CO_Mar17_WEB

PROJECT COMPASSION
Aloma’s community now cares
for their common home together
WHEN TYPHOON SANTI destroyed her home in coastal Philippines, Aloma feared
for her family’s safety and their future.
Extreme weather events such as typhoons and cyclones are a common occurrence in
this country, threatening the safety and food security of many families.
In the Philippines, GDP per capita is around one-tenth that of Australia’s, and life
expectancy is around 14 years lower.
Poverty is the single most important factor determining vulnerability to natural
disasters, which makes communities like Aloma’s particularly vulnerable.
However, confidence began to replace fear for Aloma as she began participating in
the Integrated Community Development Program (ICDP) in 2011.
The program, run by the Socio Pastoral Action Center Foundation Inc, is supported
by Caritas Australia. It helps communities to prepare for disasters, and adopt
environmentally friendly practices.
Aloma’s training in disaster risk reduction empowered her to take a leadership role in
her community in caring for the environment.
With support from a Caritas-funded program in the
Philippines, Dinia was able to learn about organic
farming, managing livestock, and starting a small
business. Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas.
She manages logistics during natural disasters, and encourages the families in her
village to plant mangroves for land conservation.
The program also offers guidance on working together for the common good. As a
result, Aloma says, “All the skills that I learned, I pass on to friends and neighbours.”
Aloma’s community now cares for their common home together, and Aloma sees a
brighter future for her children.
Caritas launches Project
Compassion Lenten Appeal
IN SUPPORT OF THE world’s poor,
including millions in our immediate
region, thousands of parishes, schools
and community leaders across Australia are
putting their compassion into action, during
Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion
Lenten Appeal.
The World Bank estimates that
90 million people live in extreme poverty
in Australia’s neighbouring region.
Another 300 million are vulnerable to
falling back into poverty due to natural
disasters, climate change, disease and
economic shocks.
Project Compassion funds humanitarian
and long-term development programs
in more than 29 countries across Asia,
Africa, the Pacific, Latin America and First
Australian communities. Starting on Ash
Wednesday, the appeal runs over the six
weeks of Lent. Last year, Project Compassion
raised $11.1 million.
Through this year’s theme, ‘Love your
neighbour’, Caritas Australia demonstrates
how this approach can transform lives.
Paul O’Callaghan is the CEO of Caritas
Australia. “Caritas Australia has worked
with partner agencies overseas and in First
Australian communities to assist those
communities lift themselves out of poverty,”
he said.
“We have transformed millions of
lives in the process, including providing
assistance to more 2 million people
directly last year through our emergency
and development programs.”
Focused on our ‘Love your neighbour’
theme, Caritas Australia will feature human
stories from the Philippines, Timor-Leste,
Australia, Vietnam and Fiji.
“I encourage you to support Project
Compassion because your donations
make a big difference to our capacity to
help impoverished communities become
stronger and more resilient. This can only
lead to a better future for our world,” Mr
O’Callaghan said.
During Lent, Australians are invited to
support Project Compassion by making a
donation, or by hosting fundraising events
in their local parish or school. Supporters
can also to share their stories on social
media at #ProjectCompassion.
To donate to Project Compassion or for
fundraising ideas visit www.caritas.org.au/
projectcompassion or phone 1800 024 413.
Aloma’s training in disaster risk reduction empowered her to take a leadership role in her community in caring
for the environment. Photo: Richard Wainwright/Caritas.
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MARCH 2017 CatholicOutlook 27