CARITASNEWS #146 | SPRING 2016
LIVING SUSTAINABLY Growth, renewal and hope for the future
> TJANPI
DESERT WEAVERS
“Tjanpi is culture”
1800 024 413
> GROWING IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE
Enduring all seasons
www.caritas.org.au
> LOVE FOR
PROJECT COMPASSION
Community strength
The Catholic agency for international aid and development
FROM THE CEO
THANK YOU
Spring is a time of new growth and renewal.
In 2016, we celebrate 50 years since the first Project Compassion appeal was held in Lent of 1966.
Thanks to your generous response to Project Compassion 2016, we are able to continue supporting First Australian communities and families around the world. This year, Project Compassion reached its first half century and again, in 2016, raised over $11 million. With your valued support, Project Compassion has enabled Caritas to transform the lives of millions of people. In every one of our partner agencies, I have been humbled by the high value our partners have for this collaboration. Your contribution enables us to continue our life-changing work with those most marginalised in more than 30 countries globally and within Australia. And we look forward to the next 50 years of supporting communities to take confident charge of their own journeys. Please turn to the back pages to see photos of our supporters around Australia. From Bunbury to Brisbane, Sydney to Sandhurst – I thank you for your creativity and dedication.
That year we raised $116,000 and today, thanks to the generosity and compassion of the Australian community, it has become one of Australia’s largest humanitarian fundraising and awareness-raising campaigns. In 2016, over $11 million was raised to help our global community. Find out more about 50 years of Project Compassion at www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion/50_years
Thanks to the generosity and compassion of the Australian community, it has become one of Australia’s largest humanitarian fundraising and awareness-raising campaigns.
Last spring, Pope Francis said, “We must move forward together, as one, in a renewed spirit of fraternity and solidarity, cooperating generously for the common good”. I believe that our supporters do just this, and always have. Thank you for being part of the Caritas family and offering your support through prayer, fundraising and events, donating to our various appeals, and continuing to support Project Compassion. There is a great deal to celebrate in our current Caritas partnerships. Working closely together with our partners, we know so much more can be achieved. In solidarity with our sisters and brothers in the many communities assisted by Caritas and our partner agencies, thank you.
Paul O’Callaghan, CEO
CONTENTS 03 GROWING IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE 04 WEAVING COUNTRY: CELEBRATING AUSTRALIAN INDIGENOUS CULTURE
06 ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOUR: BANGLADESH
07 A DIGNIFIED LIFE: PHILIPPINES 08 CHANGING LIVES IN LIMA: PERU 09 THE SKY’S THE LIMIT: MALAWI 10 CARITAS COMMUNITY: OUR GLOBAL VILLAGE
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Cover: Tjanpi Desert Weavers from Warakurna with their finished work Tjilkamata Minyma mana Wati Ngintaka Warta (Two Porcupine Wives and Perentie Man Tree) 2013, and four of the artists: Nanana Jackson, Bridget Jackson, Dianne Golding and Eunice Porter. Photo: Jo Foster © Tjanpi Desert Weavers, NPY Women’s Council All photos Caritas Australia unless otherwise stated.
Caritas Australia acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians, past and present, of the land on which all our offices are located.
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Caritas Australia is a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID).
Caritas Australia is fully accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Please note: some of the programs featured in this issue of CaritasNews are funded by Caritas Australia and the Australian Government.
SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS
GROWING IN GRACE AND KNOWLEDGE For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. Isaiah 61:11
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 1 SEPTEMBER TO 4 OCTOBER: SEASON OF CREATION In June we commemorated the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical Laudato Si’ which called the world to unite to protect “our common home”. To mark it further, the Pontiff has designated five weeks to the Season of Creation.
Every day, the Caritas network is bringing communities and families together, so they can participate in decisions that affect their lives. Our development approach is to help whole communities live peaceful lives, free from poverty, hunger and injustice.
During this time and beyond, we need to reflect on the earth that sustains us and pray for those living in regions most threatened by the destructive effects of climate change.
This issue of CaritasNews focuses on sustainable livelihoods which is one part of our holistic, Integral Human Development approach. To live a full life, there is a requirement for sustained economic wellbeing and resilience – where people have access to resources necessary for life for themselves and their family.
