On 15 February, Caritas Australia, the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church, will launch its annual Project Compassion appeal – one of Australia’s largest humanitarian fundraising and awareness-raising campaigns.
Each year, Project Compassion, which runs through the six weeks of Lent, brings hundreds of thousands of Australians together in solidarity with the world’s poor.
Caritas Australia CEO, Paul O’Callaghan, said Project Compassion was an extraordinary, ongoing demonstration of the faith, love and generosity of caring supporters, all in the name of justice and peace.
Last year, supporters, schools and parishes across Australia raised nearly $11 million to help the world’s poorest communities.
“Project Compassion has transformed the lives of many of the most marginalised people around the world,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“It’s thanks to the generosity of Australian supporters that Caritas has been able to work alongside communities over the long term in Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Latin America and with First Australians.”
The theme for this year’s Project Compassion is Food for Life which aligns closely with the Caritas Internationalis global initiative, One human family, food for all, aimed at ending hunger by 2025.
Pope Francis has said: “It is a well-known fact that current levels of production are sufficient, yet millions of people are still suffering and dying of starvation. This is truly scandalous”.
“Food is essential for all life and, while we may take it for granted in Australia, many of the world’s poorest people do not have a reliable food source, or enough money to buy food every day,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
This year, Project Compassion focuses on the ways in which Caritas Australia is working with partners around the world to empower vulnerable people to establish sustainable food sources and develop income streams for life.
In 2015, our six feature stories from Fiji, Niger, Australia, Nepal, Peru and Indonesia show what can happen when faith, commitment and hard work combine.
“Without food, the rest of life is impossible to contemplate. How can you plan for the future or educate your children when you fear you will be hungry?” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“I encourage you to be part of Project Compassion this year. Every individual, school, parish or community that embraces Project Compassion makes an enormous difference.”
During Lent, Australians are invited to raise funds for Project Compassion in a variety of ways.
This can be by direct donation, raising money through a range of events such as Caritas Ks which raises money by walking, running, cycling or swimming kilometres for compassion, or by hosting a Fish Friday event where people eat small fish meals and make a donation.
To donate to Project Compassion, or for fundraising ideas, go to www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion or phone 1800 024 413.