Transcript Document

LENT CALENDAR
FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Have you got the Project Compassion
2015 Lent calendar poster on your
classroom wall?
Each day has a specific action that you
can take linked to the Project
Compassion stories.
In this PowerPoint, you can delve into
these actions in greater detail.
Join us as we use the calendar to
Learn, Act and Pray for the people and
communities featured this year.
.
1ST WEEK OF LENT
to return to
4TH WEEK OF LENT
3RD WEEK OF LENT
2ND WEEK OF LENT
Click
this slide
5TH WEEK OF LENT
Click
to move to
the next slide
6TH WEEK OF LENT
Click the number
corresponding to
today’s date.
Monday
16th
Feb
God blesses all humans with the gift of food. But over 800 million of our
brothers and sisters around the world do not have the resources they
need to access food. Resources like land, seeds, water, training or
income. We all have the right to food. We all depend on others for the
food we eat. So we can all share the goal of a fairer food system. We
are part of the system- which means we have the power to change it.
16th
Monday
Feb
Project Compassion 2015 throws a
spotlight on food, focusing on the ways that
Caritas Australia is working with vulnerable
and marginalised people to establish
sustainable food sources. Each story
explores a different aspect of securing
‘Food for life’. By participating in Project
Compassion you are partnering with
communities to build a better future.
Lord, we thank you for food.
Help us to work together so
that everyone has a fair share
of the food they need to live.
Amen.
Decide how you will support
Caritas Australia’s Project
Compassion during Lent. The
Fundraising book has lots of
ideas!
Shrove Tuesday
17th
Feb
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
The name Shrove Tuesday comes
from the custom of ringing the
“shriving bell” to call people to church
to be “shriven”. This means to
confess their sins at the beginning of
Lent. The tradition of eating
pancakes on Shrove Tuesday started
as a way to use up rich foods such as
eggs, milk, and sugar before fasting
commenced for the 40 days of Lent.
For people like Eric and Ma, eggsone of the core ingredients of a
pancake- are not only a source of
nutritious food, but also a way to earn
money.
Eric and Ma in front of their hen house.
17th
Shrove Tuesday
Feb
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Lord, help us to enjoy and give
thanks to you for all that we have.
Remind us to live humbly and to
remember those people who do not
have what we so easily access
every day. Help us to think and love
like Jesus Christ. Amen.
Host a Pancake Flip!
Watch the Project
Compassion 2015
Introduction film.
Eric and Ma in front of their hen house.
18th
Feb
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Ash Wednesday
During Lent, many people may fast and pray in solidarity with our
brothers and sisters who are vulnerable to poverty. Some people may
also choose to give up certain foods or to eat more simply to challenge
a habit of over-indulgence. This can help us focus more on God. The
temporary experience of hunger and tiredness is also reminder of the
daily experience of many people around the world.
18th
Feb
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Ash Wednesday
Lord, we pray for our school
community. May we see Lent and
Project Compassion as an
opportunity to look beyond ourselves
to the needs of others. Amen.
Use the Caritas
Australia Ash
Wednesday liturgy
in your School or
Parish.*
19th
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Thursday
Feb
Fiji islands
We are all dependent on the gracious gift of food. Food is produced by
God through the wonderful richness of creation; sunlight that causes
plants rooted in soil and water to grow. But the way that food is sold
and bought around the world has resulted in many people being unable
to afford what God has given us freely. At the launch of Caritas
Internationalis ‘Food for All’ campaign in 2013, Pope Francis invited us
“to make space in your heart…respecting the God-given rights of
everyone to have access to adequate food.”
19th
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Thursday
Feb
Fiji islands
Lord, help us to remember how
much God loves us, so that we
can love each other more freely.
Help us to give cheerfully so that
we can all have a fair share of
what we need to live. Amen.
How will your community put
compassion into action this
year? Plan how you can raise
funds and awareness for
Caritas Australia’s Project
Compassion this Lent.
World Day of Social Justice
Friday 20th
Feb
The UN World Day of Social Justice aims to encourage people to
support the work of the international community to end poverty,
promote employment and decent work, gender equality, and justice for
all. The theme for Project Compassion this year is ‘Food for Life’. Each
of the six Project Compassion stories demonstrates how our
partnerships allow us to contribute to global social justice and work for
sustainable change. Your commitment to Project Compassion is your
response to this vision and the biblical call to work for social justice.
