By Elodie Fraboulet, Congregational Spirituality Centre Assistant, Motherhouse, France
The now annual “Bowl of Rice” solidarity meal, organised by the Motherhouse team, took place on Good Friday, 3e April 2026.
Inspired by a tradition that originated in private schools in France, this initiative invites everyone to share a simple meal — a bowl of rice — in a spirit of solidarity. In return, participants are free to donate an amount of their choice, which goes towards supporting a charitable cause. This occasion, both convivial and meaningful, brought together 70 people, including sisters and partners-in-mission, as well as members of the wider community from the parish of Saint-Lazare-Saint-Nicolas, the nearest to the Motherhouse in Angers, France.
At the meal, Sister Annamma Vattakottayil, head of the Motherhouse and a missionary in Madagascar for 42 years, gave a presentation about the mission in Mozambique and our schools there.
“She told us about the lives of the children and their parents, and the work the sisters do there; it was very interesting,” says Geneviève, one of the participants at the meal. “We saw a wonderful outpouring of generosity and solidarity towards Madagascar,” another participant, Michelle, enthusiastically shared.
This year, a total of €2,015 has been raised and will be donated to our communities in Madagascar to benefit the children attending our Good Shepherd schools there.
“The donations will help three schools, two in Antananarivo, the capital, and one in Sandrandahy,” explains Sister Florentine Raharinirina, leader of the Isles District.
“Our aim is to feed the children attending our schools. They often come from poor families. The three schools cater for over 700 children aged between 5 and 18. In Madagascar, a kilo of rice costs 1€ and is enough to feed seven or eight children. Thanks to the donations received, we will therefore be able to prepare a very large number of meals, and we are very grateful.”