To find out how you can take action for climate justice, live more sustainably and learn more about Laudato Si’, visit www.caritas.org.au/climate
“We open the Season of Creation on September 1, Creation Day, and we end on October 4, the Feast of St Francis of Assisi,” said Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, President of Caritas Internationalis.
To achieve this, we partner with local organisations and communities to provide financial support for programs, as well as technical support, advice on management and planning, mentoring and guidance. We also work in partnership with the Australian Government, with some of our programs supported by Australian Aid.
THIS ISSUE Our articles highlight how life’s resources are only truly gained when a person’s livelihood – whether that is crafts, farming or baking – means they have access to year-round nutritious food, clean water, healthcare and regular income. In all parts of the world, a sustainable livelihood is necessary to live a safe and secure life. It helps us to endure all seasons and look towards the future with hope.
Grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
Caritas Australia supports sustainable livelihood programs in many countries, including Talku, Nepal.
In all parts of the world, a sustainable livelihood is necessary to live a safe and secure life. It helps us to endure all seasons and look towards the future with hope. #146 SPRING 2016 | 3
AUSTRALIA
WEAVING COUNTRY Tjanpi Desert Weavers, a social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara, Yakunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council, has been providing culturally appropriate employment opportunities to women from remote First Australian communities for over 20 years. Starting in the mid-90s, Tjanpi has been embraced by women across central Australia. The enterprise is Aboriginal governed and directed with over 400 active weavers from 28 communities across NPY Lands (350,000 square kilometres across NT, SA and WA).
EVALUATING THE PROGRAM As part of our regular learnings about our programs, an independent evaluation was recently commissioned. As illustrated through the comments from the weavers (on the next page), the evaluation identified that there are many benefits for the women involved, including that it: • Supports social and cultural obligations • Can be undertaken by women of all ages and ability levels
The name ‘Tjanpi’ is inspired by tjanpi, the wild-harvested desert grass that the women weave with other materials to produce fibre art. Their contemporary artworks, which celebrate their land, stories and culture are popular in galleries across Australia and around the world.
• Is not resource intensive and offers flexible work conditions
In 2005, Caritas Australia assisted the enterprise with a small grant and our partnership has continued.
• Is environmentally friendly. The artists often recycle clothing by reusing the wool from old jumpers.
We are driven by an Integral Human Development approach to community development work. This means exploring and valuing outcomes beyond economic growth and income generation, including the social, cultural and spiritual elements that make our projects meaningful for participants.
• Can be performed without access to technology
The program evaluator, Jo Thompson, said “the partnership between Caritas and Tjanpi is based on trust, reciprocity and mutual respect, and is a relationship which is reinforced by its longevity and commonalities of values.
Tjanpi artists with their works at a bush camp, Irrunytju WA. 2014. Photo by Jo Foster ©Tjanpi Desert Weavers
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AUSTRALIA
FROM THE TJANPI WEAVERS “Of course we realised as we were out collecting all that vegetation, all that different grass that, ‘Hang on! All that grass is growing on sacred land in various areas’, and we realised as we were collecting the grasses and making the baskets, that we were in fact weaving the country and weaving stories into the country and each different grass had its own story, and we realised we were working with a very ancient story and tradition, but making new things out of it.” – Nyurpaya Kaika-Burton, Amata SA “It is good to keep our culture going. Our grandmothers can see that we are working. They can see what work we do. We are all here, working and living and making money for our children.” – Dorothy Richards, Mantamaru WA “We love doing Tjanpi. We get a little bit of money. Making baskets and dogs and sculptures makes us feel good and happy. It’s lovely being together in a group, where we can tell stories. We go out bush. We like going out bush, we like making things and going hunting. We’re reminded of Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) when we’re on country.” – Group interview with Dorcas Bennett, Anna Porter, Eunice Porter, Polly Jackson, Judith Chambers and Nancy Jackson, Warakurna WA “We have one lady who had a stroke; she can’t weave with the raffia because of her disability, but she can wind wool. She was so excited because Claire [Tjanpi Field Officer] helped her make a flat sculpture with wool which she wound around.” – Doreen Coughran, Coordinator, Docker River Aged Care “With Tjanpi, we source our materials by going bush and collecting Tjanpi and this also involves getting bush medicines. Tjanpi involves bush trips which other work doesn’t do. Sometimes we go out for tjarla (honey ants).” – Dorcas Tinnimai Bennett, Warakurna WA “The difference is that Tjanpi is done in the open – a lot of other work is done in a workshop, but Tjanpi work is done outside. It’s lovely to be in fresh air.” – Group interview of fibre artists
