The money donated to Caritas will be used to assist refugee children in East Africa who have recently fled from the violence in South Sudan. Photo: Supplied.
Students from Mercy College recently raised $500 as part of their Christian Service Learning (CSL) program to support young people from refugee backgrounds, in what was named the ‘Salem Project’.
With the word ‘Salem’ meaning ‘welcome’ in Arabic, the Salem Project began after a group of Year 11 students wanted to do more as part of their Christian Service for the school, particularly for people from refugee backgrounds
They later met with Director of Caritas Australia’s Perth Office, Deacon Paul Reid and Justice Educator for Western Australia, Anita Finneran, together with Director of the West Australian Catholic Migrant & Refugee Office (WACMRO), Deacon Greg Lowe to present a cheque to Caritas Australia.
The money donated to Caritas will be used to assist refugee children in East Africa who have recently fled from the violence in South Sudan.
Mawien Deng, William Tshongo, Mamoun Bashir, Mahdi Slim, Ahmed Al Burkat raised $500 for Caritas. Photo: Supplied.
Deacon Greg Lowe, who suggested that the current refugee initiative by Caritas would be a good place to start when approached by CSL Coordinator Karen Wilson for advice, said at the heart of the good work done by the students lies the call to help others in need.
“In the Gospel of Matthew (25:35-40) Jesus Himself calls us to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and welcome the stranger among other works of mercy.
“That call rings true even today. Our Christian calling invites us to walk in the footsteps of Our Lord in the knowledge that whatever we do unto the least of our brothers and sisters, we do unto Christ Himself,” Deacon Lowe said.