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“Living in peace, we can send our children to school;

we can do our work well”Flabiana – Timor lesTe

Project Compassion 2012

“if you want Peace, work for Justice”

PoPe PaUl Vi

no 128 AUTUMN 2012End poverty Promote justice Uphold dignity

Caritas Australia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land.

In 1955 the song, Let There be Peace on Earth (and let it begin with me) by Jackson and Miller was first heard. For over 50 years this gentle call for peace has become well-known in many countries around the world.

On 1 January 1972, for the World Day of Peace, Pope Paul VI said, “If you want Peace, work for Justice” which, he also said, is a more incisive and dynamic version of “Justice will bring about Peace” – Isaiah 32:17.

And in 2012, we’re still asking for Peace on Earth. What better way to describe peace,

than to repeat the words from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (2304): “Respect for and development of human life require peace. Peace is not merely

the absence of war, and it is not limited to maintaining a balance of powers between adversaries. Peace cannot be attained on earth without safeguarding the goods of persons, free communication among men, respect for the dignity of persons and peoples, and the assiduous practice of fraternity. Peace is ‘the tranquillity of order’. Peace is the work of justice and the effect of charity.”

To coincide with these thoughts, our theme for Project Compassion 2012 is peacebuilding. Caritas Australia adopts the deep and broad view of peace, which is found in the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, and which sees peace intimately linked with human development.

Flabiana from Timor Leste, on this issue’s cover, knows all about peacebuilding. In the 1999 conflict that followed the country’s declaration of independence, Flabiana and her family lost everything. To escape the violence, they hid for three months in the country’s rugged mountains, lest they – like almost one third of the country’s population – be killed in the skirmish. When it was safe to return to their village, they arrived home to a scene of destruction.

With the help of Caritas Australia, Flabiana and her family have rebuilt their life and look forward to a peaceful existence in the country they call home. We hope you are inspired by hers, and indeed all the personal stories in this issue of Caritasnews.

Caritas Australia relies on supporters like you to show love and compassion towards your fellow human beings and the world around you. Please dig deep this Lent and help us help others like Flabiana. In 2011, we raised over $9.7 million for Project Compassion. In 2012 we’re hoping to raise even more.

May peace be with you,

FROM THE CEO

Jack de Groot, CEO COntEnts03 PEACEBUILDInG WItH PROJECt

COMPAssIOn

04 FLABIAnA’s stORY: tIMOR LEstE

06 KHIn’s stORY: tHAI-BURMA BORDER

07 COLLEttA’s stORY: ZIMBABWE, AFRICA

08 BAE LIsA’s stORY: MInDAnAO, PHILIPPInEs

09 JUDY’s stORY: PERU, LAtIn AMERICA

10 AUDREY’s stORY: InDIGEnOUs AUstRALIA

11 WHAt YOUR DOLLARs CAn DO

We hope you had a safe Christmas and wish to thank you for making your giving meaningful. In 2010, Global Gifts raised $460,000; however in 2011 we raised $670,000! thank you for providing the gift of hope for so many.

We’d also like to thank you for filling out our survey. A number of people asked about the cost of Caritasnews. Each issue costs 20c to produce. this is part of our administration and fundraising costs which we strive to keep at or below 10% of our income every year.

Caritasnews is our way of informing supporters, who are not online, about the work we do. We only use paper from responsible sources. Caritasnews is also available online.

Responding to your feedback, we gave the previous issue a makeover. We hope you like the new look publication and hope you share it with family and friends.

thank you

All photos CAritAs AustrAliA unless otherwise stAted.

If you’d like to know more, please call 1800 024 413 (toll free). Our phones operate from 9.00am to 5.00pm AEst Monday to Friday.

Cover: Flabiana lives in timor Leste with her four children. Read her story on pages 4 and 5. photo: MARDEn DEAn

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For the latest news, events and updates head to:

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On the World Day of Peace, 2002, Pope John Paul II said, “Peace is essential for development”. In this view, development is not limited to economic growth but is holistic, covering all spheres of life – the economic, political, cultural, personal and spiritual.

DEVELOPMEnT PROMOTES ThE dignity of the human person and the common good. It is a transition from less human conditions to more human ones and is, in Pope Paul VI’s phrase, “the new name for peace”. Peace is not just the cessation of violence but is intimately linked to justice.

