MARIST SM AUSTRALIA · it will take a little more financial assistance to get the end result. I think we can do it. + = YODIFEE-LAVALLA (now known as Marist Solidarity Cambodia) is

SPRING QUARTER …

MMC Project Frame-Work

Caring Love - Quality of Life

2012 London Paralympics

Redefining disability

MMC Project Overview

Disability and Disadvantage: Social, Mental and Physical

Religious Sisters reaching out

Mother & Child Projects - Agdao, Davao, Philippines

November - Remembrance of our deceased Loved Ones.

MARIST SM AUSTRALIA

Australian Marist Mission Centre (MMC)

Marist Fathers International Mission Fund (MFIM)

Australian Marist Centre Overseas Aid Fund (AMCOA)

Caring Love & Quality of Life

MARIST MISSION NEWSLETTER, Spring - September 2012 Vol. 63, No.3

Dear Friends and Mission Partners,

Very few of us have heard of Ahmed Kelly

or his Mum. He came 4th in his event at the

recent London Paralympics. In this era of

professional sport, that would have been the

end of the story. No prize for coming second.

But this is the Paralympics. How refreshing

the joyful participation, appreciation and

support, even for opponents. Londoners and

Athletes, to their credit recognized the heroics

beneath every performance. Like springtime,

Ahmed Kelly and our athletes blossomed in a

London autumn, unburdened by Media hype,

public expectation and inflated egos.

Their humble stories, the challenges they

overcame, made us proud of these genuinely

elite young Australians.

There is an irony just beneath the joyful

celebration of their achievements. Many of

these young Australians could have been

aborted on the grounds that their new life

in the womb might possibly be affected by

physical handicap, genetic problems or a

mental defect. What a loss to Australia!

Ahmed, for example, was born with severe

disabilities caused by chemical weapons in

Iraq that left him with stunted limbs, no

hands, forearms, lower legs or feet. He and

his brother were abandoned on the doorstep

of Mother Teresa’s orphanage in Baghdad.

An unpropitious start to life but then came a

wonderful miracle of caring love that trans-

formed disability into outstanding ability.

They were adopted by a truly remarkable

Australian lady, Moira Kelly, and brought to

Melbourne in 2000. Her love made her sons,

champions in every golden sense of the word.

Elite ? Certainly. Yes, it just may be time to

redefine what is meant by ’quality of life.’

MMC Newsletters remind us of other

‘medal winners in life’ who don't make news.

Your generosity to Marist partner programs in

China, Thai-Burma, Cambodia, Bangladesh,

and the Solomons helps other youngsters who

need our caring love to blossom into winners

with a spirit akin to Ahmed’s.

Thanks for making that support

possible. God bless,

Fr Kevin Stewart SM

HONG KONG

THAI-BURMA

BANGLADESH

FIJI IS.

CAMBODIA SOLOMON IS. AFRICA

CHINA

VENEZUELA

COOK IS.

EAST TIMOR BRAZIL

PARTNERING DISADVANTAGED COURAGEOUS PEOPLE

Any society that wishes to be healthy needs to increasingly value disability and non-disability alike !

MMC’s partner programs in the Thai-Burma Border Refugee Camps address SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE,

a disability that arises directly from the trauma of literally being an unwanted no-body in a no-man’s land.

There are thousands of young people in these Refugee Camps who fled violence, murder, rape and pillaging of

their villages by the Burmese military. Some have been in the Camps for more than 10-20 years, others were

born there. Each child and youth has a sad story to tell. Self-pity is rare. Survival is a healthy reality check.

MMC’s priority is to provide safe havens (hostels) on the Thai-side of the border in three camps. Mae La, Mae

La Oon, Maera Moo. From there, children are protected and continue their education. All attend school. Life

runs on a ‘family model’ with older youth caring for the younger. It is a case of growing up fast.

Although there is a small easing of tensions with the reforms in Burma,

most refugees still retain a deep distrust of the military and resist attempts

to forcibly return them home. In the Camps all our children attend school.

Three students from Maera Moo began their online course with Australian

Catholic University this September. Like getting to the moon, it’s a big

step for them, a smaller step for humanity. They still need our help.

Some of our Camp leaders have relocated to receiving countries.

MMC is budgeting $75,000 this year for Marist Karen Mission.

Refugee Camps

Marist Ranong

‘DIFFERENT-ABILITY’ SPRING ‘WISH LIST’

DISABILITY 2012

Programs you

generously support

strive to lift the

quality of life of

Women, Youth and

Children challenged

by physical, mental

& social disadvantage

patiently helping each

of them, one at a time,

a day at a time ....

Who knows….

2016 Paralympics... ?

YODIFEE: 2016 here we come….

