In its 56th year, Project Compassion is one of Australia’s longest running appeals, and has been a long-standing Lenten fixture in parishes across Australia with its iconic donation boxes. In this time, Australians have raised millions of dollars for marginalised communities worldwide. Project Compassion 2021 was launched in Catholic schools in Western Australia on Tuesday, 16 February. By Amanda Murthy.
Margret is a vocational school teacher for deaf students in the Solomon Islands that suffered long-term water shortages and damage from Tropical Cyclone Harold. With Caritas Australia’s support, Margret’s school installed water tanks, repaired cyclone damage, implemented COVID-19 prevention measures, and is now planning to boost food security.
Jamila is a Rohingya refugee living in a camp in Bangladesh with her elderly mother and baby daughter. With support from Caritas Australia, and through Caritas Bangladesh, Jamila has access to emergency food, shelter, counselling, and vocational training to support her family.
Caritas Australia, the Catholic Church’s international aid and development agency, has appointed its first board of directors, a move dictated by the recent incorporation process commenced by the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference over a year ago – to foster improved accountability, transparency and governance practices.
More than 170,000 people have been affected by Typhoon Vamco, with around AUD$2.8 million of damage to agricultural land, which will take years to recover.
Athena Route, a Year 12 student at Mater Dei College in Perth, won the Caritas Australia Perpetual Trophy at the 2020 Angelico Exhibition for her artwork titled The Value of Intangible Memories.