CARITASNEWS #143 | SUMMER 2015
OUR GLOBAL FAMILY
a just future for all
> A fair world for children
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> From strength to strength together
www.caritas.org.au
> Building our community
The Catholic agency for international aid and development
FROM THE CEO
“How much I desire that the year to come will be steeped in mercy, so that we can go out to every man and woman, bringing the goodness and tenderness of God! May the balm of mercy reach everyone, both believers and those far away, as a sign that the Kingdom of God is already present in our midst!”
As we approach Christmas and prepare for another year, many of us are making plans to celebrate with our families and loved ones. For Caritas Australia’s supporters, this holy Christmas season is also a time to celebrate the strengths, achievements and compassion of our global family. Pope Francis recently declared the coming year, commencing 8 December 2015, as the Year of Mercy. This coincides with a renewed global commitment to end poverty. Through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the heads of 193 governments recently resolved to end poverty and inequality everywhere; to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies; to protect human rights; and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet. The 17 goals (page 3) aim to galvanise global efforts to empower the world’s poorest over the next 15 years.
- Pope Francis, Misericordia Vultus, Bull of Indictio of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, 5
THANK YOU FOR CARING Caritas Australia believes that all people should have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. We call this subsidiarity, and it underpins everything we do across our international programs, education initiatives, advocacy, and community engagement activities.
As Pope Francis reminds us, “Mercy is the force that reawakens us to new life and instills in us the courage to look to the future with hope” (Misericordia Vultus, Bull of Indictio of the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy, 5).
As a member of our Caritas family, it is important that you have your say. Thank you for taking the time to complete our short supporter survey. We truly appreciate your thoughts and feedback and look forward to sharing the results with you next year.
In his address to the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015, Pope Francis called for this to be a reform in pursuit of genuine equality. Recalling the relationship between our concern for human dignity and for our common home, Pope Francis urges us to strive for sustainable development in communion with one another, as equal members of one global family. Just as we do in our own families, “we are dealing with real men and women who live, struggle and suffer,” Pope Francis said. “We must allow them to be dignified agents of their own destiny. Integral human development and the full exercise of human dignity must be built up and allowed to unfold for each individual, for every family.” This year, Caritas Australia has been at the forefront of many international emergency responses. The agency has also become an enhanced model of Catholic faith in action by implementing an integral human development framework across all long-term programs. As we turn the chapter on another year, I would like to thank each of you, our Caritas Australia family, for your prayers, solidarity and support. This helps our teams in their work with partner agencies and also in providing the bedrock of hope for the people with whom we are privileged to work. On behalf of our staff, volunteers and partners, thank you, and may you have a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. Regards
If you haven’t completed the survey and would like to tell us what you think, visit www.caritas.org.au/survey2016
CONTENTS 03 A JUST FUTURE FOR ALL: OUR GLOBAL FAMILY 04 FROM DISASTER TO HOPE: NEPAL 06 A FAIR WORLD FOR CHILDREN: BOLIVIA 07 HEALTHY CONNECTIONS: AUSTRALIA 09 BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY: BOUGAINVILLE 10 FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH TOGETHER: CAMBODIA
Paul O’Callaghan, CEO
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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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MIX logo Cover: A relief distribution in Ghayalchok, Nepal. After the earthquakes in April and May 2015, the Caritas network rushed tarps, sleeping mats, blankets, hygiene kits and water treatment tablets to families in Gorkha district. See page 4. Photo: Jennifer Hardy, Catholic Relief Services. All photos Caritas Australia unless otherwise stated. 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.
OUR GLOBAL FAMILY
A JUST FUTURE FOR ALL
KEY DATES
On 25 September 2015, The United Nations General Assembly adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to transform our world. With these extraordinary goals, all 193 UN Member States pledged to end extreme poverty, overcome injustice, and address climate change in the next 15 years.
30 NOVEMBER TO 11 DECEMBER 2015: THE UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE HOLDS ITS 21ST CONFERENCE OF PARTIES IN PARIS, WORKING TOWARDS A NEW INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENT ON CLIMATE CHANGE TO KEEP GLOBAL WARMING BELOW 2°C.
In 2000, the world agreed to halve extreme poverty and halt the spread of HIV and AIDS when it affirmed the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). By 2015, the MDG to halve world poverty was reached; the new goals for our global community champion the strength, aspirations and voices of the women, children and men most vulnerable to poverty and injustice. The SDGs are intended to be universal; they will address the root causes of poverty in all countries and leave no one behind.