Marist Mission Ranong (MMR), also in Thailand, addresses social disability/disadvantage affecting Burmese

migrant families in Ranong, (where the tip of Burma touches Southern Thailand). Burmese migrate to Ranong

for basically the dirty jobs. They are vulnerable to all sorts of harassment. They exist with many restrictions on

their freedom. Military check-points are on watch for them. Children are not easily welcomed in Thai schools.

MMR runs health (HIV/Aids) and education (adult/child literacy) programs for the Migrant Burmese families.

The programs have reached the stage of development that it makes strategic sense to integrate them into a single

facility surrounded by Burmese Community housing. However, together with prayer and land (purchased by us),

it will take a little more financial assistance to get the end result. I think we can do it.

+ + =

YODIFEE-LAVALLA (now known as Marist Solidarity Cambodia) is a wonderful

program of special Education and Employment for Youth with Disabilities. 206 students

are in the formal schooling programs and 450 students in the community-based program

with smaller numbers involved in livelihood skills and small business projects.

$50,000 from MMC for 2013 is the budget for this special Marist project.

LaValla empowering young women

YODIFEE

employment

skills training and

small business

ACU Burmese Graduates 2012 Marist Ranong Diplomas in Computer Studies Dining at Villa Maria YODIFEE

Dear Sister Abiola,

I belong to a small group of people called

the “Wheezy Walkers” who meet once a

week to walk together. Most of us suffer

from chronic lung problems, and battle daily

with difficulties in breathing. Many of us

are on oxygen permanently and could not

manage without it, even for short periods.

When our members learned of the Sisters

in Nigeria hoping to obtain oxygen equip-

ment to help save lives in their little clinic,

our quiet response was simple: immediate

unquestioning generosity and sympathy.

It is therefore, with great pleasure that

I offer this donation on behalf of all the

“Wheezy Walkers”. Judy

James Parker, the first lay Catholic chaplain - coordinator of the 14th

Paralympic Games spoke of his time working with Paralympian Athletes.

My experience of the Paralympic Village...it is a sacred place. While the

village is strewn with wheelchairs, crutches, bodies of every shape and size,

there is a vibrant tangible passion for life, that not even the greatest city could

boast. " Joy in the Village is palpable”.

It is a place where everyone is celebrated and honoured whether medallist

or not, and each person is in service of their neighbour.

What is astounding is that Britain enabled the eyes of the world to be opened

to the giftedness and potential of those with disabilities through its hosting of

the Paralympic Games. ..Games aside, any society that wishes to be healthy

needs to value disability and non-disability equally". (Cath News media)

The 2012 LONDON PARALYMPICS - a sacred place celebrating Life

THANKS In our last Newsletter, we made an urgent

appeal for an Electrical Oxygen Converter and

the establishment of a blood bank in a small

clinic run by African Sisters serving 3,541

Children and Mothers each year.

Your response was tremendous. The said

equipment has been brought, paid for and

installed, plus funds for some other needs.

Our local ‘Paralympian’ “Wheezy Walkers”

describe well the spirit of Caring Love your

generosity represents and made possible.

Together you made a real difference. Thanks.

Topu Honis Children Centre “Trying our best for a best second best”

VENEZUELA

MMC is a

signatory to the

Code of Conduct

of the

Australian

Council for

International

Development

regarding values,

ethics and best

practice.

Our Beloved Dead

In November, the month of the

Holy Souls, Marists remember

with gratitude in their Masses

our deceased friends, benefactors

and all who have died in Christ.

Enclosed envelopes are for names of

your loved ones or Mass offerings.

MARIST MISSION CENTRE

An Australian Marist Fathers’

outreach addressing poverty

and social injustice by raising

awareness and resources within

Australia for Marist networks

engaged in poverty alleviation

and social development of

youth, children and women

facing social, physical and

mental challenges in the

Asia-Pacific Region.

Giving Hope

CARING LOVE

CARING LOVE

This is a new project in the enclave of Oekusi, the former

colonial Capital. Their two Centres were destroyed during the

1999 military violence. There are 52 Children at Mahata and

54 at Kutet. Most have lost at least one, some both parents.

Oekusi is the poorest region in Timor. Education is their only

window to a better life. Their Centres struggle to survive.

They are trying to be self-sufficient in their food.

Mother, Youth & Child Self-help projects “Helping Young Women to Help Themselves”

A new project - Young female domestic workers

are a very vulnerable group in most developing

countries. All are poor and often drop-outs from

school. Few complete High School. Protection and

education dramatically improve their quality of life.

In Agdao, Philippines, two Sisters are initiating a

small pilot program addressing this social need.