World Day of Social Justice
Lord, you have called us to stand
and commit ourselves
wholeheartedly to the good of all
people. We give thanks for all the
opportunities we have had in our
lives to learn and develop the gifts
you have given us. Amen.
Friday 20th
Feb
Be a voice: Visit the
Caritas Australia
advocacy ‘Food for
All’ page.
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Monday
Eric and Ma holding their letter writing books from the
Married Couples course.
23rd
Feb
Fiji is popular place for a tropical
holiday. But one third of Fiji’s population
live in poverty. There are not enough
jobs for everyone, especially young
people. Nutritious foods are in short
supply which has led to many people
having health problems like diabetes.
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 Tutu Rural training centre
(Tutu) 25 years ago. Tutu is Caritas
Australia’s partner. At Tutu Eric and Ma
learnt how to run a farm and work
together better as a married couple.
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Monday
23rd
Feb
Eric and Ma holding their
letter writing books from the
Married Couples course.
Lord we thank you for the
opportunities we have to learn
and grow. May you bless the
work of the trainers and
participants at the Tutu Rural
training centre. Amen.
Watch the Primary
School Fiji
Feature film.
Explore the online
interactive Global
Family Table.
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Tuesday
24th
Feb
Eric and Ma with another couple
in the Married couple’s course.
Over 25 years, Eric and Ma built a house and established a profitable and
sustainable farm amongst the coconut trees. They have learned to work
together to build a strong family. “Before the course, we used to have
plans, but different plans, different ideas and we had different ways. But
once we’d followed this six month course in Tutu, we came to realise that
we two are one” says Eric. Working together well helped them establish a
sustainable food source for themselves and their children.
24th
Feb
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Tuesday
Even after over 30 years of marriage,
Eric and Ma still write each other a
love-letter every day: something they
learned on their course at Tutu. They
also regularly return to Tutu to teach
other couples how to work together to
build a life.
.
Lord, thank you that you have blessed us
with each other, to live and work and
worship together. We thank you also for
the gift of family and pray that you help all
mothers, fathers, sons and daughters
around the world. Amen.
Write a letter to
someone you care
about, telling them
why they are
special.
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Wednesday
25th
Feb
Eric and Ma. in front of their
vegetable garden.
Fiji is made up of over 300 islands and rural communities can be very
isolated, making consistent access to fresh fruit and vegetables difficult
unless they are grown at home or locally. Before Tutu, Eric worked hard
on the family farm, but his labour was unprofitable. “We did not have the
proper know-how, how to manage a farm and to work a farm, manage our
time and what to plant and how to plant, till we made the course in Tutu.”
At Tutu, Eric and Ma learnt about planting fruit and vegetables. Almost
everything they eat comes from their farm.
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Wednesday
25th
Feb
Eric and Ma. in front of their
vegetable garden.
Lord, help us to find joy in living simply,
close to family and community. Help us
to learn and be knowledgeable in the
produce of the soil and observant to the
ways of nature. Amen.
Do you grow any of
your own food? Do you
know how? Plant a
simple fruit, vegetable
plant or herb plant.
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Thursday
26th
Feb
Fruit and vegetables from
Eric and Ma’s farm.
In Fiji, and many countries in the Pacific region, there is a high rate of
non-communicable diseases such as heart disease and obesity, which
has been linked to malnutrition. Malnutrition is about the lack of
adequate nutrients to stay healthy. “Before we went to Tutu, we just
cooked whatever popped up. I didn’t even bother about if it was
nutritious or not,” says Ma. ”After the course, I’m more aware of the
real needs for the family... eating fresh vegetables and fresh fruits.”
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Thursday
26th
Feb
Fruit and vegetables from
Eric and Ma’s farm.
God, we recognize your desire for all people to
have not just sufficient calories to eat, but
quality foods that can aid their growth and
human development. We pray that all others
like Eric and Ma in remote communities may
enjoy increased access to nutrient rich foods.
Amen.
Swap any
unhealthy
snacks for fresh
fruit or
vegetables.
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Friday
27th
Feb
Eric and Ma’s
seedling nursery.