This year’s theme for Project Compassion is peacebuilding. We do hope you read our stories about the communities we serve, and thank you for supporting Caritas Australia – especially during Project Compassion. Founded in 1965, this is now one of Australia’s largest humanitarian appeals.

Week One: Timor Leste Caritas Australia works with thousands of conflict-affected families in Timor Leste; families who are now confident of a more peaceful and prosperous future. Flabiana (on cover) now has hope for her family and hope for the future. Read her story on pages 4 and 5.

Week Two: Thai-Burma border Along the border, Caritas Australia supports a range of programs for communities made vulnerable by displacement, violent clashes and inadequate social services. One program, coordinated by our partner – Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), focuses on the

vulnerability of Burmese children whose parents have migrated for work. Khin is 10

– read her story on page 6. Week Three: Zimbabwe, Africa

Once known as the ‘breadbasket of Africa’, enduring conflict and prolonged drought has reversed the prosperity of Zimbabwe. Chirumanzu, a district ravaged by brutal conflict, is where Colletta lives with her family. But in 2005, she wasn’t caught up in the violent struggle for land, she was bed ridden with tuberculosis, found to be hIV positive, and fighting for her life. Read her story on page 7.

Week Four: Mindanao, Philippines Since the 1970’s more than two million people have been displaced and 120,000 killed in Mindanao’s bloody conflict. Since 2008, Caritas Australia has supported the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) to pursue justice and authentic human development in the island’s fractured communities. Read about Bae Lisa, a MPC volunteer, traditional leader and a ‘mother of peace’ on page 8.

Week Five: Peru, Latin America In Cerro Candela, a small shanty village

PEACE Is tHE WORD

pROjEcT COmpassiOn

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other” – Mother Teresa

Mindanao, Philippines. photo: romy elufsA

on the outskirts of Lima, there is no running water, no sewage, no paved roads, and little employment. “Lack of money causes a lot of stress. It’s a very ‘macho’ society with high levels of domestic violence. Some kids end up in gangs,” said Judy, 39. Read her story on page 9.

Week Six: Indigenous Australia Audrey is a Bardi woman from Djarindijin, a remote community 200km north of Broome in Western Australia. As is sadly true of many Australian Indigenous communities, the rates of deadly ‘lifestyle’ diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and kidney failure run high in Djarindijin. Read how she’s bringing a feeling of peace, hope and wellness to her community on page 10.

There are lots of fun and inspiring ideas for 2012 on our website. Please head to www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion for more.

Congolese dancers at the Sandhurst picnic. Bugcakes fundraising at St Mark’s, Qld.

Thanks To everyone who supported Project Compassion 2011. We look forward to having you onboard again this year!Fish Friday at Martin Place, Sydney.

AuTuMn 2012 | 3

WEEk OnE: TimOr LEsTE

OnE CAn MAKE A DIFFEREnCE Never underestimate the power of one. There are many people in the world who stand up for their beliefs. One thing they have in common is a desire to be heard and a passion for justice.

yOu DOn’T nEED to be nelson Mandela or Mahatma Ghandi to change the world. you just need to be you and you just need to have a desire to help.

Pope Benedict XVI said, “The Christian’s programme – the programme of the Good Samaritan, the programme of Jesus – is a ‘heart that sees’. This heart sees where love is needed and acts accordingly.”

Caritas Australia relies on supporters like you to show love and compassion towards your fellow human beings and the world around you. One way you can help is by donating to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Founded in 1965, this is now one of Australia’s largest humanitarian appeals.

A BRigHTER FuTuRE Kris (main photo) lives in Timor Leste with her family. her mum, Flabiana (photo on right), is featured in Project Compassion 2012, and thanks to you, their future is looking brighter.In the 1999 conflict that followed Timor Leste’s declaration of independence, Flabiana and her family lost everything. Fleeing the violence that engulfed their village they spent three months hiding in Timor Leste’s rugged mountains, lest they

– like almost one third of the country’s population – be killed in the skirmish.

When it was safe to return to their village, they arrived home to a scene of destruction.

