MARIST SM AUSTRALIA · it will take a little more financial assistance to get the end result. I...
Transcript of MARIST SM AUSTRALIA · it will take a little more financial assistance to get the end result. I...
SPRING QUARTER …
MMC Project Frame-Work
Caring Love - Quality of Life
2012 London Paralympics
Redefining disability
MMC Project Overview
Disability and Disadvantage: Social, Mental and Physical
Religious Sisters reaching out
Mother & Child Projects - Agdao, Davao, Philippines
November - Remembrance of our deceased Loved Ones.
MARIST SM AUSTRALIA
Australian Marist Mission Centre (MMC)
Marist Fathers International Mission Fund (MFIM)
Australian Marist Centre Overseas Aid Fund (AMCOA)
Caring Love & Quality of Life
MARIST MISSION NEWSLETTER, Spring - September 2012 Vol. 63, No.3
Dear Friends and Mission Partners,
Very few of us have heard of Ahmed Kelly
or his Mum. He came 4th in his event at the
recent London Paralympics. In this era of
professional sport, that would have been the
end of the story. No prize for coming second.
But this is the Paralympics. How refreshing
the joyful participation, appreciation and
support, even for opponents. Londoners and
Athletes, to their credit recognized the heroics
beneath every performance. Like springtime,
Ahmed Kelly and our athletes blossomed in a
London autumn, unburdened by Media hype,
public expectation and inflated egos.
Their humble stories, the challenges they
overcame, made us proud of these genuinely
elite young Australians.
There is an irony just beneath the joyful
celebration of their achievements. Many of
these young Australians could have been
aborted on the grounds that their new life
in the womb might possibly be affected by
physical handicap, genetic problems or a
mental defect. What a loss to Australia!
Ahmed, for example, was born with severe
disabilities caused by chemical weapons in
Iraq that left him with stunted limbs, no
hands, forearms, lower legs or feet. He and
his brother were abandoned on the doorstep
of Mother Teresa’s orphanage in Baghdad.
An unpropitious start to life but then came a
wonderful miracle of caring love that trans-
formed disability into outstanding ability.
They were adopted by a truly remarkable
Australian lady, Moira Kelly, and brought to
Melbourne in 2000. Her love made her sons,
champions in every golden sense of the word.
Elite ? Certainly. Yes, it just may be time to
redefine what is meant by ’quality of life.’
MMC Newsletters remind us of other
‘medal winners in life’ who don't make news.
Your generosity to Marist partner programs in
China, Thai-Burma, Cambodia, Bangladesh,
and the Solomons helps other youngsters who
need our caring love to blossom into winners
with a spirit akin to Ahmed’s.
Thanks for making that support
possible. God bless,
Fr Kevin Stewart SM
HONG KONG
THAI-BURMA
BANGLADESH
FIJI IS.
CAMBODIA SOLOMON IS. AFRICA
CHINA
VENEZUELA
COOK IS.
EAST TIMOR BRAZIL
PARTNERING DISADVANTAGED COURAGEOUS PEOPLE
Any society that wishes to be healthy needs to increasingly value disability and non-disability alike !
MMC’s partner programs in the Thai-Burma Border Refugee Camps address SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE,
a disability that arises directly from the trauma of literally being an unwanted no-body in a no-man’s land.
There are thousands of young people in these Refugee Camps who fled violence, murder, rape and pillaging of
their villages by the Burmese military. Some have been in the Camps for more than 10-20 years, others were
born there. Each child and youth has a sad story to tell. Self-pity is rare. Survival is a healthy reality check.
MMC’s priority is to provide safe havens (hostels) on the Thai-side of the border in three camps. Mae La, Mae
La Oon, Maera Moo. From there, children are protected and continue their education. All attend school. Life
runs on a ‘family model’ with older youth caring for the younger. It is a case of growing up fast.
Although there is a small easing of tensions with the reforms in Burma,
most refugees still retain a deep distrust of the military and resist attempts
to forcibly return them home. In the Camps all our children attend school.
Three students from Maera Moo began their online course with Australian
Catholic University this September. Like getting to the moon, it’s a big
step for them, a smaller step for humanity. They still need our help.
Some of our Camp leaders have relocated to receiving countries.
MMC is budgeting $75,000 this year for Marist Karen Mission.
Refugee Camps
Marist Ranong
‘DIFFERENT-ABILITY’ SPRING ‘WISH LIST’
DISABILITY 2012
Programs you
generously support
strive to lift the
quality of life of
Women, Youth and
Children challenged
by physical, mental
& social disadvantage
patiently helping each
of them, one at a time,
a day at a time ....
Who knows….
2016 Paralympics... ?
YODIFEE: 2016 here we come….
