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 Caritas Australia is
working around the world to
help people have food for life.
“I invite you to make
space in your heart…
respecting the God-given
rights of everyone to have
food.”
Adapted from Pope Francis, launch of the Caritas Internationalis ‘Food for all’ campaign,
2013
Eric and Ma live in Fiji. They joined in a Married Couples Course at the
Caritas Australia supported Tutu Rural Training Centre (Tutu) 25 years
ago. Now they have a farm where they grow and sell eggs, fruit and
vegetables.
“I think we were blessed to be part of the program in Tutu. Without Tutu
we wouldn’t be where we are now,” says Eric.
Mariama’s 2½ year old daughter, Fati
was sick from being hungry. So they
visited the Caritas Australia supported
Nutrition Centre to receive the food and
medicine Fati needs to get better.
“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 not acceptable
that there are so many hungry
children.”
Adapted, Pope Francis, Meeting with Students of Jesuit Schools, 2013.
Karen learnt the skills to
manage her money and
choose healthy, nutritious food
for her family at the Caritas
Australia supported Centacare
program.
Karen and her twins
preparing Johnny
cakes together.
“Now my kids eat
healthy and they’re
willing to try new
foods,” Karen says.
“I want them to be
healthy and strong.”
“The common good embraces
all. Those who are weak,
vulnerable, and most in need
deserve extra help.”
Adapted from ‘Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship’, U.S. Catholic Bishops,
2007.
Sarita has three children
and a husband. In 2007,
Sarita joined the Caritas
Australia supported
Kolkatla Fish Raising
Group. With the fish she
catches and sells, Sarita
can now share food with
her family and village.
“This program embraced the
poorest of the poor like us,
gave us skills and supported us
with funds to invest and make
something of ourselves,” says
Sarita.
“Ending hunger is […] the
right thing to do.”
Adapted from Mr. Graziano da Silva, FAO Director-General, UN Food and Agriculture
Organization, 2013.
Cristian is a 33 year old farmer who lives in a village in the Andean
mountains in Peru. He joined a Caritas Australia program to learn
how to water his fields better. Now he grows lots of fruit and has
more food and money for his family.
Cristian with his family, in front of their house.
“…we are improving ourselves, with the help of Caritas,” 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 joined a Caritas
Australia program so that he could learn new ways to grow food for his family
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 […] changing climate [is]
going to have serious effects
on farming and water.”
Adapted from 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 work of Caritas Australia.
We ask your blessing on vulnerable communities
around the world that they may be able grow, share
and have food for life.
We make this prayer in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Join us in Project Compassion and support
programs around that help people establish
sustainable food sources for life.
Picture credits
Fiji:
Andrew Garrick and Drew Morrison
Niger:
Francois Therrien
Australia:
Danielle Lyonne
Nepal:
Stephen Kadlec
Peru
Drew Morrison
Indonesia:
Mie Cornoedus
The Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development