Eric and Ma take great care of their farm, and appreciate the gift of
creation to sustain life. “At times just to be there with the plants, enjoy
the plants, seeing them grow. It’s beautiful” says Eric. Eric and Ma also
have a micro nursery which helps with food and income too. “It is a help
from Tutu. We started off generating seeds for our own planting, for our
own garden, but once people came to know about this and the new way
of germinating seeds, it’s very new to people. So, a lot of people got
interested in it and they come and buy,” says Eric.
Photo: Andrew Garrick and Andrew Morrison
Friday
27th
Feb
Eric and Ma’s
seedling nursery.
Lord, we pray in gratitude and praise. You
were there at the beginning of all things,
shaping our world and preparing it for us.
Help us to be caretakers of your gifts,
protecting the land, and ready to share with
all in need. Amen.
Investigate and
create a composting
plan for all your food
scraps.
Photo:Francois Therrien
Monday
Mariama and her daughter Fati.
2nd
March
This week we meet Mariama, a 29
year old single mother and her 2½ year-old daughter, Fati from Niger.
In Niger 50% of children under the age
of 4 suffer from chronic malnutrition.
This means they are sick because
they do not have enough food to eat.
Fortunately, Mariama was able to take
Fati to the Caritas supported Nutrition
centre, where she is receiving the
essential food and help she needs to
recover. Through the food and medical
care, as well as emotional support at
the centre, Mariama and Fati’s lives
have been transformed.
Monday
2nd
March
Lord, we pray today for all those like
Mariama and Fati suffering in the
food crisis of West Africa. We pray
that all those affected are able to
receive the life giving support and
assistance they need to grow, heal
and move forward in a life of dignity.
Amen.
Photo:Francois Therrien
Pray for peace in West Africa.
Watch the Niger Lenten
Story Insight film.
Mariama and her daughter Fati.
3rd
March
Photo:Francois Therrien
Tuesday
Health workers measure
children’s arms as part of the
treatment for malnutrition.
Mariama does the best she can for her 2½ -year-old daughter, Fati. “All
of us depend on my mother. We normally eat vegetables and some local
food made from maize flour. Our feeding rhythm depends on whether my
mother gets to sell her vegetables. My daughter eats what we adults eat,”
Mariama explains. However, Fati was often sick. “My child was getting
sick regularly, she was vomiting, had diarrhoea and excessive weight
loss. That is why I decided to go the nutrition centre,” Mariama says.
3rd
The work of the Nutrition Centre is vital.
Around 500 malnourished children are
admitted to the Nutrition centre each
week, 15 of them severely underweight.
“Those who come to the Centre are the
poorest of the poor. Some come from as
far as 140kms,” says Sister Francesca,
a staff member at the Nutrition centre.
Dear Lord, we thank you for the
blessings of food, water, shelter, family
and well-being. As we say “Give us
today our daily bread” we make that
prayer also for the millions who go
hungry every day. Amen.
March
Photo:Francois Therrien
Tuesday
Health workers measure children’s arms as part of the
treatment for malnutrition.
Host a Global Reality
Meal.
Explore the online
interactive Global
Family Table.
Photo:Francois Therrien
Wednesday
Fati receives plumpy nut at the Caritas supported
Nutrition centre.
4th
March
Staff at the Nutrition Centre care for
malnourished children like Fati, and
provide them with medical attention,
nutritional supplements and food so they
can recover and gain weight. The
nutritious food she is given is essential to
her recovery– helping her medicine to
work well, building her strength and
helping her be healthier so she can resist
disease. At the Centre, Fati receives
‘plumpy nut’, a high energy, peanut based
paste full of minerals and vitamins. “Fati
is lucky she has plumpy nut from the
nutrition centre,” says Mariama.
Wednesday
4th
March
Photo:Francois Therrien
Lord, thank you for the people who
care for the children who are unwell
and don’t have enough food. We
pray that many more children can
recover and grow healthier. Amen.
Have a meat-free meal and donate
the savings to Project Compassion.
Fati receives plumpy nut at the Caritas supported
Nutrition centre.
5th
March
Photo:Francois Therrien
Thursday
Mariama sells ‘kopto’- a
vegetarian stew, in her
village.
