Transcript Document

The Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development
Help the world’s poorest people
access and develop sustainable food
sources for life.
Six countries. Six people.
Six communities.
This year’s Project Compassion
stories focus on the ways in
which Caritas Australia is
working around the world to
empower vulnerable people to
establish sustainable food
sources and develop income
streams for life.
“I invite you to make
space in your heart…
respecting the God-given
rights of everyone to have
access to adequate food.”
Pope Francis, launch of the Caritas Internationalis ‘Food for all’ campaign, 2013
Eric and Margaret (‘Ma’ for short!) live in a rural area of one of the islands in
Fiji. They enrolled in a Married Couples Course at the Caritas Australia
supported Tutu Rural training centre (Tutu) 25 years ago. They learnt how to
grow healthy food for their family.
“I think we were blessed to be part of the program in Tutu. Tutu opened a
new door for us. Without Tutu we wouldn’t be where we are now,” says
Eric.
Mariama’s 2½ year old daughter, Fati suffered
from malnutrition. They were assisted at the
Caritas Australia supported Nutrition Centre.
“I would like to say
a big thank you to
Australian people
for all their support
to the Nutrition
Centre,” Mariama
says. “Without
your help, the
Sisters would not
be able to support
us and poor
children like Fati.”
“Poverty in the world is a
scandal. In a world where
there is so much wealth, so
many resources to feed
everyone, it is unfathomable
that there are so many hungry
children.”
Pope Francis, Meeting with Students of Jesuit Schools, 2013.
When Karen learnt the skills
to manage her money and
choose healthy, nutritious
food. She paved the way for a
better future for her family.
Taking control of her
finances, and learning
a new range of lifeskills at the Caritas
Australia supported
program, has given
Karen the ability and
confidence to choose
foods for a healthier
life.
“While the common good
embraces all, those who are
weak, vulnerable, and most in
need deserve preferential
concern. A basic moral test for
our society is how we treat the
most vulnerable in our midst”
from ‘Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship’, U.S. Catholic Bishops, 2007.
Mother of three Sarita (34)
attended school until the
eighth grade, making her
one of the most well
educated women in her
village. However she
couldn’t grow enough food
for her family on her tiny plot
of land.
In 2007, Sarita joined the
Caritas Australia supported
Kolkatla Fish Raising Group.
With steady income from the Fish Raising Group, Sarita’s family has been
able to feel secure. They’ve bought additional farming land, diversified their
crops and now share a secure, sustainable source of healthy food for life.
“The fight against hunger must have
no colour, no religion, no political
affiliation. Ending hunger is absolutely
necessary if we want a truly
sustainable and more secure future. It
makes political and economic sense,
but morally and ethically, it is also the
right thing to do.”
Mr. Graziano da Silva, FAO Director-General, UN Food
and Agriculture Organization, 2013.
Cristian is a 33 year old farmer who lives in a remote Andean village in Peru.
His community lives a traditional life and farmers have always relied on the
rains to water crops. Through the Caritas Australia supported program,
Cristian improved irrigation to his fields and learned to grow and harvest
high value fruit crops that provide an income and a variety of food for life.
Cristian with his family in front of their house.
“We are less worried because we are focused on development, and with that
in mind we are improving ourselves, with the help of Caritas, on the best way
to produce,” says Cristian.
“I invite all of the institutions of
the world, the Church, each of
us, as one single human family,
to give a voice to all of those who
suffer silently from hunger, so
that this voice becomes a roar
which can shake the world.”
Pope Francis, launch of the Caritas Internationalis ‘Food for all’ campaign, 2013.
Vinsen is a farmer in West Timor, Indonesia. Vinsen enrolled in the
Sustainable Agriculture Program, supported by Caritas Australia and run
by local partner Yayasan Mitra Tani Mandiri (YMTM).
In the program Vinsen learned to grow sustainable crops in changing weather
patterns. “Before the program I was very anxious,” says Vinsen. “But now I do
not worry. There is always cassava, banana and taro in the garden. We will
not be hungry.”
“The adverse impacts of a
changing climate are going to
have serious effects in
agriculture and water sectors.
This would have an impact on
food security, nutrition, and
rural livelihoods.”
William Sutton, World Bank Lead Economist, 2013
Growing, choosing and
sharing sustainable
Food For Life
Prayer
Lord, we thank you for our daily bread.
Give us the strength to take action and help our brothers
and sisters around the world.
We thank you for the Caritas Australia partners who are
helping children, women and men who are the most
vulnerable to poverty establish sustainable food sources.
We ask your blessing on vulnerable communities around the
world that they may be able to grow, share and have food for
life.
We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Join us in Project Compassion and support
programs around the world that provide vulnerable
people with the skills and opportunities they need to
establish sustainable food sources for life.
Picture credits
Fiji:
Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Niger:
Francois Therrien
Australia:
Danielle Lyonne
Nepal:
Stephen Kadlec
Peru
Drew Morrison
Indonesia:
Mie Cornoedus
The Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development