DECEMBER IS HUMAN RIGHTS MONTH
In his September address Pope Francis reminded world leaders that realising the SDGs requires our full and unwavering commitment to integral human development:
10 DECEMBER: HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
1 DECEMBER: WORLD AIDS DAY 3 DECEMBER: INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PEOPLE 8 DECEMBER: THE YEAR OF MERCY COMMENCES
“The simplest and best measure and indicator of the implementation of the new agenda for development will be effective, practical and immediate access, on the part of all, to essential material and spiritual goods: housing, dignified and properly remunerated employment, adequate food and drinking water; religious freedom; and, more generally, spiritual freedom and education. These pillars of integral human development have a common foundation, which is the right to life and, more generally, what we could call the right to existence of human nature itself.”
18 DECEMBER: INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY 1 JANUARY 2016: WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR PEACE 1–7 FEBRUARY 2016: WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK 10 FEBRUARY 2016: ASH WEDNESDAY
This statement affirms the global Caritas family’s commitment to strengths-based, integral human development guided by the pursuit of justice. Caritas Australia supports the SDGs through our long-term development projects that assist the world’s poorest people to access a greater share of resources, participate in public life, and be staunch advocates for their families and their communities. By championing human dignity, independence, equality, and peaceful relationships, we help empower communities to take strong action for their own sustainable development.
In this issue, • Caritas and the Australian community support Nepal after the April/May earthquakes (page 4) • Bolivia’s Cochabamba community promotes children’s right to a brighter future (page 6) • First Australians work together to prevent diabetes (page 7) • The people of Bougainville build a future (page 9) • Cambodian communities recognise their own strengths (page 10)
© United Nations Global Goals Resource Centre
LEARN
more about the sustainable > For development goals, see
www.caritas.org.au/sdgs For more about the Year of Mercy, see www.iubilaeummisericordiae.va/ content/gdm/en.html
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EMERGENCIES: NEPAL
FROM DISASTER TO HOPE A devastating earthquake, 7.8 in magnitude, hit Nepal on 25 April 2015, upending life for families in both urban Kathmandu and remote mountain communities. On 12 May, a second earthquake of 7.3 magnitude struck. “About 9,000 people lost their lives, and many more were injured. Over 800,000 houses were fully or partially destroyed. This is apart from the damage caused to infrastructure, schools, government and community buildings. In all, nearly one third of the total population (8 million people) was affected by these massive earthquakes,” says Father Pius Perumana, Director of Caritas Nepal.
SIX-MONTH UPDATE Since the disaster, Caritas Australia has been on the ground in Nepal to facilitate the local and international Caritas network response to the devastating earthquakes. Caritas Internationalis appointed Caritas Australia to be the facilitating partner to Caritas Nepal for our international network’s three-month rapid response program. This support will continue for another year. Caritas Australia provided advice and practical support throughout the emergency relief cycle. We assisted Caritas Nepal to plan, coordinate the work of the Caritas agencies, evaluate and review relief work, develop funding proposals, and produce communications for the international Caritas network. In October, we joined our partners at the faith-based organisations meeting at the United Nations in Geneva, and Father Pius Perumana shared his thoughts on the strength of our Caritas family: “I come from Caritas Nepal with a very warm Namaste! Caritas has been working in Nepal for the past 26 years; my reflections are based on our experiences after the recent earthquakes.
“The people know that we are co-pilgrims along their life journey.” - Father Pius Perumana, Director of Caritas Nepal
“Nearly 70% of the emergency relief work in Nepal was carried out by the faith-based organisations. Caritas Nepal was able to assist more than 70,000 households — more than 350,000 individuals. “Our experience shows that faith-based organisations like Caritas are in a better position to intervene in emergencies. One of the clear advantages is the scale and breadth of the Caritas network. And, due to the presence of the Catholic Church at community level and the institutional presence of the Church globally, Caritas Nepal was able to respond effectively to the needs of the people. 4 | CaritasNews
SUPPORT FROM THE AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC Our Caritas family in Australia demonstrated extraordinary compassion, donating generously to our Nepal Emergency appeal and running fundraising events. We have been overwhelmed by the many stories of solidarity and support – thank you for sharing your compassion with our staff, partners and communities on the ground. The Holy Family primary school in Lindfield, Sydney, raised nearly $6,000 to support our emergency response in Nepal. Students and parents were invited to ‘buy a brick to rebuild Nepal’, and students also created bunting, with messages of solidarity and support to the Nepalese people. Suzy McIntyre, from Caritas Australia’s Humanitarian Emergencies Group, presented the bunting to the staff of Caritas Nepal (above), and it is displayed in their office.