Rene Kulitja with Kuka Irititja at Venice Biennale 2015. Photo: Angus Mordant
“The partnership between Caritas and Tjanpi is based on trust, reciprocity and mutual respect, and is a relationship which is reinforced by its longevity and commonalities of values.” “With Tjanpi we always take it anywhere. When we’re travelling we take it and sit down and make Tjanpi anywhere.” – Linda Eddy, Irrunytju WA “I make papa (dogs) and ngirntaka (perentie lizards) out of my imagination. These are my mum’s and aunties’ stories that they taught us and we’re carrying them on. I also teach the stories to my descendants and to white girls and to people who go to exhibitions. At those exhibitions we do workshops and teach people how to do Tjanpi.” – Mary Pan, Amata SA “It makes us very happy to collect things from the bush such as ininti beans and gumnuts, and other woods and grasses – to us they are things of great beauty and we make beautiful things out of them and so that makes us really happy. We LOVE doing that.” – Kanytjupai Armstrong, Ernabella SA
LEARN
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To find out more about the Tjanpi Desert Weavers and to purchase Tjanpi sculptures, head to www.tjanpi.com.au
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ASIA: BANGLADESH
ENJOYING THE FRUITS OF THEIR LABOUR Sariful Islam lives in a drought-prone district of Bangladesh. As the main provider to a family of five, every day used to be a challenge. But thanks to a Caritas Australia supported project, his life has been transformed.
In July 2013, Caritas Bangladesh with the support of Caritas Australia, started a Sustainable Food and Livelihood Security Project in Naogaon. Due to the region being drought prone and affected by climate change, most farmland is reliant on rain, rather than irrigation. Therefore, people’s livelihoods – especially the poor and landless – face challenges accessing food. Before joining the project, Sariful was fortunate to have a homestead on almost an acre of cultivable lands, however he lacked the knowledge and skills to cultivate vegetables, and was unable to produce enough from the land. His only income came from wages as a day labourer, and it was very difficult to provide for his wife and three children.
“Now fully involved in his homestead-based garden, Sariful is able to provide his family with daily nutritious food.” SUSTAINABLE SUPPLY OF FOOD When Sariful heard about the project, he took part in agricultural training for homestead-based vegetable cultivation, poultry and livestock rearing. Then he received a grant of BDT 4000 (AU$70) to purchase livestock, farming equipment and seeds for planting. Using this new-found technical knowledge for growing crops, along with financial support, Sariful was able to do something he’d never done before – plan for year-round vegetable cultivation. In other words, he was planning for a sustainable supply of food.
Sariful now has enough food to feed his family and earns a regular income. Photos: Caritas Bangladesh.
Sariful now has enough food to feed his family and is bringing in a regular income by selling produce at the markets. Fully involved in his homestead-based garden, he is able to provide his family with daily nutritious food and although he occasionally works as a day labourer, he is hopeful that his next harvest will be even more productive.
A COMMUNITY LEADER Sariful’s life has changed in other ways too. He has become a community leader and shows other villagers how to manage and produce sustainable home-based crops. Many in his community, inspired by his success, have followed his lead and are enjoying the fruits of their labour.
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You can help other families like Sariful’s by donating to Caritas Australia at www.caritas.org.au or 1800 024 413. Donations $2 and over are tax deductible.
Sariful’s garden now produces vegetables such as spinach, red amaranth, potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, chillies and beans.
This project is supported by the Australian Government. 6 | CaritasNews
SOUTHEAST ASIA: PHILIPPINES
A DIGNIFIED LIFE Gina lives in Bagong Silangan, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. Home to one of the nation’s largest dumpsites, life here is very difficult. But thanks to Caritas Australia’s partner, the Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ), Gina is living a dignified life. Rhodora Carlos, Health Program, FCJ Learning and Development Centre The Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ) Learning and Development Centre is a non-profit non-government organisation founded in 2002. Supported by Caritas Australia, FCJ assists more than 6,000 people living near the dumpsites in Bagong Silangan, a relocation site for squatter families seeking a better life. Here, FCJ is helping to create a community that lives with hope and selfconfidence, in an environment that promotes dignity and creates sustained economic wellbeing and resilience. This organisation is a life-changer for many individuals and communities. Without it, they could easily remain in, or fall further into, extreme poverty. The FCJ programs are based on the principles of benefiting and empowering the poorest within a framework of Integral Human Development, grounded in Catholic Social Teaching.