Marist Mission Ranong (MMR), also in Thailand, addresses social disability/disadvantage affecting Burmese
migrant families in Ranong, (where the tip of Burma touches Southern Thailand). Burmese migrate to Ranong
for basically the dirty jobs. They are vulnerable to all sorts of harassment. They exist with many restrictions on
their freedom. Military check-points are on watch for them. Children are not easily welcomed in Thai schools.
MMR runs health (HIV/Aids) and education (adult/child literacy) programs for the Migrant Burmese families.
The programs have reached the stage of development that it makes strategic sense to integrate them into a single
facility surrounded by Burmese Community housing. However, together with prayer and land (purchased by us),
it will take a little more financial assistance to get the end result. I think we can do it.
+ + =
YODIFEE-LAVALLA (now known as Marist Solidarity Cambodia) is a wonderful
program of special Education and Employment for Youth with Disabilities. 206 students
are in the formal schooling programs and 450 students in the community-based program
with smaller numbers involved in livelihood skills and small business projects.
$50,000 from MMC for 2013 is the budget for this special Marist project.
LaValla empowering young women
YODIFEE
employment
skills training and
small business
ACU Burmese Graduates 2012 Marist Ranong Diplomas in Computer Studies Dining at Villa Maria YODIFEE
Dear Sister Abiola,
I belong to a small group of people called
the “Wheezy Walkers” who meet once a
week to walk together. Most of us suffer
from chronic lung problems, and battle daily
with difficulties in breathing. Many of us
are on oxygen permanently and could not
manage without it, even for short periods.
When our members learned of the Sisters
in Nigeria hoping to obtain oxygen equip-
ment to help save lives in their little clinic,
our quiet response was simple: immediate
unquestioning generosity and sympathy.
It is therefore, with great pleasure that
I offer this donation on behalf of all the
“Wheezy Walkers”. Judy
James Parker, the first lay Catholic chaplain - coordinator of the 14th
Paralympic Games spoke of his time working with Paralympian Athletes.
My experience of the Paralympic Village...it is a sacred place. While the
village is strewn with wheelchairs, crutches, bodies of every shape and size,
there is a vibrant tangible passion for life, that not even the greatest city could
boast. " Joy in the Village is palpable”.
It is a place where everyone is celebrated and honoured whether medallist
or not, and each person is in service of their neighbour.
What is astounding is that Britain enabled the eyes of the world to be opened
to the giftedness and potential of those with disabilities through its hosting of
the Paralympic Games. ..Games aside, any society that wishes to be healthy
needs to value disability and non-disability equally". (Cath News media)
The 2012 LONDON PARALYMPICS - a sacred place celebrating Life
THANKS In our last Newsletter, we made an urgent
appeal for an Electrical Oxygen Converter and
the establishment of a blood bank in a small
clinic run by African Sisters serving 3,541
Children and Mothers each year.
Your response was tremendous. The said
equipment has been brought, paid for and
installed, plus funds for some other needs.
Our local ‘Paralympian’ “Wheezy Walkers”
describe well the spirit of Caring Love your
generosity represents and made possible.
Together you made a real difference. Thanks.
Topu Honis Children Centre “Trying our best for a best second best”
VENEZUELA
MMC is a
signatory to the
Code of Conduct
of the
Australian
Council for
International
Development
regarding values,
ethics and best
practice.
Our Beloved Dead
In November, the month of the
Holy Souls, Marists remember
with gratitude in their Masses
our deceased friends, benefactors
and all who have died in Christ.
Enclosed envelopes are for names of
your loved ones or Mass offerings.
MARIST MISSION CENTRE
An Australian Marist Fathers’
outreach addressing poverty
and social injustice by raising
awareness and resources within
Australia for Marist networks
engaged in poverty alleviation
and social development of
youth, children and women
facing social, physical and
mental challenges in the
Asia-Pacific Region.
Giving Hope
CARING LOVE
CARING LOVE
This is a new project in the enclave of Oekusi, the former
colonial Capital. Their two Centres were destroyed during the
1999 military violence. There are 52 Children at Mahata and
54 at Kutet. Most have lost at least one, some both parents.
Oekusi is the poorest region in Timor. Education is their only
window to a better life. Their Centres struggle to survive.
They are trying to be self-sufficient in their food.
Mother, Youth & Child Self-help projects “Helping Young Women to Help Themselves”
A new project - Young female domestic workers
are a very vulnerable group in most developing
countries. All are poor and often drop-outs from
school. Few complete High School. Protection and
education dramatically improve their quality of life.
In Agdao, Philippines, two Sisters are initiating a
small pilot program addressing this social need.