“Our presence at the grassroots level made it easy for us to gather and share information, to identify the most affected quickly, and to use our own channels of communication to get the information flowing to the affected people and to the world community. Caritas was able to deliver a response that was local and focused and relevant to the affected communities. “Catholic Social Teachings are the foundation of all our humanitarian interventions and responses. Therefore the community already knows the how and why of what we do. Our approach is based on mutual trust. From our ongoing programs and existing relationship, the communities know very well that our engagement is based on human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity and care of creation. The people know well that we are co-pilgrims along their life journey. We were told in many places: ‘We know Caritas will not abandon us.’”
EMERGENCIES: NEPAL
NEPAL EMERGENCY: SIX-MONTH UPDATE • The Nepal earthquakes impacted 39 of Nepal’s 75 districts. • By 30 October 2015, working together with Caritas Nepal, the Caritas network was responding in 16 of the most affected districts. • Caritas Australia’s supporters contributed $4.3 million for the Nepal Earthquake Appeal, with an additional $640,000 from the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. • The Caritas network reached more than 350,000 people with tarps, mats, blankets, food, and kits for water, sanitation and hygiene.
A HOME FOR MY FAMILY
When the first devastating earthquake struck, Sukumaya (37) feared she would lose everything. A mother of two, Sukumaya has been managing a small farm in Balthali village and raising her children alone since her husband passed away last year. When the ground shook violently beneath her that Saturday morning, Sukumaya’s first instinct was her family’s safety. “I was inside, and the ground started to shake. It was a Saturday, my children were outside playing in the street,” Sukumaya recalls. “I ran out to my children … as I ran, the house collapsed behind me.” The earthquake destroyed the family’s mud brick home and all their possessions, now trapped beneath the rubble. With no place to call home, Sukumaya and her children, Sushila and Samir, looked to their Caritas family for support.
Sukumaya and her children, Sushila and Samir, stand proud outside their new shelter built with your support.
“Right after the earthquake we received help from Caritas. We received tarpaulins, food and water, and hygiene kits to help us stay healthy in our temporary shelter,” says Sukumaya. In the two months since the first earthquake, Caritas Australia and our partners delivered this same assistance for 20,000 households throughout Nepal’s worst-affected regions. In Sukumaya’s village, the Caritas network has now provided more robust shelters made from corrugated galvanised iron sheeting and reclaimed materials. Sukumaya is proud of her new home and grateful to her global Caritas family. “This isn’t just a shelter for my family, it is a place where my children will be safe to play and learn. Now I am happy. I can manage.” Manindra Malla, Head of Programs at Caritas Nepal, remarked on the resilience he has witnessed in communities affected by the earthquake. “Despite their situation and temporary housing, people still manage to do their livelihood activities,” says Manindra.
Caritas Nepal’s Manindra Malla assesses earthquake damage
And the gains from long-term development programs have not been lost. Sustainable agriculture and cooperative enterprise programs continue in regions which were not significantly impacted by the earthquakes. “We thank Caritas Australia and the Australian Government and communities,” Manindra says. “Caritas Nepal has extended your support to the most vulnerable people. Because of this support and their strong resilience they are moving towards making a better life in the future, trying to live with nature in a better way, and learning how to make their houses earthquake resistant.”
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LEARN For more about our response to the earthquakes in Nepal, see www.caritas.org.au/nepalearthquake #143 SUMMER 2015 | 5
LATIN AMERICA: BOLIVIA
A FAIR WORLD FOR CHILDREN
The cry of young voices led the community in Cochabamba, Bolivia, to develop a program that supports children’s rights. A group of working children lobbied their community to create more opportunities for education and develop an inclusive local culture, supporting children’s rights and overcoming their exploitation in the workplace. The Pujllay project emerged, promoting dignity and resilience for children aged 5 to 17 through the development of the whole person, in every aspect of life. Since 2003, Caritas Australia has supported the local organisations that developed this program. The program includes activities to facilitate loving family relationships; games to strengthen children’s social skills; training to promote nutritional food security and environmental protection; and opportunities for children to lead social and political change. Through the Pujllay project, our local partner in Cochabamba is empowering thousands of children to harness their compassion, energy, and creativity and lead their generation to a just future.
