By Rachel Curry
Attendees at Caritas Australia’s inaugural Women for the World (WFTW) luncheon have been inspired by the story of a young Filipino woman who went from collecting rubbish on the outskirts of Manila to studying for her Masters in Social Work.
Located at the stunning Matilda Bay Restaurant, the WFTW event brought together a diverse group of Western Australians to recognise and celebrate the extraordinary work of women worldwide, including Caritas Australia’s strong network of female supporters.
Approximately 80 attendees were privileged to hear the inspirational story of guest speaker Psyche Mae Asencio, whose family showed incredible strength and courage to transform their lives.
Miss Asencio grew up in challenging circumstances in a village in the Payatas just outside Manila, which served as a relocation site for squatter families.
When her parents first came to the area, they had few skills, no paid work, and were forced to pick through rubbish from the nearby garbage dump to survive.
“People were coming from the different provinces because we decided to come to the city to find good fortune, but unfortunately we didn’t have access to social services, which made our lives terrible,” she explained during her speech.
In 2004, the family started to participate in the Urban Renewal program run by Caritas Australia partners, the order of the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ).
The program enabled Miss Asencio to learn computer literacy, while her mother gained craft skills to make sellable products.
“The FCJ brought change in our community. They started to train the women, enhance their skills and provide them with starter kits so that they could start their living,” she said.
“What Caritas did is not just about monetary assistance… When my mother earned, it gave her greater dignity. Her earnings helped us to go to school.”
Miss Asencio is now a qualified social worker and is employed by the Philippines Government in the area of domestic violence prevention.
The 25-year-old joked that she was inspired to the profession by her mother, who was a “frustrated social worker”.
On a more serious note, she said she felt a duty to help people who were experiencing poverty like she did.
“I decided to work with women and children because I’m wearing their shoes, I feel what they feel and no one can do that except me,” she said.
“It’s very difficult, but the FCJ sisters taught me to be a giver rather than a taker. They raised me to give what you have and to just keep going.”
Miss Asencio also called violence “the greatest world equaliser”.
“Even if you are rich, you can experience it, but women and children in poverty are much more vulnerable to different forms of abuse,” she said.
“The less money you have, the less power and the fewer choices (you have), so what we are doing now is to help them to get out of abusive relationships.”
Hosted by entrepreneur Tenille Bentley, the WFTW luncheon also included drinks and canapés on arrival, a delicious two-course meal, a silent auction and a raffle, with one lucky attendee winning a weekend getaway to Sydney.
All auction items and prizes were generously donated to Caritas Australia and all funds raised will go towards the Catholic agency’s aid and development programs.
Caritas Australia’s Fundraising and Promotions Officer in Western Australia, Natalie Weir, said the WFTW event, which was also held in Melbourne and Sydney, was an important addition to the calendar.
“Women hold an important and influential role in the home and in the fabric of our society, yet 70 per cent of the world’s poor are women,” she said.
“By bringing together those who are passionate about social justice and by utilising their networks, we can help fight poverty, promote justice and equality.”
Click Here to find out more about Miss Asencio and the work of Caritas Australia partners in the Philippines.