Over time, they managed to recoup a small number of goats and pigs, which they sold to rebuild their house and establish a small kiosk. But as Flabiana explains, “We didn’t have enough food

then access the machine; sharing sales between members and contributing to their savings programs.

plAnning AHEAd Today, Flabiana’s family has saved enough money to expand their kiosk, repair their house and buy several pigs, goats and chickens to breed. They can also send their children to school. “After joining Caritas we’ve found

many changes. now we have food for the whole year because we grow vegetables and earn money from food processing. Our health has also improved.”

Caritas Australia works with thousands of conflict-affected families in Timor Leste: families who are now confident of a more peaceful and prosperous future. With your ongoing

for the whole year and didn’t make much money from our kiosk or selling betel nuts. We couldn’t send all our children to school.”

HOW innOvATiOn is HElping Caritas Australia coordinates training in ‘Integrated Rural Community Development’ which unites villagers on a path to self-reliance and strengthens the community’s participation in their own development. Throughout the training, villagers learn new techniques for managing fast-growing crops, processing food, producing traditional medicines and breeding animals. This innovation is helping them to get back on their feet and move forward as one.

Empowered to take ownership of their own future, Flabiana and a group of people from her village developed a plan to produce nutritious tofu and tempeh. They approached Caritas for a $500 grant to purchase a soybean processor and we worked together to construct a sanitary building for food processing.

This group now makes and sells these and other foods for profit, and works in solidarity with the community to train others to do the same. Each newly trained group can

“LIvInG In PEACE, WE CAn sEnD OUR CHILDREn tO sCHOOL; WE CAn DO OUR WORK WELL. I tHAnK AUstRALIAns AnD AsK tHAt tHEY COntInUE tO sUPPORt Us” – FLABIAnA, tIMOR LEstE

Thanks to you, Flabiana’s daughter, Kris, and her three siblings are able to attend school in Timor Leste and their future is looking brighter.

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support, we will expand our project to include a fishing group and cow ‘swap’ project in Flabiana’s village. Their self-reliance is a positive step ahead. “Living in peace, we can send our

children to school; we can do our work well. I thank Australians and ask that they continue to support us.”

Together we can help the poorest of the poor live a life of dignity. We can help them become self-sufficient so they don’t need to rely on aid; we can help them go to school and learn better ways to farm using sustainable agriculture techniques; and we can help them support their family and community.

By supporting Caritas Australia you are creating positive change and bringing hope, life, peace and justice to many disadvantaged communities.

actIn 2011, YOU HELPED Us RAIsE OvER $9.7 MILLIOn FOR PROJECt COMPAssIOn. In 2012 WE’RE HOPInG tO RAIsE EvEn MORE.

“The most important thing I’ve learnt is to make tofu and tempeh, as I can do this every day. Besides eating the tofu I also sell it to make money for our household needs, schooling and traditional ceremonies,” said Flabiana.

photos: mArden deAn

timor Leste is the Portuguese name for East timor. the country is still rebuilding after the social and economic disruption following its separation from Indonesia in 1999 and subsequent episodes of domestic unrest.

One of the poorest countries in south East Asia, timor Leste is 550km north of Australia. It shares the island of timor with Indonesia and is one of our closest neighbours.

Population: 1,066,582 (2010 Census)

Area: 15,007 km2

Capital: Dili

Official languages: Portuguese and Tétum (national language); there are another 15 regional languages

Currency: US dollar

caritas funding 2010/2011: US $1,355,923

at a GLaNcE

AuTuMn 2012 | 5

WEEk TWO: Thai-Burma BOrdEr

KHIn’s stORYKhin, 10, lives in a rented room in Ranong, Thailand with her mother and younger brother. Her family is one of an estimated two million people who have fled poverty, violence and instability in Burma.

ALOnG ThE ThAI-BuRMA border, Caritas Australia supports a range of programs for those communities made vulnerable by displacement, violent clashes and inadequate social services. One program, coordinated by our partner – Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS), focuses on the vulnerability of Burmese children whose parents have migrated for work.

For many children, language barriers, a lack of documentation, and costly fees prevent them from attending Thai schools. JRS’ community-based learning centres offer migrant children primary education and a bridge into Thailand’s school system.

