Donations from Maltese missionary societies to poor countries increased by around €30,000 this year, statistics obtained by the Pontifical Mission Society show.

To date, €1,104,584 has been donated to 13 missionary nations whereas €1,075,403 was raised in 2007. The countries include Eritrea, Ghana, Bangladesh, Kenya, India and Senegal.

The society collects one third of the total sum on Mission Sunday, which is celebrated on the third Sunday in October. The money is derived from collections during Masses as well as door-to-door appeals. The rest of the money comes through a number of other sources - from bazaars to funds left in wills. Fr Salvino Micallef, director of the society, said greater awareness of the work in the missions was leading to an increase in donations.

The society has mailed informative leaflets to households and the public is nowadays better informed about what is being done with the money.

The society's website also provides people with information as well as being an easy channel to make a donation.

Funds go to help build pastoral centres, chapels, schools, orphanages seminaries and to provide food.

"What they are doing is not just making sure these people get food... but they're providing them with institutions which will help make their lives better," Fr Micallef said. The money raised is never enough, especially considering that five million children under the age of five die of starvation every year.

In the meantime, tiny Malta will continue to do its bit to help - according to Fr Micallef, donations for 2009 already look encouraging.