Issue 08 Autumn 2012
Education – Through Sponsorship – Gives Hope To Thousands Arjunkisku, a friendly Indian teenager and Asian Aid sponsor child, wants to be a civil engineer. He has a unique comedic streak that brings much joy to his peers. He smiles. You smile. Arjunkisku is one of over 8,500 children who Asian Aid donors have given the opportunity to gain an education and a better understanding of himself, others and the world.
“I was quiet and no one was talking with me,” says Arjunkisku when talking about the start of his educational experience. His confidence has grown over the past six years, and he is now in charge of the boys at school, “their big brother”. But like many of the children sponsored by Asian Aid, Arjunkisku has faced many challenges. His mother – a widow – works in a tea garden, and may earn as little as 12,600 rupees a year (AUD$252). She must support Arjunkisku, his two siblings, and grandfather.
Mandira, another sponsored child, found coming from Nepal to attend an Asian Aid school, a big move. Previous to her sponsorship, Mandira had a weak heart, which affected her health. “My mother had strong faith in Jesus, so she used to pray and fast for me. Eventually my heart problem went away. I am healthy now,” she says. Mandira is thankful for her mother’s faith in Jesus – a faith which she too adopted. “I like to praise the Lord,” says Mandira.
At first, Mandira found the unfamiliar surroundings and language at the school unsettling. But after a few days, she discovered that many people knew Nepali. In no time she grew to love the place. ’“I feel that all the friends who didn’t come with me – should come here. I want to bring them all!” she says.
At home, the situation remains challenging. Deserted by her husband, Mandira’s mother now supports her household by doing housework for other people. “She works every day, and in one month she will get about R.300. She is getting low money,” says Mandira. Despite their financial setbacks, Mandira dreams of becoming a nurse.
For millions of children around the world, like Arjunkisku and Mandira, education means hope for a better future; an escape from poverty; and missing out on an education holds them back from reaching their potential.
From one family, these children (twins and triplets) are sponsored at Balijipeta school in India.
Dr John Hammond, an Asian Aid Australia board director, believes education is an important tool for social change: “A person who receives an education gains tooling and skills that are invaluable for climbing out of the cycle of poverty and despair. They are then more likely to use these gifts to help other people.” While Arjunkisku’s and Mandira’s stories are unique, their family financial situations are typical of the thousands of children sponsored through Asian Aid.
Kerryn Patrick, long time worker of Asian Aid who has visited many of the sponsored children, says: “The opportunity they have to attend any school – let alone ones as special as Asian Aid schools – is a privilege they take seriously.”
(By Sonja Larsen and Kimberley Ellison, current and former Asian Aid Communication coordinators.)
No Voice Gives Voice: 40-Hour Challenge for Kollegal School
Who’s Who: New Asian Aid Staff
For the second year in a row, Avondale College students have gone without hearing, seeing or talking for 40 hours.
“I graduated from Avondale College in 2009 as a Primary teacher, but my heart was in development and aid. I never imagined that my education background would actually lead me into the field after all! This year I hope to utilise my education background to support the many Asian Aid schools. I am passionate about protecting and empowering children and am looking forward to working with Asian Aid to ensure that we are equipping our children with quality education and the skills they will need in the future.”
The 40-Hour Challenge, organised by the student mission club Cosmos in October 2011, not only raised awareness of the emotional and physical difficulties of people with an impairment, but also raised more than $500 for Asian Aid’s Kollegal School for Speech and Hearing Impaired Children in India. “Being mute has shown me the difficulties of not having a voice in society,” student Ben Keri scribbled on a notepad during the challenge.“I now realise people in poor communities also have no voice. They are the destitute, and they often experience injustice.” Thank you COSMOS for your initiative and support. (Brenton Stacey with Megan Townend.)
Rebecca Hunter – Sponsorship team, Wauchope, NSW
Sonja Larsen – Communication Coordinator, Wauchope, NSW
“My Avondale experience ended last year, but this year brings with it a new kind of excitement and adventure – with Asian Aid Australia. I am thrilled to be working with Asian Aid as it is a growing and dynamic organisation. Although a long way from home, Port Macquarie is beautiful and the Asian Aid family wonderful. I look forward to using my skills to contribute to Asian Aid’s vision and give hope in any capacity I can.” Tammy Moses – Asian Aid Intern, Pokhara, Nepal
“This year, I will be assisting local partners in project management and gathering communication material for the Asian Aid team in Australia. Since graduating from Avondale College I have been involved in several community outreach projects. More recently I have been working for the South Pacific Division Bible School in Sydney. I am particularly interested in community development, with a focus on the advocacy of human rights – making the opportunity to join the Asian Aid team one that I will embrace whole-heartedly.” Josh Moses – Asian Aid Field Volunteer, Pokhara, Nepal
Rosemarie Southern and Karli Borresen’s faux speech and hearing impairments. Credit: Brenton Stacey, Avondale College.
Did You Know?