Khin is in grade four at Ban Klang learning centre, one of six JRS schools for children aged 5-14 years. With your compassionate support, Caritas Australia and JRS provide infrastructure, books and tables for students. To enhance their dignity in the classroom, each student also receives a uniform, textbooks, stationery, and lunch every day.

“My children have no papers for Thailand, no birth registration. I want them to learn Burmese, Thai and English. That’s a very important skill,” said Khin’s mother.

And Khin has embraced this opportunity to learn, especially Thai and English. “I like to read in school. I like everything about the school,” she told us.

As instability fluctuates in Burma, so does attendance at the learning centres. “Sometimes it’s too loud and difficult to concentrate – there are three classes in one room,” said Khin.

But Khin and her mother are determined for her to finish school. And the Burmese community is strongly supportive of the teachers, offering gifts in kind and volunteering where possible. Last year, less than 5% of children dropped out of the schools – a remarkable achievement.

LEaRN PROJECt COMPAssIOn sUPPORts LOnG-tERM PARtnERsHIPs FOR JUstICE AnD tRAnsFORMAtIOn AROUnD tHE WORLD.

Khin is in grade four at Ban Klang learning centre, one of six JRS schools for children aged 5-14 years.

“I like to read in school. I like everything about the school,” said Khin.

Khin’s family is one of an estimated two million people who have fled poverty, violence and instability in Burma.

More than 1,000 children have now attended JRS’ learning centres. In the long-term, JRS hopes the centres will become transition facilities, enabling children to attend Thai schools.

Khin has great ambitions. “I want to be a teacher when I grow up. Please open more schools like this one. This is very good for poor families who cannot afford to send their kids to Thai schools.”

Thanks to your solidarity with Caritas Australia, JRS continues to advocate for Burmese children’s right to education.

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WEEk THREE: ZimBaBwE, afriCa

COLLEttA’s stORY Seven years ago, Colletta, 39, was bed ridden with tuberculosis and found to be HIV positive. Thanks to the strength of our local church partnerships and your support, we were able to provide food, temporary shelter and psychosocial support.

Zimbabwe was once known as the ‘breadbasket of Africa’, yet enduring conflict and prolonged drought has reversed this prosperity. Today, debilitating poverty continues to threaten the fragile peace.

Chirumanzu, a district ravaged by Zimbabwe’s brutal conflict, is where Colletta lives with her family. But in 2005, she wasn’t caught up in the violent struggle for land, she was bed ridden with tuberculosis, found to be hIV positive, and fighting for her life.

This was an intense time, as Colletta struggled to support her elderly mother, two sons and two nieces. “I had lost hope in life. I found it difficult even to give my family one decent meal per day. We were labelled a family of beggars. Our community had no money, poor nutrition, no safe water or sanitation.”

At the height of Zimbabwe’s political and economic crisis, most international aid and development efforts were suspended. But thanks to the strength of our local church partnerships and your support we were able to

provide food, temporary shelter and psychosocial support.

Caritas has since worked across all eight dioceses, building resilience for the most vulnerable families. Diocesan partner, Caritas Gweru, supplied seedlings and equipment, enabling Colletta’s community to grow vegetables and medicinal herbs. They also rehabilitated boreholes and wells, and provided hygiene training and household latrines.

Colletta’s community now has safe water to drink and to replenish their gardens. As Colletta explains,

“We’ve been trained to keep the borehole working. My family’s sanitation and nutrition has greatly improved, and incidences of diarrhoea have decreased. Caritas taught us that these projects belong to us. We care for them like our household goods.”

Caritas Gweru also trains volunteers to provide home-based care for people living with hIV/AIDS and other

illnesses. Colletta is now on Anti-Retroviral Therapy and has enough food to make the medication effective.

“Physically, I’m stronger and can work in the garden. I believe there’s life after infection ... my wish is that my children continue at school and that I have a long life. I’d like to thank Australians and request they assist more people so that more lives improve.”

DONatEYOUR DOnAtIOn tO CARItAs AUstRALIA’s PROJECt COMPAssIOn WORKs tOWARDs tHE CREAtIOn OF tHE JUst AnD COMPAssIOnAtE WORLD tHAt GOD DEsIREs.

