By David Chua
THE Bunbury Diocese contributed $83,651.45 to Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion drive.
The funds have arrived at a critical moment for Caritas, which is currently racing to meet the Millennium Development Goals set by the United Nations, a global action plan to achieve the eight anti-poverty goals by their 2015 target date.
Ray Lowe of Caritas’ Bunbury office said that while people are becoming more aware of the global poverty crisis due to Caritas’ work and the media, “we are five years out from the deadline and many of the goals are still far out of reach.”
He said the 12 January earthquake that devastated Haiti last year also made people more aware of how many people are affected by poverty and global situations.
“I think it’s reassuring that older churchgoers can see more young people active in the Church. Also, when young people visit schools it reinforces the work that teachers do in schools. It affirms what the teachers say,” he said.
“The young and old have to work hand in hand together.”
He also urged people to volunteer to promote Caritas’ Young ambassador pilot programme in WA, which involves education, fundraising and advocacy.
For more information call Caritas 1800 024 473 or visit www.caritas.org.au/globalgifts.