Personally witnessing the poverty of people in the southern region of India has inspired Morley parishioner Maggie Box to establish RESTORE, a project that will offer Perth Catholics the chance to help improve the living conditions of those existing in substandard housing.
“When I visited this area with my son Matthew a number of years ago we were appalled by what we saw, which was a good thing, because it motivated us to become involved in the alleviation of poverty,” Mrs Box told The Record.
This is not the first project developed by Mrs Box, who, along with friends, established Mission Partners Morley in 1988 and has been involved in successful overseas initiatives such as the establishment of small businesses and the building of an orphanage.
“RESTORE has been renovating homes in India for several years now and more recently in Myanmar,” Mrs Box said.
“But we are looking to increase our influence by teaming with like-minded people who will be able to follow the progress of individual projects.”
The initiative seeks groups or individuals to “adopt a house” and hold either a one-off or monthly event to raise funds for their project.
This could take the form of hosting a morning or afternoon tea, lunch, evening dinner or barbecue, where those involved could learn or be updated on the progress of their particular mission.
“It takes the form of a ‘Domestic Blitz’ approach,” Mrs Box explained.
“The group would be given a photo of the house before restoration begins and would be provided with details of the family involved such as occupations, size, health, schooling and living conditions. On completion a double-sided ‘before/after’ photo would be provided.”
Funds raised would be used for improvements such as the mending of leaking roofs, concreting dirt floors, weather proofing walls and adding windows, rooms or toilets to one-roomed dwellings.
Mrs Box said all projects were overseen by the Marthandam Integrated Development Society, a Catholic organisation based in southern India.
“Our current aim is to renovate 51 houses, with costs ranging from $636 to $1,727,” Mrs Box said.
“By becoming involved with one specific project the experience becomes personal and donors’ hearts will be touched.
“They are also wonderful gifts for people who have to exist on two dollars a day”.
Mrs Box said she would be available to encourage and inform groups throughout the project if required and explained that Mission Partner would be able to supplement costs if necessary to ensure all projects can be completed.
There would also be an opportunity for donors to visit the renovated house upon completion.
“Many people have never seen what I have seen and are never likely to visit a slum and I would like to change that by inviting them into this project,” she said.
“I know it is ambitious, but nothing is impossible with God”.
To become involved in RESTORE or for more information, contact Maggie Box on 9272 8263 or 0438 946 621 or email margaretbox7@icloud.com