“I BELIEvE tHERE’s LIFE AFtER InFECtIOn ... MY WIsH Is tHAt MY CHILDREn COntInUE At sCHOOL AnD tHAt I HAvE A LOnG LIFE” – COLLEttA

Colletta with her mother, two sons and two nieces. She feels happy that all her children are able to attend school.

Colletta is now strong enough to work in the garden and look after her two goats, provided by Caritas.

photos: thembA mAdzvimbo

AuTuMn 2012 | 7

WEEk FOuR: mindanaO, phiLippinEs

BAE LIsA’s stORY Bae Lisa lives in Mindanao, a Philippines’ island, with her husband and their nine children. Since 2008, we have supported Bae Lisa, a volunteer with the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) which works towards peace.

Since the 1970’s more than two million people have been displaced and 120,000 killed in Mindanao’s bloody conflict. For decades, the Philippines’ mineral-rich island has been mired by land grabbing, economic exclusion, and a disregard for customary laws and practices that breeds widespread poverty and injustice.

Today, the island is the Philippines’ poorest: high maternal and child mortality, malnutrition and lack of education are among the many development challenges contributing to insecurity and injustice.

Since 2008, Caritas Australia has supported the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) to pursue justice and authentic human development in the island’s fractured communities.

The program works by building peace from the ground up. not only does MPC provide urgent humanitarian relief in conflict-affected communities, but also enables Indigenous communities to peacefully protect their traditional lands while encouraging robust community participation in the peace process.

Bae Lisa is a traditional leader of the

Talaandig tribe and a ‘mother of peace’ – one of over 300 Indigenous leaders engaged by MPC to work together towards peace.

“In times of crisis I comfort traumatised women and children who fear for their lives. I deliver food to displaced people and mediate between government officials and traditional leaders,” said Bae Lisa.

While the barriers to peace here are vast, stewardship of Indigenous communities’ lands is critical.

“The biggest challenge we faced was the intrusion of outsiders interested in our trees, our water, mining and agriculture ... Military harassed us.”

Volunteers like Bae Lisa are crucial for maintaining Mindanao’s ceasefire, ensuring marginalised community concerns are heard at the highest levels. She works to deepen understanding of the conflict and enhance support for peace through community forums, interfaith dialogues and a radio program. Such initiatives have helped build a peace process wholly owned by those communities most affected by the conflict.

“I was elected as an MPC council member for Indigenous people, alongside Christian and Muslim representatives. I participated in peace advocacy in Manila and dialogue with government agencies.

“now we can respond to critical situations and contact decision makers to defuse volatile situations. We’re more open to engaging with other groups in the name of peace, not like before. The Talaandig tribe is regarded as a peace negotiator. This program has uplifted our outlook.”

Thanks to your compassionate support for Caritas Australia, MPC and its volunteer network will continue working for sustainable peace in Mindanao.

“In tIMEs OF CRIsIs I COMFORt tRAUMAtIsED WOMEn AnD CHILDREn WHO FEAR FOR tHEIR LIvEs. I DELIvER FOOD tO DIsPLACED PEOPLE AnD MEDIAtE BEtWEEn GOvERnMEnt OFFICIALs AnD tRADItIOnAL LEADERs” – BAE LIsA

actYOUR sUPPORt FOR PROJECt COMPAssIOn ALLOWs CARItAs AUstRALIA tO HELP BRInG FREEDOM, AnD DELIvER LAstInG POsItIvE CHAnGE FOR sOME OF tHE WORLD’s MOst vULnERABLE COMMUnItIEs.

Bae Lisa, a traditional leader of the Talaandig tribe and a ‘mother of peace’, is determined that children grow up knowing and understanding peace.

Volunteers like Bae Lisa are crucial for maintaining Mindanao’s ceasefire, ensuring marginalised community concerns are heard at the highest levels.

photos: romy elufsA

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tHAnKs tO tHE HEALtH PROMOtERs WE’vE LEARnt A LOt ABOUt PREvEntInG AnD MInIMIsInG ILLnEss” – JUDY

WEEk FivE: pEru, LaTin amEriCa

JUDY’s stORY Cerro Candela may lie within Lima’s city limits, but life in this small shanty village is a world away from Peru’s lively tourist haunts: there is no running water, no sewage, no paved roads, and little employment. For Judy, 39, her husband and their eight children, it bears little resemblance to God’s vision of a just world.

