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Celine Dion Moved to Tears Voicing Her Support for Mary's Meals documentary, CHILD 31

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November 27, 2013 - 12:19 PST

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA ADVISORY

BLOOMFIELD, NJ (November 27, 2013 - Global singing sensation Celine Dion is among the host of celebrities who have given their heartfelt backing to the online launch of Child 31, a documentary film about global charity Mary's Meals.

The double-platinum artist watched the half-hour film after hearing about Mary's Meals--which provides a daily meal to 822,142 impoverished children in their place of education--and contacted the charity to offer her help.

Visibly emotional, in her video message, Dion says: "As a parent it's so frustrating to learn that this suffering exists among our youth and it's our responsibility to do whatever we can to save them.

Together we can make a difference in the lives of all these precious children. Through the grace and love provided by Mary's Meals, there is hope; there is a future."

By the end of her two minute message of support, Dion, holding back tears, adds: "I urge you to watch Child 31, so that you can see for yourself how Mary's Meals is making a huge difference for these children and by doing so, it's going to change their lives--and I promise it's going to change yours too."

Child 31, produced by award-winning New York production company Grassroots Films, is available for free viewing online. The film, funded by a Mary's Meals donor, exposes the realities of chronic hunger and follows Mary's Meals founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow as he shows how effective school feeding programs can be in ending the cycle of poverty created by a lack of food.

The documentary gives insight into the lives of some of the children supported by the charity, such as Lette in Malawi and Muksi in Kenya. Without Mary's Meals, orphan Lette would be unable to attend school as she is responsible for looking after her two younger brothers. Muksi was sleeping on a rubbish dump, scavenging to stay alive, before Mary's Meals arranged for him to attend school and receive a life-changing daily meal.

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, chief executive of Mary's Meals, said: "So many people who have seen Child 31 so far have been moved and inspired to help Mary's Meals, including a number of high profile figures.

"They, and others all over the world, are people who will not accept that any child in this world of plenty must endure a day without a meal. As a result of their good deeds, thousands of children, who would otherwise be hungry and working for their next meal, are instead sitting in a classroom with a full stomach, learning how to read and write.

"We hope that making the film available online will bring the story of Child 31 to new eyes, new ears, and new hearts, and help Mary's Meals to transform yet more lives."

It costs a global average of $16.80 to feed a child with Mary's Meals for a whole school year and the charity is committed to spending 93 cents of every dollar donated directly on charitable activities.

To watch Child 31 or any of the celebrity endorsements, please visit: www.child31film.com
For more information about Mary's Meals USA, please visit www.MarysMealsUSA.org, www.facebook.com/marysmeals, and @MarysMeals (official film hashtag #Child31).


Notes to Editors
Mary's Meals began in Malawi in 2002 when its founder Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow met a young woman called Emma who was dying from AIDS. She was sitting on the mud floor of her hut surrounded by her children. When Magnus asked her 14-year-old son what his dreams were in life, his stark reply was: "To have enough food to eat and to go to school one day". This was a key part of the inspiration that led to the Mary's Meals campaign.
www.marysmeals.org | @marysmeals | www.facebook.com/marysmeals

For further press enquiries:
Mary's Meals: Kaitlin Flynn, Head of US Communications
T: (917) 903-5043
E: kaitlin.flynn@marysmeals.org

Contact

Mary's Meals USA
http://www.child31Film.com
NJ, 07003 US
Kaitlin Flynn - Head of US Communications,

Keywords

Mary's Meals, Child 31, Celine Dion, Hunger, Education, School

Category

Catholic Organizations

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