More than 70,000 people live in Bagong Silangan.
DONATE
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Help people like Gina live a full, happy and secure life by donating to Caritas Australia at www.caritas.org.au or 1800 024 413. Donations $2 and over are tax deductible.
GINA’S STORY As a young person, Gina, 39, was subjected to violence. In 2004, she received care and help from the FCJ and Caritas Australia network. In particular, from the support workers at the Anti Violence against Women and Children Program, and their subsequent health program. Thanks to this support, she now lives a peaceful and productive life, and has grown in strength and self-confidence.
“My life has changed as a result of the presence of the FCJ Centre. Our life as a family has been uplifted.” MOVING ON WITH STRENGTH Once Gina felt strong enough, she learnt English and joined two important programs - the Income Generating Program and the Small Business Support Program. There she learnt to make chocolate and ice candy which now provides her with a sustainable income for herself and her family. Whenever Gina faces personal difficulties or struggles in her life she can access support through the networks that FCJ have made available to her. Gina is very thankful for the moral and financial support, as well as the care and accompaniment that is provided by the FCJ Centre to the community. Gina making chocolate at the FCJ Centre. She now has a sustainable livelihood and income. Photo: Jason Dumayan.
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LATIN AMERICA: PERU
CHANGING LIVES IN LIMA In the capital city of Peru, we are helping women to lead lives of dignity, build their self-esteem, and achieve sustainable livelihoods. Around the world, Caritas Australia supports women who have been affected by violence, and works with communities to reduce the occurrence of violence against women. The United Nations (UN) states that one in three women will be abused at some point in their life. Violence not only has negative consequences for women, but also for their families and communities.
THE GENDER AND CITIZENSHIP PROJECT Within Peru, according to the 2013 Demographic and Health Survey, nearly two out of five women have suffered physical violence from their husband or partner at some time. In Cerro Candela, on the outskirts of Lima, we are working with our local partner, the Asociación Casa de la Mujer Catalina McAuley, (Catalina McAuley Women’s House Association) to empower vulnerable women, and promote equality between men and women. The Gender and Citizenship Project offers practical training for women to gain the skills needed for employment or managing their own businesses. This project promotes the capacity and initiative of women to lead lives of dignity, grow in self-esteem and attain sustainable livelihoods.
NÉLIDA’S STORY Thanks to her talents and the encouragement and solidarity offered by the women of the association, Nélida completed a gastronomy training course, which allowed her to start a small business and earn a regular income. After completing the course, Nélida received an order to provide 150 muffins for an event. She soon received orders up to 600 cupcakes for other events.
“I know I am a woman capable of many things,” says Melche (front centre). Photos: Catalina McAuley Women’s House Association
The Gender and Citizenship Project offers practical training for women to gain the skills needed for employment or managing their own businesses. Nélida now runs a small baking business
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ACT Stand up for global justice and have your voice heard. Attend an event www.caritas.org.au/act/events or join our conversation at www.facebook.com/CaritasAU
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“Thanks to the Women’s House for offering women the opportunity to develop ourselves,” says Nélida.
MELCHE’S STORY For the past 13 years, Melche has been working as a crochet teacher for the association’s Mother of Mercy program. She also teaches the women how to market their products so they can earn a regular income. “I am a woman that has suffered greatly; the father of my children treated me badly. When I started with the Women’s House Association, I discovered I have many talents. Thanks to the skills training received, I now know I am a woman capable of many things,” she says. Melche also belongs to a community support group that visits women in Cerro Candela. Within this network of 12 women, she works to minimise violence against women and children, and to build the capacity of group members through workshops and community support groups that address the social implications of poverty.
AFRICA: MALAWI
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT The Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES), which ran from June 2011 to June 2016, was a successful initiative. Many communities in Malawi and Tanzania now live safer and healthier lives. Martin Mazinga from Malawi reports. Martin Mazinga, Program Coordinator, local partner CADECOM (the Catholic Development Commission in Malawi) Malawi and Tanzania are two of the world’s poorest countries. More than three quarters of the population in both countries live in rural areas and are dependent on subsistence farming. Caritas Australia has worked in partnership with the national Caritas offices in Tanzania and Malawi for many years, and although the Australian Government supported AACES initiative has come to an end, our strong relationship and activities in the communities will continue.