For Mariama’s family, earning an income is a serious challenge. This
affects their ability afford and acess food. “We do not grow any food for
ourselves as we have no farming land. All what we eat is bought from
the market and at times we take from my mother’s vegetable stock
destined for sale,” explains Mariama. However the centre is also
supporting Mariama for the long term. Mariama has taken a sewing
course, and will use her skills to earn an income, so that she and Fati
can look forward to a more secure, hopeful future.
5th
March
Photo:Francois Therrien
Thursday
Mariama sells ‘kopto’- a
vegetarian stew, in her village.
Father, we thank you for the courage, creativity
and enterprise of people like Mariama, as they
seek to develop skills for income generation.
We pray that peace may come to Niger, so that
all people may be given opportunities to work,
and to live a dignified life. Amen.
Challenge
yourself to have
no treats for one
day.
Photo:Francois Therrien
World day of Prayer
Mariama and Fati at the Caritas Australia supported
Nutrition centre.
Friday 5th
March
We all need nourishment for our
bodies, but also for our spirits,
especially in difficult times. “Most
children that come to us get cured and
this makes our joy. Some children that
come to our centre are in a very bad
state and some parents even lose
hope. It is our joy to see them well
again. We try our best as we believe
that injections alone are not enough but
we need to give and show them love.”
says the Director of the centre.
Through the material and emotional
support from the Centre, Mariama and
Fati have been deeply encouraged.
World day of Prayer
Friday 5th
March
Photo:Francois Therrien
Lord, we pray that you bless and
strengthen all those who travel to the
centre for assistance every day. Thank
you for the kindness shown by the
people working at the Nutrition centre.
We ask that you work in our hearts so
that we work together towards the
common good. Amen.
Mariama and Fati at the Caritas Australia supported
Nutrition centre.
Perform an act of kindness for
someone you know but don’t regularly
talk to.
Photo: Danielle Lyonne
Monday
Karen with her son and daughter.
9th
March
This week we meet Karen, a
single mother of six living in a
First Australian community. In
remote areas of Australia, limited
and expensive food options
increase poverty for some First
Australians. This also impacts on
the health of Karen’s family.
Karen enrolled at the Caritas
supported Centacare ‘Manage
your Income, Manage your Life’
program, and learnt the skills she
needs to be able to afford and
provide nutritious food for her
family.
9th
March
Photo: Danielle Lyonne
Monday
Karen with her son
and daughter.
Lord, we thank you for the support we find
in each other to help us in so many areas
of our lives. We pray your love may
continue to uplift and encourage all those
people living and working in First
Australian communities. Amen.
Host a Healthy Food
Market Day at your
school! *
Watch the Australia
Lenten Story
Insight film.
10th
March
Photo: Danielle Lyonne
Tuesday
Karen learnt to drive as part
of the Caritas Australia
supported Centacare
program.
In Central NSW, Karen was experiencing difficulties making ends meet
for her family and make her Centrelink payments stretch to pay for all the
essentials, including food and rent. “I was in a lot of debt and wasn’t
handling my money properly,” says Karen. Karen knew she needed help
with budgeting skills and more income to provide a better, more
nutritious diet for her family. She was able to develop these important
financial skills at the Caritas Australia supported Centacare program.
891 people in remote communities have
participated in the Centacare program
‘Manage Your Income, Manage Your
Life’. Food in remote communities can
often be very expensive and travel to
bigger towns can be difficult. So, as part
of the program, Karen also learnt to
drive which means she can access more
affordable food.
Lord, we ask that you help us to
work together to contribute to a
society that supports marginalised
people. Amen.
10th
March
Photo: Danielle Lyonne
Tuesday
Karen learnt to drive as part of the Caritas Australia
supported Centacare program.
Buy something from a local
grower today.
Explore the online interactive
Global Family Table.
11th
March
Photo: Danielle Lyonne
Wednesday
The Centacare
Food Bank.
Centacare also introduced Karen to the Food Support Program, known
as the Food Bank. This is where people on low incomes can buy food at
reduced prices. The Food Bank helps to ensure that communities are
not always so vulnerable to not having enough food. The Food Bank
also helps people with their budgets, by being able to purchase more
affordable food , without the need to travel far from home. “Having
access to the food [bank] saves money that can be spent on meat for
the week,” says Karen.
11th
March
Photo: Danielle Lyonne
Wednesday
The Centacare
Food Bank.