“I HAVE LEARNED TO BE A GOOD LEADER” – CARLOS’ STORY At just 15 years old, Carlos already has four years of working life behind him. Without money for food or school fees, he took his first job with the guild of cemetery musicians in the Sacaba Municipality of Cochabamba. He later joined the Pujllay project as a cultural artist, and became involved in the education, cultural and arts programs supported by Caritas Australia. Today Carlos’ mentors say he is compassionate and optimistic, a strong and inclusive leader, who respects his peers and defends their ideals. Rallying his fellow young workers, Carlos successfully petitioned the local government for law reform that champions and protects the rights of children. “Ever since I’ve been participating in the Pujllay project, I have learnt many valuable things about my life. The most important thing I have learned is to respect and appreciate people, especially working children.
Carlos with his prized baby lamb, a symbol of new beginnings for the children of Cochabamba.
Thanks to the Pujllay project, I have learned to respect and appreciate my family. In Pujllay, we talk about our rights, about how to care for the environment, and about how to be good, organised leaders. In my group we have organised ourselves and my group mates always ask me to lead the meetings. We have organised ourselves to defend our rights as working children and adolescents. We have had meetings with the Mayor [and the Ombudsman’s office]; they have listened to us and we have a municipal ordinance that values and protects our rights. I’m older now, but I’m always learning.”
Through the Pujllay project, I have learned how to take care of my small animals, and complete duties in the family. My teacher recently gave me a little lamb as a reward for taking good care of my animals. This year, I learnt to produce my own vegetables. My family and I harvested and cooked onions, lettuce and squash. My mum says it’s good to have a vegetable garden because it gives us vegetables to eat and adds to our nutrition.
“Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” – Matthew 19:14
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The Pujllay program offers a positive future for children like Carlos. Visit www.caritas.org.au/pujllay to find out more. To help Caritas Australia support justice for all children in our global family, donate at www.caritas.org.au/donate
AUSTRALIA
HEALTHY CONNECTIONS Proud members of the First Australian Gooniyandi tribe, Len and Marjorie, want to see their community thrive. With support from Caritas Australia’s partner, the Unity of First People of Australia (UFPA), they tell us how they’re working together to help their mob stay healthy, strong and connected to country.
to my mob in my own language. When the doctors or nurses talk to our mob, I can help break it down; we understand each other. “People here are learning. But it’s a big task. A lot of our elders are already suffering, so we’re helping them and we’re teaching our younger mob to start looking after their health now. “Thanks to this program, we are in control. We know what diabetes is, and our mob are living better, healthier lives.”
MARJORIE: “WE CAN PREVENT DIABETES.” “Diabetes slows you down. I am 56 now. I should still be active. I used to share a lot of things with my grandkids and my sons and daughters, like going hunting as a family. But I can’t do those things anymore. I’m based at the hospital; it’s too far from home, from family, from country. “I didn’t know anything about diabetes before. Raising awareness and learning how to eat healthy is very, very important. There is no cure, but if we reach out and tell others, we can manage and prevent this disease.”
Together with Caritas Australia and UFPA, Len is helping his mob live better, longer and healthier lives. Photo credit: Richard Wainwright
LEN: “IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO HOW WE LIVE OUR LIVES TOGETHER.” “We never knew much about diabetes. People were often sent away from country to stay in hospital; we lost a lot of family. We knew diabetes was a sickness but we didn’t know how to control it. And that really hit us; people wanted to know more about their health. “In 2013 we invited UFPA to do the first diabetes screening in Yiyili community [halfway between Halls Creek and Fitzroy, Western Australia]. The screenings are great. You get the results on the same day and it feels good to get the thumbs up. But it’s good to know if there is something wrong too, because there is always help available. We’re looking out for each other. “Education is the key to preventing diabetes. People are learning more about what is in the food and drinks at the shop. After training to be a cultural carer with UFPA, I realised that too much sugar is one of the things causing diabetes in our mob. “It boils down to what we eat and how we live our lives. Living off the land, going out bush, looking for tucker and hunting like our traditional ancestors, that’s important for our health. Everything is out there to make good, healthy meals. “As a cultural carer, I go out and talk to my mob. We yarn about food and exercise, and I teach people the ways to prevent and manage diabetes. I talk
Marjorie with fellow community member Kamus. With his understanding about diabetes, which has affected his mother, Kamus has been able to support Marjorie. Photo credit: Richard Wainwright
LEARN out more at > Find www.caritas.org.au/wellness Take a closer look at life in Yiyili community, watch our interviews with Len, Marjorie and Kamus, and learn about the Australian Indigenous Wellness Program. #143 SUMMER 2015 | 7
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PALMS International Volunteering STRONG RELATIONSHIPS, MUTUAL DEVELOPMENT Communities in East Timor, Ethiopia, Kenya, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea and Samoa seek your help to build a better world together. Palms is looking for teachers, health and community development workers, administrators, agricultural workers and other skilled volunteers to share their skills and experience with its vibrant community partners. Support local workers to build resilient, sustainable and inclusive community organisations working to make justice, peace and equality a reality for all.
