partners
      • Project Partners
      • Jesuit Organizations
      • Sister Organizations
Donate
  • Home
  • Your voices
  • Making a real difference: Ted and Shirley Valentine

Making a real difference: Ted and Shirley Valentine

18 July 2012 / Published in Your voices

Making a real difference: Ted and Shirley Valentine

As a nursing graduate of St Louis University, Missouri, I met Tom Dooley MD, a former alumnus who spoke of his work as a medical missionary in Laos. His inspirational talk moved me to become involved. When Fr Abraham [Murray], a Canadian Jesuit who was working in Darjeeling, toured Canada in 1961, people invited me to meet him, given my interest in charity work. We have supported projects he founded since then, for more than 50 years. We used to give up our Friday dinner dessert and save money for Darjeeling.

My mother also started to support Fr Abraham and corresponded with him. My youngest sister visited Fr Abraham, spending Christmas at SASAC, and our eldest son, Tom, travelled to Kurseong and spent time teaching Nepali students English after graduating from Dalhousie Law (1986). He returned with his wife, Samantha, to visit in 1989.

We all realized we were part of an outstanding development – making a real difference in the lives of so many families in that corner of the world.

We visited SASAC for 12 days in 2004 and about 10 in 2007. We have seen the unbelievable growth and development. Recently we’ve been more involved with Sr Ann Francesca’s Flame of Hope whose creation and growth can also be attributed to Fr Abraham. To be a part of this for more half a century has been a privilege. Ted and I are servants – “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17).

Author

  • Shirley Valentine

    View all posts

Tagged under: Darjeeling, India, livelihoods, Nepal, SASAC, SOJASI

2021 Easter Appeal

Two young students walk outside one of the classrooms at Moran Memorial School in Nepal. Photo: D. Lee/Eyrie Foundation

Bridging Borders

Subscribe to our newsletter!

Ways to give

  • Donate online
  • One-time donations
  • Monthly donations
  • Planned giving

@canadianjesuitsinternational

Follow us!
  • Who we are
  • International Programs
  • Outreach
  • Ways to give
  • Resources
Donate Now!

Follow us

Subscribe to our newsletter!


 Our Privacy Policy

Contact

Canadian Jesuits International

70 Saint Mary St
Toronto, ON
M5S 1J3
Canada

Tel: 416.465.1824
Toll Free (Canada and USA): 1.800.448.2148

Email: cji@jesuits.ca

© Canadian Jesuits International 2021

TOP
Resize font
Contrast
Accessibility by WAH