Lord, in Acts we read about how all the
believers shared everything they had. We
ask that you continue to transform us and
make us of one heart and mind, so that we
would be able to truly share our lives with
each other and live in solidarity. Amen.
Cook Karen’s quiche
recipe from the
Fundraising Booklet
for a family member
or friend.
12th
March
Photo: Danielle Lyonne
Thursday
Karen, working on her budget
with Centacare staff member
Lynda.
Karen hadn’t made the connection between good budgeting habits,
good food, good health and a better (less stressful) life. Through a
series of budgeting workshops and monthly budget planning sessions,
Karen gained the tools she needed to take control of her money, and
budget so she could provide regular, healthy meals for her family. “The
workers [at Centacare] gave me the confidence that I can help myself
with their support,” Karen says.
12th
March
Photo: Danielle Lyonne
Thursday
Karen, working on her budget
with Centacare staff member
Lynda.
Father God, thank you that Karen has
been encouraged to take control of her
life and use her new skills to provide for
her family. We pray that we also use our
gifts to help each other, and reflect Your
glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
How many people
can you feed for $5?
Hold a ‘$5 menu
creation’ competition
with your class.
13th
March
Photo: Danielle Lyonne
Friday
Karen preparing
Johnny cakes
with her son.
In 2004-5, Australia's Indigenous people were three times more likely to
be living with diabetes or high blood sugar levels than non-Indigenous
people. As well as helping to increase access to good food by helping
with financial skills, Centacare are educating First Australians like Karen
to make healthier food choices with nutrition and cooking workshops. A
tour through a supermarket with a dietician taught Karen to read food
labels, and introduced her to new foods that she could cook for her
family.
13th
March
Photo: Danielle Lyonne
Friday
Karen preparing
Johnny cakes
with her son.
Lord we come before you today, aware of the
healthy needs for so many in our communities,
country and world. Guide us towards better
health and give us the wisdom to identify those
you’ve placed around us to help each other. In
your name we pray. Amen.
Learn how to read
the nutrition label
on something you
eat today.
Photo: Stephen Kadlec
Monday
Sarita fishing with other members of the Fish Raising
program in the Kolkata Group.
16th
March
This week, we meet Sarita. Sarita is a
female farmer in Nepal. She is part of
the Fish Raising program supported by
Caritas Australia. Nepal is slowly
recovering from a 10 year war that
lasted from 1996-2006. Nepal also
experiences many natural disasters
that affect whole communities. Many
people are very poor, and survive by
farming small plots of land that grow
just enough food for their families.
Sarita’s small family farm simply
couldn’t support them. “With the
produce from the land we did not meet
our food and basic needs,” Sarita
explains.
16th
Monday
When Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas
Nepal started the Kolkata Fish Raising
Group in Sarita’s community eight years
ago, she was one of the first people to
join. The program works with men and
women in a remote village community to
turn a pond into a successful business
breeding and selling fish.
Lord, we ask that you please help
us work together to support our
brothers and sisters in Nepal. We
thank you for the success Sarita
and her community have had with
their fish raising business. Amen.
March
Photo: Stephen Kadlec
Cook and sell the Nepalese Fish
Skewers* to raise funds for Project
Compassion.
Watch the Nepal Lenten Story
Insight film.
Tuesday 17th
March
Photo: Stephen Kadlec
St. Patrick’s Day
Sarita with her family,
outside their house.
Life in Nepal can be difficult. One in four people have less than $1.25 a
day for all the things they need to look after themselves and their
families. Only 26% of women are able to read and write. Sarita attended
school until the eighth grade. This made her one of the most educated
women in her village. Sarita was enthusiastic about learning new skills
in the Caritas program. Caritas Nepal provided the group of eight men
and four women with a low-interest loan, training and equipment.
Tuesday 17th
March
Photo: Stephen Kadlec
St. Patrick’s Day
Sarita with her family,
outside their house.
Lord, we thank you for this program
that supports people in rural areas of
Nepal to be able to access food and
earn an income. Help us to learn
from Sarita’s community and work
towards the common good for all.
Amen.
Donate 50c for every year
of school you have
completed.
Explore the online
interactive Global
Family Table.
Photo: Stephen Kadlec
Wednesday
Sarita demonstrates some of the tools the fish
raising group uses.