EAST TIMOR
PHILIPPINES
Photo: Cath News
Marist Australia Newsletter is published quarterly by Marist Mission Centre. Postal: Locked Bag 5002, Gladesville, NSW, 1675 Office: 3 Mary St, Hunters Hill NSW AUSTRALIA 2110. Tel: +61 2 9844 2275 Fax: 02 9816 1737 (www.maristmissions.com) & (www.maristfathers.org.au) Fr Kevin Stewart SM : [email protected] Jane : [email protected] Annie: [email protected] Giving Hope
MARIST SM AUSTRALIA Religious Sisters on the front lines making a difference
2012 DONATIONS
Donations to Australian Marist Centre Overseas Aid
(AMCOA) are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Your entire AMCOA donation (100%) goes
to those most vulnerable and in need, to help them to help themselves.
Donations to Marist Fathers International Mission (MFIM) are used for training Marists to work on Mission. They are non-tax deductible.
BEQUESTS Recommended wording is as follows:
The Director for the time-being of the Marist Mission Centre, a special work of the Trustees of the Marist Fathers for the Province of Australia,
3 Mary Street, Hunters Hill, NSW
OVERCOMING SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE
Throughout SE Asia, Child labour
robs children of their childhood. The
kids (pictured) are wading through a sea
of plastic waste floating on dirty waters
on the Davao waterfront.
They earn a few extra pesos to help
their families but drop out of school.
An extra dollar per day makes a huge
difference in their ability to continue in
school. Mothers are the big key to over-
coming disadvantage and building up
the quality of life of their children.
MARIST SISTERS WHERE THE NEEDS ARE GREAT !
Marist Sisters Monica & Arleen roll up
their sleeves daily to support 2 community-
based initiatives in Davao, Philippines.
Sr Arleen works with a St Luke’s Learning
Centre (a grand name for a humble concrete -
block room wedged between the sea and a
school wall). 3 sessions of Children attend
the centre daily dressed in simple uniforms
to ensure a real pride in being students.
There is a spin-off - Mums gather and work
as a team to produce handicrafts that earn
that precious extra dollar per day that makes
all the difference in schooling their children.
Sr Monica supports a drop-in Centre for
poor sea gypsy children, a kilometre distant.
They counter child malnourishment and
teach children the skills needed to bridge
their journey into formal education.
Sr Arlene
+
OBLATE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME OVERCOMING SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE
a meeting of kindred spirits ….
Moya Fleming, Director of Manly Mission
Group of the Manly-Freshwater Parish NSW
recently met Sister Jeanne (pictured above/
below in blue). They share a vision.
Sister is a former winner of the prestigious
Bayani ng Pilipino (Hero of the Philippines)
award for her work among disadvantaged
women and street children in the most violent
city of the Philippines. Moya has been a
driving force for Missions in Manly Parish.
This was a meeting of kindred spirits.
Moya and Manly parish are partnering Sister
Jeanne and Sister Jojo in a third program near
the Marist Sisters to empower poor mothers
and enable them to care for their children and
earn that extra magic dollar per day to support
their children’s education. Congratulations
Manly Parishioners and Moya’s team !
Sr Jeanne, Sr Monica SM
and dynamic house-mother
Vergie and friends at the
Bajao Children’s Centre
Agdao, Davao City
Sr Arlene and her “Mother
Entrepreneurs” earning that
elusive extra dollar per day.
Husbands assist their wives
with the marketing and are
supportive of their children.
Thanks for helping us to
help ourselves!
Education
Our Future
YES I would like to donate to
MARIST SM AUSTRALIA Marist Fathers International Mission (MFIM)
Australian Marist Centre Overseas Aid (AMCOA)
Australian Marist Centre Overseas Aid (AMCOA)
(donations are tax-deductible - 100% goes to the project )
Marist Fathers International Mission (MFIM) (non tax-deductible - Religious purposes)
Please send me information on Estate Planning
My donation:
$25 $50 $100 $250 $500 Other _______
I enclose cheque money order cash
I would like to make a direct debit from my credit card:
Monthly Quarterly Half-yearly Once only
Visa Card Master Card
Card No. _____________________________________
Name on card _________________________________
Expiry date __________________________________
Signature _____________________________________
Date _____________________________________
My details are: (please print clearly)
Title: ______ First name _____________________________
Preferred greeting e.g., Bill / Peggy______________________
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__________________________________________________
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Giving Hope
WWW.MARISTMISSIONS.COM
Post: Marist Missions, Locked Bag 5002, Gladesville, NSW 1675
Or Fax to (02) 9816 1737 or donate online. “Giving Hope”
TOPU HONIS CHILDREN’S PROGRAM - EAST TIMOR
MOTHERS’ SELF-HELP PROJECT - PHILIPPINES
CAMBODIA: The education revolution gives us hope
With thanks
from the
MMC Team and
our network of
Marist Family
Partners