Sponsorship options range from $25 to $50, and provide different levels of care and education for children.
“This year I will be focusing on photography and communications. This role will allow me to travel and document the progress of existing Asian Aid projects.Though my background is business, my passion is media creation – specifically photography. I have worked for two years in marketing and for three years as a contract photographer – so I look forward to sharing my knowledge and skills with Asian Aid. Please keep our projects and our work in your prayers.”
1% of your annual wage* would sponsor a child for a year** and provide them with education they may otherwise not receive. 1% of your annual wage is generally more than the annual income of an average Asian Aid sponsor child’s family. Child sponsorship is tax-deductible. *
If you earn near the average Australian wage – approx. $53,000.
** At $40 a month.
L-R: Rebecca Hunter, Sonja Larsen,Tammy Moses, Josh Moses.
Their experience... the Blue Hills College group with school children in India.
Schoolies Make A Difference Instead of joining in the usual end-of-year schoolies festivities, five Blue Hills College students – Kirsten Finey, Sophie Watts, Charlotte O'Neill, Ezekiel Kingston, Brendon Hopkins – and teachers – Bronwyn Tually, Jeanine Bougaardt, and Anthony Coombs – ventured to India and Nepal, to serve at some of Asian Aid’s schools and projects (November 14-29, 2011).
Kristen Finey, one of the students, shares her experiences. “Travelling to India, one of the most over populated and poor nations in the world, truly opened my eyes to how little and insignificant we are in the “rat race” of life. Visiting the schools and orphanages showed me the power of a HUGE God who loves and cares for His every child. Asian Aid is an example of the Lord’s Spirit working and living, transforming the lives of those who were powerless and weak. Seeing the love from the teachers, staff and students at Bobbili Blind School was a blessing.”
Making balloons for children in slum schools, singing with the children saved from human trafficking in a church we helped paint in Nepal, visiting the new foundations of an orphanage, all proved God is hope. I was truly moved by the home groups in Pokhara, Nepal, which were havens for the children who would have been trafficked into India to become prostitutes or have their organs illegally sold. The dedication and sacrifice by the teachers and home parents was inspirational.What a blessing it was to see it first hand.” Students and staff fundraised before the trip by selling Indian food at school on Fridays and by organising a high tea. “The students really embraced the experience and the people in every way,” says Bronwyn Tually, one of the teachers who joined the students on this trip. See Summer Newsletter 2011 for more information about this trip.
Significant Dates To Celebrate With The World
As a church, community, individual or workplace, why not support and raise awareness for some of these events and days which are dedicated to making a fairer and more sustainable world? March 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination/Harmony Day
March 22 World Water Day – www.worldwaterday.org April 7
April 12 April 22 May 12 May 15
World Health Day – www.who.int/world-health-day
International Day for Street Children
International Earth Day – www.earthday.org
World Fair Trade Day – www.fairtrade.com.au
International Day of Families – www.un.org/en/events/familyday
Creative Fundraising
If your church or school would like to partner with Asian Aid through an event, fundraising initiative or other project, please contact Sonja Larsen on (02) 6586 4250 (ext.1340) or at sonja.larsen@asianaid.org.au
Q & A with Dr Hammond Dr John Hammond’s experience, skills, and heart for mission and service complement his recent appointment as a director of the Asian Aid Australia board.
How did your involvement with Asian Aid begin? My wife, Sue, has been a supporter of Asian Aid for years and I have been the ‘silent’ partner in her support.
What makes Asian Aid unique? Asian Aid is unique in that it started off in a very humble way and has grown to be a major source of support in Asia. It is now a very carefully run organisation that has not forgotten the original mission.
What are some common issues faced by developing countries relating to basic education? The first would be accessibility to education in developing countries with a high rate of illiteracy. Followed by that would be the quality of the education commonly practiced in developing countries. This boils down to the level of training given to teachers and the general lack of resources that we would take for granted. What can we learn from children/people in developing countries about the value of education? Having visited many schools in many developing countries, it is always humbling to see how much value they place on an education. If only students and parents in our own country could appreciate this. One only has to observe the work ethic of many of our first-generation migrants to see how clearly they know this. How do you see yourself contributing to Asian Aid’s work? After all these years, I am still just a learner in education. However, my career as a teacher and system administrator has certainly sensitised me to the learning process and the importance of providing quality education.
Where to from here? At some time I would love to visit some of the Asian Aid schools to see how they operate. Having worked in
developing countries, I am aware that the operation can be markedly different to the way in which we often think they should run. However, my background has enabled me to discover very quickly whether or not a school or system is running efficiently. Even though a school might have to operate on a shoe-string budget with limited resources, it often takes someone from outside the system to give advice on more effective ways of optimising the education process.
Because I am very new to the Asian Aid Board, I have much to learn before I have anywhere near the level of expertise that other Board members have. However, I love a challenge and look forward to working with Asian Aid.
“Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.” Kofi Annan
SPONSORS DESPERATELY NEEDED One of these children would love to be sponsored by you
Saranya, 7
Sibika, 11
Riya, 11
Robert, 11
Ajith, 5
Esther, 4
Navaz, 11
India Village Girl
India Single income family
India Lives with Grandma
India Father is a watchman
India Lives in slum area
India Father is a coolie
India Large family
India – Supported by Grandma
Keerthana, 8
India – Father unfit for work
Raj Kumar, 15
Adabala, 12
India Struggling family
Belin, 13
India Father disabled
India – Lives with Grandparents
Aditya, 10
Chamundeswari, 7
Prakash, 13
$30
India Irregular income
$30
India Very poor family
Khoosbu, 11
Sintu, 11
Anand, 11
Kavya, 6
Vishnu, 14
Nicodim, 13
Nillam, 13
$40
$40
$25
$25
$30
$25
$30
India Father deceased
India Father is labourer
$40
$30
India Father is a teacher
$40
$40
$25
$30
India Father disabled
$40
$25
India Lives in remote area
$40
$25
India Remote village area
$25
$30
India Large family
MY DONATION TO
ASIAN AID ORGANISATION LTD
ABN 98 002 286 419 PO BOX 333 WAUCHOPE NSW 2446 AUSTRALIA PO BOX 97-357 MANUKAU CITY AUCKLAND 2241 NZ
YES! Please find enclosed my gift for the following special needs YES Project
Bethel Home
$
Gift Fund
$
Administration
$
HELP Project
Special Projects
I would like to sponsor a child at
Day school rate $25pm Day school PLUS $30pm Boarding school rate $40pm Boarding PLUS $50pm
Mr/Mrs/Miss Address P/code
Phone No (
$
Amount
)
Cheque
Visa
This payment is to be Card Name
Urmilam, 11
Mohini, 11
$50
$50
$50
Mownica, 15
Sandeep, 12
Ashwini, 18
Rathna, 19
$50
$100
$100
India India India Parents deserted Lives in Orphanage Father deceased
Robin, 11
India – Parents are labourers
$50
Tertiary rate $100pm
$Au $NZ
Credit card (as below)
Internet transfer (we will send you details) Mastercard
Ayush, 2
Payment Method Card No:
$
$
$50
Expiry Date: a regular monthly payment
India Orphan Girl
a single payment
Signature
Donations over $2 to approved projects are tax deductible in Australia I would like information on how to include Asian Aid in my will
Date
India India India Father deceased Studying nursing Studying nursing
Go to asianaid.org.au for more children waiting to be sponsored. 97-357 Manukau City Auckland NZ
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Hope: Asian Aid Australia Launches its Ambassador Program
They are ordinary people doing extraordinary things for others in need. We call them ambassadors, but they call themselves friends of Asian Aid.
They are different from each other: they come from different walks of life, live in different places and enjoy different things. But they are also very similar to each other: they like giving hope to others… in abundance. Meet Lynne Blundell, a mother of two and grandmother of three and a retired primary school teacher and TAFE literacy and numeracy support teacher, who lives south of Gunnedah. To Lynne and her husband Bill, hope means “seeing some light at the end of the tunnel that makes life worth living and gives it meaning”. They believe hope is a process of small steps that leads to further steps being taken by others. And the Blundells know about a step-by-step, life-changing process because they are sponsors to 11 Asian Aid children.
“We have had some of our children for many years,” says Lynne,“and others have been added to our family because of their great need, or to replace those who have left the system in recent times.”
Email Address?
If you have an email address and would prefer for your statements to be sent electronically, could you please contact us on (02) 6586 4250 to let us know? You can also login to your online account at the Asian Aid website (www.asianaid.org.au) to update all your contact details, if they have changed. Sending electronic statements to you will be more cost and time-efficient for us.Thank you.
Asian Aid Australia on Facebook
Asian Aid Australia has recently joined Facebook. Like us on Facebook and become part of our online community.
Three interesting Facebook facts:
1. Facebook was named the most visited website in 2010.
2. There are almost 800 million regular Facebook users worldwide. 3. Facebook is the fastest growing of the social media sites in Australia with 10 million users living in the country.
Lynne’s and Bill’s Asian Aid story began in 1974 when they sponsored a girl in Vietnam and began promoting the work of the agency at Avondale College Church. Lynne currently promotes Asian Aid in five churches and gets a “great feeling of satisfaction” when others decide to sponsor a child. She had helped 21 children find sponsors last year.
“I have found that the response is far greater when I am able to take a service on the needs of the poor and our responsibility to help them,” says Lynne. Thank you Blundells for your amazing support of Asian Aid. Keep an eye out for more Ambassador Stories in the upcoming newsletters.
Do you want to be an Asian Aid Ambassador? Ambassadors help promote the work of Asian Aid to others, partner with us through creative fundraising activities, and/or use their skills and experience to assist us in fulfilling our vision. And we couldn’t do what we do without you.