18th
March
In Nepal, 42% of people are
unemployed and very few people have
the skills to develop new businesses.
Sarita says the Caritas program
“embraced the poorest of the poor like
us, gave us skills and supported us with
funds to invest and make something of
ourselves. We learned many things in
fish raising training. The business plan
development and management trainings
made us successful in undertaking this
enterprise effectively.” The men and
women in the group have been able to
share their skills and create a life-long
source of food and income.
Wednesday
18th
March
Photo: Stephen Kadlec
Lord, we thank you for programs that
provide opportunities for people who
are most in need. We thank you for
people who are dedicated to sharing
their knowledge to improve the lives of
others. Help us to share our knowledge
in a way that helps others today. Amen.
Sarita demonstrates some of the tools the fish
raising group uses.
Pray for someone you know who needs
paid employment.
Photo: Stephen Kadlec
National Ride2School Day
Australia
Thursday 19th
March
Sarita’s home
vegetable
garden.
The group leased a natural pond on the northern side of their village,
and with a huge amount of hard work and dedication, their business has
grown to become one of the most successful businesses supported by
Caritas Nepal. These days the group produce around 8,000 kg of fish
each year. “There is high demand for fish in our locality and also in
nearby markets,” says Sarita. “We are able to sell at a good price.” With
increased income, Sarita has been able to buy more land to grow rice,
vegetables and fruit. “We are food secure now,” says Sarita.
Photo: Stephen Kadlec
National Ride2School Day
Australia
Lord, we thank you for the wonderful dedication,
and success of the fish raising group in Nepal.
We give thanks that by working together with
each other and by caring for the earth, the
community has been able to improve their
access to nutritious food. Amen.
Thursday 19th
March
Sarita’s home
vegetable
garden.
Walk, Run, Swim
or Cycle in
solidarity and
host a Caritas Ks
event.
Photo: Stephen Kadlec
International Day of Happiness
Sarita placing a freshwater carp into the
community’s fish raising pond.
Friday 20th
March
Sarita’s community is now able to secure
a source of food for life and a healthy diet
that includes a lot of fish! “At least once a
week we have about 200-300 grams of
fish for each of our family. This is now
important access to protein nutrition for
our families,” says Sarita.
The income from the pond lease is used
to conserve surrounding forest and gravel
foundation has been laid for local roads
and the installation of lines for access to
electricity. “The roads are better now and
we can sell local produce more easily,”
explains Sarita.
International Day of Happiness
“I thank all Australians
for helping me and my
fellow community
members. Your support
and encouragement
has put the seeds of
change in us, and we
are glad to realize
success and escape
from poverty,” says
Sarita.
Photo: Stephen Kadlec
Friday 20th
March
Lord, thank you for the
gift of life and love that
you so generously give
us. Help us to be
increasingly generous
every day. We pray
that more communities
around the world are
able to secure a good
source of food every
day. Amen.
Host a fish themed dinner to celebrate the improvements in Sarita’s
community.
Photo: Drew Morrison
Monday
Cristian and his wife and son, in front of their house.
Monday 23rd
March
This week we meet Cristian, a 33
year-old farmer. Cristian lives with
his family in a remote village, high
in the Andes mountains in Peru.
Remote communities in Peru face
many challenges in accessing
food like not having enough
access to water or tools so that
crops can grow well.
Caritas Australia and its partner
Caritas Huacho have been
working together to help make life
easier for mountain farmers in
Peru.
Monday
Monday 23rd
March
Lord, please bless the land and all
those who work the land in remote
areas of Peru. Grant farmers like
Cristian abundant crops and bless
their families, and their futures.
Amen.
Photo: Drew Morrison
Some indigenous and rural
communities in Peru experience
much higher rates of poverty.
“When there were no rains we
suffered a lot, because sometimes
the fields would not produce.
Despite that we always had some
food.”
Find out about your local
community vegetable gardens.
Watch the Peru Lenten
Story Insight film.
Tuesday 24th
March
Photo: Drew Morrison
Tuesday
Cristian with Alberto from
Caritas Australia’s partner,
Caritas Huacho.
Cristian joined together with 14 other young farmers in his community.
They decided to ask Caritas Australia’s partner, Caritas Huacho for help
to learn better farming practices.