EAST TIMOR

PHILIPPINES

Photo: Cath News

Marist Australia Newsletter is published quarterly by Marist Mission Centre. Postal: Locked Bag 5002, Gladesville, NSW, 1675 Office: 3 Mary St, Hunters Hill NSW AUSTRALIA 2110. Tel: +61 2 9844 2275 Fax: 02 9816 1737 (www.maristmissions.com) & (www.maristfathers.org.au) Fr Kevin Stewart SM : [email protected] Jane : [email protected] Annie: [email protected] Giving Hope

MARIST SM AUSTRALIA Religious Sisters on the front lines making a difference

2012 DONATIONS

Donations to Australian Marist Centre Overseas Aid

(AMCOA) are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. Your entire AMCOA donation (100%) goes

to those most vulnerable and in need, to help them to help themselves.

Donations to Marist Fathers International Mission (MFIM) are used for training Marists to work on Mission. They are non-tax deductible.

BEQUESTS Recommended wording is as follows:

The Director for the time-being of the Marist Mission Centre, a special work of the Trustees of the Marist Fathers for the Province of Australia,

3 Mary Street, Hunters Hill, NSW

OVERCOMING SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE

Throughout SE Asia, Child labour

robs children of their childhood. The

kids (pictured) are wading through a sea

of plastic waste floating on dirty waters

on the Davao waterfront.

They earn a few extra pesos to help

their families but drop out of school.

An extra dollar per day makes a huge

difference in their ability to continue in

school. Mothers are the big key to over-

coming disadvantage and building up

the quality of life of their children.

MARIST SISTERS WHERE THE NEEDS ARE GREAT !

Marist Sisters Monica & Arleen roll up

their sleeves daily to support 2 community-

based initiatives in Davao, Philippines.

Sr Arleen works with a St Luke’s Learning

Centre (a grand name for a humble concrete -

block room wedged between the sea and a

school wall). 3 sessions of Children attend

the centre daily dressed in simple uniforms

to ensure a real pride in being students.

There is a spin-off - Mums gather and work

as a team to produce handicrafts that earn

that precious extra dollar per day that makes

all the difference in schooling their children.

Sr Monica supports a drop-in Centre for

poor sea gypsy children, a kilometre distant.

They counter child malnourishment and

teach children the skills needed to bridge

their journey into formal education.

Sr Arlene

+

OBLATE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME OVERCOMING SOCIAL DISADVANTAGE

a meeting of kindred spirits ….

Moya Fleming, Director of Manly Mission

Group of the Manly-Freshwater Parish NSW

recently met Sister Jeanne (pictured above/

below in blue). They share a vision.

Sister is a former winner of the prestigious

Bayani ng Pilipino (Hero of the Philippines)

award for her work among disadvantaged

women and street children in the most violent

city of the Philippines. Moya has been a

driving force for Missions in Manly Parish.

This was a meeting of kindred spirits.

Moya and Manly parish are partnering Sister

Jeanne and Sister Jojo in a third program near

the Marist Sisters to empower poor mothers

and enable them to care for their children and

earn that extra magic dollar per day to support

their children’s education. Congratulations

Manly Parishioners and Moya’s team !

Sr Jeanne, Sr Monica SM

and dynamic house-mother

Vergie and friends at the

Bajao Children’s Centre

Agdao, Davao City

Sr Arlene and her “Mother

Entrepreneurs” earning that

elusive extra dollar per day.

Husbands assist their wives

with the marketing and are

supportive of their children.

Thanks for helping us to

help ourselves!

Education

Our Future

YES I would like to donate to

MARIST SM AUSTRALIA Marist Fathers International Mission (MFIM)

Australian Marist Centre Overseas Aid (AMCOA)

Australian Marist Centre Overseas Aid (AMCOA)

(donations are tax-deductible - 100% goes to the project )

Marist Fathers International Mission (MFIM) (non tax-deductible - Religious purposes)

Please send me information on Estate Planning

My donation:

$25 $50 $100 $250 $500 Other _______

I enclose cheque money order cash

I would like to make a direct debit from my credit card:

Monthly Quarterly Half-yearly Once only

Visa Card Master Card

Card No. _____________________________________

Name on card _________________________________

Expiry date __________________________________

Signature _____________________________________

Date _____________________________________

My details are: (please print clearly)

Title: ______ First name _____________________________

Preferred greeting e.g., Bill / Peggy______________________

Family name _______________________________________

Address _______________________________________

__________________________________________________

Suburb /Town ____________________________________

State / Postcode ___________________________________

Phone (_____)______________________________________

Mobile ___________________________________________

Email ___________________________________________

Giving Hope

WWW.MARISTMISSIONS.COM

Post: Marist Missions, Locked Bag 5002, Gladesville, NSW 1675

Or Fax to (02) 9816 1737 or donate online. “Giving Hope”

TOPU HONIS CHILDREN’S PROGRAM - EAST TIMOR

MOTHERS’ SELF-HELP PROJECT - PHILIPPINES

CAMBODIA: The education revolution gives us hope

With thanks

from the

MMC Team and

our network of

Marist Family

Partners