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LEARN To read more about AACES, head to www.caritas.org.au/aaces
Through the program, Agatha, a mother of two, has turned her life around. Photo: William Mponda, CADECOM
“My life has changed forever. I wasn’t given any coins, but the knowledge and skills to turn around my life on my own.” AGATHA’S STORY Agatha Yosefe, 46, is a mother of two from Namkumba village, Dowa District, Malawi. Agatha and many others in her district said that the AACES project brought about a radical and transformative change of mindset in the community. By using a Strengths-Based Approach to development, Caritas promotes local ownership and pride by building on the people’s existing skills, resources and experiences. “The introduction of the Strength-Based Approach in our village was a turning point for us. After the community came up with their vision, my husband and I went home and we came up with our own vision. On top of the list was a decent house, which we now have,” says Agatha. Through the program she has gained skills and knowledge in conservation agricultural techniques, increasing the maize harvest on her one-hectare plot from 600 kilograms to 4.2 tonnes. Her family is now food secure and earns some income from the sale of surplus production. Agatha and other members of her community (123 families) also identified the latent potential in a local wetland. Together, they now manage small scale irrigation projects which assist in increasing their vegetable harvests year round. For small-holder farmers who rely on rain for their agriculture, this is an important development to mitigate the effects of climate change which has affected rainfall distribution in Malawi. For Agatha, the sky really is the limit when it comes to turning around things for the better. “Two years ago I decided to buy a sewing machine to do tailoring as I noticed no one was doing it. Using a small loan from the AACES established village savings and loan proceeds, I bought the machine. Now I make an average of US$3 each day from tailoring.
For Project Compassion 2016, Martin spent time in Canberra, NSW and WA.
“My life has changed forever. I wasn’t given any coins, but the knowledge and skills to turn around my life on my own.” #146 SPRING 2016 | 9
CARITAS COMMUNITY
OUR GLOBAL VILLAGE PROJECT COMPASSION 2016 The theme for this year’s Project Compassion, ‘Learning more, creating change’, celebrated the power of learning, and how education, training and sharing knowledge empowers individuals and communities to transform their futures and create lasting change. By learning, growing and moving forward, we can create positive and lasting change for whole communities. www.caritas.org.au/projectcompassion
Supporters in the Diocese of Sandhurst, Victoria serve up pancakes during the Project Compassion launch.
Project Compassion - Sydney Schools Launch at St Aloysius’ College, Milsons Point. 10 | CaritasNews
WA supporters show their love for Project Compassion.
CARITAS COMMUNITY
THE EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN Women hold an important and influential role in the fabric of our society, yet 70 percent of the world’s poor are women. As a girl, Psyche Mae, a 25-year-old social worker from the Philippines, grew up in challenging circumstances. Psyche Mae and her family were featured in Project Compassion in 2008. Together they lived in a village that was a relocation site for squatter families just outside Manila in Bagong Silangan. Pancakes were on the menu at the Project Compassion launch in Brisbane.
Thanks to the support of Caritas Australia and our partner the Faithful Companions of Jesus, which runs programs in the village, the lives of Psyche Mae and her family were transformed. This story is also highlighted on page 7.
WOMEN FOR THE WORLD In May, for the third year in a row, hundreds of women came together in solidarity for Caritas Australia’s Women for the World events, raising over $140,000 for people living in poverty. These funds will go towards programs that continue to help women in vulnerable situations. On this, her first visit to Australia, an amazing opportunity, Psyche Mae told her story of transformational change at the Sydney, Melbourne and Perth events.
“We have the power to change the world by helping each other, but we need to change ourselves first,” said Psyche Mae.
Project Compassion speaker Marie Mondu and Robyn-Anne Lovell (left), Caritas Diocesan Director, Toowoomba, Qld.
A creative fundraising idea for Project Compassion in Canberra - $2 for a photo with Pope Francis.
“We are women of the world, and together with the support of Caritas Australia, we can make a massive difference,” said Michelle Fernon, co-founder (back row, middle). Pictured with (left to right): Alison Green, co-founder, and Georgia Carter. Front (left to right) Psyche Mae, Nicole Murphy, co-founder, and Belinda Carson Bourke. Photo: Peter Brennan
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