Judy’s village is home to one of the world’s highest rates of tuberculosis and more than one in three young children are malnourished, yet access to health care and social services goes wanting.

“It’s a very polluted environment … we get frequent sicknesses, infections and skin complaints,” said Judy. “Lack of money causes a lot of stress. It’s a very ‘macho’ society with high levels of domestic violence. Some kids end up in gangs.”

Since 2004, Caritas Australia has supported Mercy Family health Service’s (MFhS) Maternal and Infant health Program in Cerro Candela. The program, focused on at-risk mothers and children

under five, is guided by the philosophy that health is a right, not a privilege. In protecting the dignity of women and children through healthcare, MFhS is working to promote justice and a spirit of peace in Judy’s shanty town.

“I was attending health talks and the health promoter suggested we take our children for a check-up at MFhS. They then referred my daughter Vania, 3, who was anaemic and with parasites, to the childcare centre,” said Judy.

MFhS’ childcare centre engages children in stimulating activities, and provides meals and healthcare. Parents are linked with local services, encouraged to attend preventative health talks and to visit MFhS’ health professionals.

“Vania has become more alert and stimulated. her behaviour has improved a lot.” MFhS has trained 25 community health promoters to identify children at risk, conduct home visits, and run health talks. Last year, more than 2,500 people attended these talks.

“Thanks to the health promoters we’ve learnt a lot about preventing and minimising illness; I’ve learnt how to care better for my children. Many people have hope now that change is possible and realise they have to do their part to make it happen,” said Judy.

Today, Cerro Candela is a healthier community and Judy imagines a brighter future. “I had problems with my oldest son. he eventually went back to school and I decided I’d go with him. now I’m starting secondary! A million thanks to people in Australia. your help is a blessing from God for us.”

DONatEYOUR DOnAtIOn tO PROJECt COMPAssIOn ALLOWs Us tO COntInUE OUR WORK REFLECtIvE OF tHE LIFE OF JEsUs CHRIst, AnD sHAPED BY tHE tRADItIOn OF CAtHOLIC sOCIAL tEACHInG PRInCIPLEs, In OvER 30 COUntRIEs AROUnD tHE WORLD.

Judy looks at her impoverished environment and reflects on the future of her eight children. She hopes to give them a better future.

Judy and Vania inside their house which is reached by climbing 246 steps up a steep hill. The house is very basic with no running water or sewerage, and the roof is made of plastic.

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WEEk six: indigEnOus ausTraLia

AUDREY’s stORY Audrey is a Bardi woman from Djarindijin, a remote community 200km north of Broome in Western Australia. As is sadly true of many Australian Indigenous communities, the rates of deadly ‘lifestyle’ diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke and kidney failure run high in Djarindijin.

Just a few years ago the diabetes rates in Audrey’s community were well over 30%, many times higher than the Australian average.

With your solidarity, Caritas Australia works in partnership with the unity of First People of Australia (uFPA) to run a holistic, community-owned Diabetes Management and Care Program in Djarindijin and eight other remote

communities across the Kimberley region. With an emphasis on the dignity of wellness, the program strives to prevent diseases like diabetes and to improve healthcare across these vulnerable communities.

Audrey and her husband first heard about the program in 2005 when uFPA’s staff visited her children’s school. Audrey

was eager to support her family’s health and on learning about the wellness initiative, she decided to do her part to make her community a healthier one.

“Aboriginal people die too young from diabetes – it is important to stop this,” Audrey told us. “There are lots of people with diabetes here but before, people didn’t know about it.”

Audrey encouraged families to attend an initial community health assessment and many adults and children were found to be overweight – a significant risk factor for chronic diseases. The assessments were a challenging new step for the community but with Audrey’s support, uFPA welcomed families on a journey towards wellness.

In partnership with local Aboriginal communities, uFPA trains volunteer carers, like Audrey, who help their communities deal with and prevent ‘lifestyle’ diseases like diabetes. Audrey now encourages families in Djarindijin to make preventive lifestyle and dietary

changes, as well as enhancing the quality of life for those people already affected by diabetes.