Cristian and the 14 other young farmers in his community participated in
the Rural Development Program. The program helped them secure an
unused plot of land in their village, then provided seedlings and
agricultural training.
Tuesday 24th
March
Photo: Drew Morrison
Tuesday
Cristian with Alberto from
Caritas Australia’s partner,
Caritas Huacho.
Lord, we thank you that you given us
each other. We ask that you bless
the work of Cristian’s community and
strengthen their hearts to continue
their work for the common good. May
we learn from their commitment to
each other. Amen
Congratulate a team or
group member for a great
achievement.
Explore the online
interactive Global
Family Table.
Wednesday 25th
March
Photo: Drew Morrison
Annunciation
of the Lord
Cristian’s father helps a
fellow farmer run a water
pipe down the hill.
Having access to water is a very important to grow nutritious food.
Cristian’s community always relied on rainfall to water their crops, but
when it did not rain, their crops did not grow well. Cristian and the other
farmers in the group received materials and training to build an
irrigation system to bring water closer to their fields. This means that
they can plant crops like peaches that demand consistent watering and
also sell for a higher price. This increases their income.
Wednesday 25th
March
Photo: Drew Morrison
Annunciation
of the Lord
Cristian’s father helps a
fellow farmer run a water
pipe down the hill.
Loving God, we thank you for water. Thank you
that is refreshes our bodies and that we can
use it grow food. Look in mercy on your
people living in dry lands, and struggling to
survive without access to safe drinking water.
Help us to use water wisely. Amen.
Donate $1 for
every tap
in your house.
26th
March
Photo: Drew Morrison
Thursday
Cristian picking
peaches from his
orchard.
There is a good market for the peaches that we grow, which sustains
our household. And cherimoyas (custard apples) which also have a
good price in markets, provide us with more income than the other
crops” says Cristian. Cristian and his family are now enjoying a
bountiful harvest of varied, nutritious fruits in their diet that also includes
regular staples like corn and potatoes. Their steadily increasing family
income is changing the family’s life for the better.
26th
March
Photo: Drew Morrison
Thursday
Cristian picking
peaches from his
orchard.
Lord, we thank you that Cristian and his
family and community are able to enjoy
a more diverse diet that includes
nutritious fruits. Amen.
Find out what fruits
are in season and
where they grow.
Enjoy some with a
friend.
27th
March
Photo: Drew Morrison
Friday
Cristian with his wife and
parents at the family
orchard.
One of Cristian’s favourite parts of the program has been being able to
work together for the common good with his neighbours. The farmers
have helped one another to learn and work better, and are now
beginning to reap the rewards of their efforts. “The land plot is my own
to manage, but it belongs to the community. We all work helping each
other. Here, this way in which we work is called aychamoa (eye-chamoa), which means, ‘giving each other a helping hand’,” says Cristian.
27th
March
Photo: Drew Morrison
Friday
Now, the 15 farmers and their
families can see a brighter future.
“On behalf of Peru and of all of those
who live here, I thank them
(Australians) immensely for their
help,” says Cristian.
Lord, thank you for the work of Caritas
Australia that enables Cristian and
others in his community to work together
to improve their lives. Amen.
Introduce yourself to,
spend time with, or
help out a neighbour
today.
Photo: Mie Cornoedus
Monday
Vinsen with his family, in front of their house.
30th
March
This week we meet Vinsen, a
farmer in West Timor, Indonesia.
Until five years ago, his farm had
always experienced predictable
weather, but since 2010 Vinsen’s
village has been hit by heavy rains
and strong winds, destroying
crops and killing livestock. Vinsen
realised that he needed to learn
some new ways of farming in
different kinds of weather. He
enrolled in the Sustainable
Agriculture Program supported by
Caritas Australia and run by local
partner Yayasan Mitra Tani
Mandiri (YMTM).
March
Changing weather patterns affect us all, but
there is significant evidence to suggest that the
poorest people of the world are the most
affected to the consequences of global climate
changes. Relying on predictable weather
patterns is important for farmers to be able to
grow a reliable source of sustainable food for
their families.
God of Creation, You created
night and day. You separated the
sea from the sky. Help us to
reconnect with the wonder of
your creation. Encourage us to
be responsible stewards of your
creation. Amen.
