The Call to Serve

Hi everyone! I’m a member of the Youth Group at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Millis, MA. In February 2025, I had the life-changing opportunity to travel to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania to serve the poorest of the poor. We brought donations to several orphanages where we played with and entertained the children. We served with the selfless Missionaries of Charity (Mother Teresa sisters), at their compound caring for orphans and severely disabled and elderly residents. Our group also visited villages providing money for food and performing small tasks such as painting an elderly home. This trip opened my eyes and my heart, and I’ve felt a powerful calling to return this summer—this time to Arusha, near the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

During my first trip, I was moved by the incredible people we served. I’ll never forget one specific orphanage: where one woman opened her small home to care for 27 children on her own. They live in extreme poverty—10 to a room, sleeping three to a bed, everything is concrete with dirt floors. They lack enough clean water, and the caregiver cooks mainly rice over an open fire, relying entirely on God’s providence to get through each day. Despite having so little, the smiles and enthusiasm of these children when we played and sang with them left an everlasting impression on me. They have a gratitude and joy that I wanted to bring back home with me. 

What we will be doing

I will be returning to Arusha, Tanzania near Mount Kilimanjaro for 2 weeks this summer. We will serving orphans, the poor, elderly, and working with the Missionary of Charity Sisters. We will be doing much of the same thing, just for a longer period of time in a different part of Tanzania. Each day we wake up early to attend mass and in the evenings, we attend adoratiion and say a rosary each day on our journey. Growing closer to God through prayer is a big part of the trip.

How you can walk with me

To make this mission a reality, I need to raise $3500 to cover travel, my stay (last year we stayed at a retreat center), and ministry supplies. I would be so grateful if you would consider partnering with me- either through a donation or the power of prayer. Any extra money will be given directly to the people we serve. I will be carrying a prayer journal with me to Tanzania and will be offering up my work and prayers for your specific intentions during our daily mass and adoration. Please leave a prayer intention in the comments or feel free to message me (617) 285-3888.

This website accepts Apple Pay. If you’d rather donate via Venmo, my mom can accept donations for me: @Jennifer-Cronin-8 (last 4 digits of phone are 4711). Checks can be mailed to: 

Ella Cronin 

19 Mozart Drive

Walpole, MA 02081

Matthew 25:40, “Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these lease brothers of mine, you did for me.”