All nine communities supported by uFPA have seen sustained behaviour changes, including edible community gardens, community cooking classes, school breakfast programs, and diabetes and nutrition education. Increasingly, community stores are stocking healthy food choices and people are embracing the leisure and sports initiatives.

Through a consistent local presence and culturally-appropriate initiatives, uFPA has built trusting relationships with remote communities, and helped bridge the gap with mainstream medical, government and educational services.

During Djarindijin’s most recent health assessment not a single new case of diabetes was recorded – an enormous credit to the partnership of uFPA and the community.

“now people are looking after themselves,” said Audrey. “But diabetes is still a big challenge. We’re trying to slow things down by drinking water and eating less sweets and takeaway. Thank you for bringing this program to our community.”

Together, we are reducing the gap in health status between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians.

LEaRN YOUR SUPPORT FOR PROJeCT COMPASSION ALLOWS CARITAS AUSTRALIA TO CONTINUe PARTNeRING WITH COMMUNITIeS TO eNHANCe THeIR HUMAN DIGNITY AND CAPACITY, SO THeY CAN ReSPOND TO THeIR OWN NeeDS.

Djarindijin is a remote community 200km north of Broome in Western Australia.

Caritas Australia and Unity of First People of Australia (UFPA) run a holistic, community-owned Diabetes Management and Care Program in Djarindijin and eight other remote communities across the Kimberley region. The program includes edible community gardens.

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“ABORIGInAL PEOPLE DIE tOO YOUnG FROM DIABEtEs – It Is IMPORtAnt tO stOP tHIs” – AUDREY

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could enable a vulnerable community in Zimbabwe to access clean drinking water by rehabilitating their local borehole

could provide a year of transport to and from school for all Burmese students at two community-based learning centres on the Thai-Burma border

could train a community carer in a remote Indigenous Australian community to strengthen families’ capacity to prevent and manage ‘lifestyle’ diseases like diabetes

could extend a ‘train the trainer’ initiative, enabling one more health promoter to work with marginalised communities in Peru

could equip a volunteer with skills to help protect communities from displacement in the Philippines

could enable a vulnerable family in Timor Leste to receive a goat to raise and breed

could supply 3 chickens for a family to participate in a ‘chicken pass’ in Zimbabwe

could empower 20 parents in Peru to improve their family’s health by attending a preventative health talk

could provide one year’s supply of text books for a Burmese student in a community-based learning centre on the Thai-Burma border

could empower 25 conflict-affected families in Timor Leste to improve their nutrition, food supply and income by attending training sessions on sustainable cropping and animal-raising

AuTuMn 2012 | 11

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card number

signature date

before payments commence, caritas australia will provide you with a full service agreement and confirmation of your details regarding this arrangement. Payments will be deducted on 27th of the month. if this is not a normal business day, payment will be deducted on the next normal business day.

i would not like to receive information about the work of caritas australiaPrivacy Statement: the information provided by you will only be used for the purpose of giving you information about ‘hopegiver’ and the activities of caritas australia.

Please post or fax the completed form to Caritas AustraliaPlease fax back to 1800 887 895 or post to Caritas Australia, GPO Box 9830, sydney nsW 2001.

Direct debit option i/we authorise Caritas Australia (user id 064 695) to debit the above mentioned amount from my/our

account on 27th of each month at the financial institution identified below. Acting on my/our instructions the user may, by prior arrangement and advice to me/us, vary the amount for future debits.

Financial institution name & branch

bsb account no

account name

signature date

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– M

Gd

Yes, I will become a and donate monthly…

Become a online www.caritas.org.au/hopegiver

Your detailsdonor number (if known)

name Ms Miss Mrs Mr or other ___________

address

suburb state Postcode

Phone Parish

email

amount: $35 $45 $65 other $: (minimum $10)

i would like to receive information about including caritas australia in my Will

Continue your pledge to fight poverty by joining our regular giving program and become a .

Your regular support as a allows Caritas Australia to commit funds and resources to community projects worldwide. We are able to plan more efficiently and ensure the long-term continuation of these initiatives.

Your contributions are automatically deducted from your credit card or bank account and you receive only one receipt at the end of the financial year. This means maximum funds can be committed to future projects and less goes towards administration.

See previous page for some examples of how little it takes to make a big difference.

Beyond Project Compassion

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