Host a sustainable ‘Second Time
Round’* stall at your school to
raise funds for Project
Compassion.
Watch the Indonesia Lenten
Story Insight film.
Photo: Mie Cornoedus
30th
Monday
31st
March
Photo: Mie Cornoedus
Tuesday
Vinsen helps Ignasius
with weeding in his
vegetable garden,
While weather was predictable in the past, it didn’t mean that farming
was easy or profitable for Vinsen. Farmers in Vinsen’s community also
experienced poor soil fertility and erosion. “In the past, we practised
shifting fields agriculture, working for two years in one field then moving
on,” says Vinsen. However Vinsen had no food security for his family,
which made him anxious about providing for the future. Through the
Sustainable Agriculture Program Vinsen learnt the skills to revive his
family’s food source.
31st
March
Photo: Mie Cornoedus
Tuesday
Vinsen helps Ignasius
with weeding in his
vegetable garden,
Lord, we thank you that Vinsen
and his community and leanring
new ways to look after the earth
and grow food for their families.
Amen.
Investigate what conditions and
how much water your favourite
fruit or vegetable needs to grow.
Explore the online interactive
Global Family Table.
1st
April
Photo: Mie Cornoedus
Wednesday
Vinsen working in the
vegetable garden with
another farmer.
One of the things Vinsen learnt about was vegetable farming. “At that
time, they [YMTM] came and brought vegetables seedlings,” says
Vinsen. Now his family consumes a variety of food, like corn, rice and
red potato. Farmers in Vinsen’s village also learnt to terrace their land.
This means they turned sloping land into a series of steps. This helps
stabilise hillsides and provides additional security from landslides. It also
helps prevent erosion, increase soil quality and catch valuable rainfall.
1st
April
Photo: Mie Cornoedus
Wednesday
Vinsen working in the
vegetable garden with
another farmer.
God of Love, inspire us to live simply and
in harmony with creation. Help us to learn
more about the earth and how to share it
with each other. Amen.
Please return your
Project Compassion
Box to your school or
parish.
2nd
April
Photo: Mie Cornoedus
Thursday
Men and women planting
seedlings together,
Caritas Australia’s partner, YMTM recognizes our role as stewards of
creation and teaches farmers a range of farming techniques that helps
protect the environment for the future. “I understand how to use organic
fertilizers and other environmentally friendly farming systems. I can look
after cattle well and I can grow vegetables for the family,” says
Vinsen. Through the program, farmers also learn to plant long term
crops and short life span crops like vegetables. This helps to make sure
there is always food to eat and sell, even in unexpected weather.
2nd
April
Photo: Mie Cornoedus
Thursday
Men and women planting
seedlings together,
God of Compassion, help us to live in solidarity
with our brothers and sisters around the world.
Help us to be responsible and thoughtful about
the way we treat the earth for future
generations. Help us to put people before
profit and ‘being’ before ‘having’.
Calculate your class
or school’s carbon
footprint.
3rd
April
Photo: Mie Cornoedus
Good Friday
Vinsen’s family
eating lunch.
In Indonesia,16% of the population lives on less than $1.25 a day. But
since the YMTM Program, Vinsen’s income has increased. “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.” I have a prosperous life, a very supportive family. For that I
work very hard,” says Vinsen. Thank you so much to the people of
Australia who have helped support YMTM.”
3rd
April
Photo: Mie Cornoedus
Good Friday
Vinsen’s family
eating lunch.
Lord we thank you for the improvements to food
security in Vinsen’s community. Help us
continue to share our strength with our global
neighbours, so they can live free from the
burden of poverty. Help us to respect and renew
the Earth. Amen.
Use the Caritas
Australia ‘Way of
the Cross’
PowerPoint* in
your School or
Parish.
Because we are part of one human family, we feel the
suffering and joys of our brothers and sisters near and
far. All the people you have met this Lent through the
Project Compassion 2015 stories, do not carry their
burden alone. Your support is an act of love and
compassion in faith and solidarity.
Lord,
Renew our commitment to challenge the causes of injustice.
Empower us to work together as one global community,
To find creative and just solutions to protect those most vulnerable
in our world,
Now and in future generations.
Amen.
Amen.
For more information please visit our website
www.caritas.org.au