Jakov Čolo, the youngest of the Medjugorje seers, was one day inspired to create a charity to help the poor and needy.
Jakov shared his concern with Fr. Marinko Šakota, the parish priest of Medjugorje, who listened and told Jakov to wait a few days and pray.
Fra. Marinko, after a few days, offered the old parish office to Jakov as an aid office for the poor and needy. Thus was born Manos de Maria, which was registered as a Humanitarian Organization in 2016.
On February 25, 1997, Our Lady gave this message and it really sums up what the charism of this organization is:
“Dear children! Today I invite you in a special way to open yourselves to God the Creator and to become active. I invite you, little children, to see at this time who needs your spiritual or material help. By your example, little children, you will be the extended hands of God, which humanity is seeking. Only in this way will you understand, that you are called to witness and to become joyful carriers of God’s word and of His love.
Thank you for having responded to my call.”