“My reward was vocational and interpersonal fulfilment like never before.” – Returned Palms Volunteer
For 55 years Palms Australia has assisted communities to recruit, prepare and support Australians who volunteer to share their lives and skills. Palms’ community partners believe this approach, more than anything else, builds self-reliance and supports sustainable development.
2016 POSITIONS CLOSE SOON! Just want to discuss the possibilities? Please contact palms@palms.org.au or call 02 9518 9551.
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Let our 2015 Advent Calendar prepare your family for Christmas. With our Advent calendar, Caritas Australia invites you to build your own Advent wreath, lighting candles as you read God’s story and join our global family in a celebration of peace and justice around the world. Download a version for your home, parish, classroom, or smartphone from www.caritas.org.au/advent
THE PACIFIC: BOUGAINVILLE
BUILDING OUR COMMUNITY A decade since Bougainville gained its autonomy under the government of Papua New Guinea, this small island, to the north of the Solomon Islands archipelago, is firmly on a path to independence. With a referendum planned for the coming years, the people of Bougainville are building their island home anew. Following a traumatic decade of bloody conflict that ensued from the closure of the Panguna copper mine in 1989, Bougainville has attained an uneasy peace. Responding to the crisis just 1,500 kilometres from our shores, Caritas Australia has worked alongside communities since 1998 as they rebuild and reconcile with tenacity and strength. Since the end of the violence, we have expanded our programs to include health, environmental justice, and a focus on vocational skills to help women and men generate income. Today our skills development program empowers the children of Bougainville’s conflict to build peace and opportunities that will endure.
“Peace is built every day. It is built every day with our work, with our life, with our love, with our closeness, with our loving one another!” – Pope Francis, meeting with the Peace Factory Foundation, Vatican City, 11 May 2015.
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ACT Australian aid is at its lowest level in six decades. Join us in calling on the Australian Government to maintain its commitment to overseas aid at www.caritas.org.au/australian-aid
Luke is proud to work alongside Caritas Australia in Bougainville, sharing his skills to build a just and peaceful future for his island home.
“ARCHITECTS OF THEIR OWN CHANGE” Maria Morui has been a Caritas Australia staff member in Bougainville since 2011. Her local knowledge and her memory of the island’s tortured history allow her to connect with communities and understand their goals. “I remember my first encounter with Caritas during the rehabilitation … I’ve seen a lot here,” says Maria. “I’m very proud of our communities. Today our skills training is very popular. People approach Caritas to ask for our training. I want to focus on people’s strengths so our communities will be architects of their own change.” One of these architects is Luke, a community member who works as a trainer for Caritas Australia. “Before working with Caritas Australia, I had some construction work with local companies,” Luke recalls. “Today I am passionate about working with Caritas. I have skills to share and I am very interested in training people.” Luke recently trained a group of 20 young men and five young women from one of Bougainville’s most remote and inaccessible communities to make concrete bricks using local materials such as sand and gravel. Afterwards, the young trainees formed their own company. “They are making bricks, and building with bricks. They have a construction contract and they are able to earn an income. “I want to see many more people involved in this program. I want to see that many people know how to use their own, sustainable products … and know how to build so they can help themselves.” Working with Caritas Australia has empowered Luke to shape a safe and happy life for himself and his family. “My life has changed since I began the training,” Luke says. “I have had many invitations to continue my work with Caritas and many contracts to work on private and government building sites. Now I have a good source of income for my family, and I’ve built us a new family home.” For Maria, the success of Caritas Australia’s brick-making training is simple: “Once somebody can make bricks, they can make anything!”
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SOUTHEAST ASIA: CAMBODIA
FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH At Caritas Australia, we take a strengths-based approach (SBA) to our long-term development programs. This approach is based on the principle that everyone has inherent God-given dignity and worth; every member of a community has the right and capacity to participate in building their community’s future. In our development programs, we identify and build on the strengths, abilities and assets that communities possess. This is asset-based community development (ABCD). The intention is always to make best use of the existing resource base and ensure that the community is driving its own development process. In this process, a community starts by mapping its assets. Recently ABCD was introduced in our Cambodia office as an important element to be incorporated in the design of programs for communities. At a workshop, an international expert from South Africa led ten of our Cambodian partner organisations through the ABCD process. Also present were Kath Rosic and Chanthea Nou, two of Caritas Australia’s Asia Programs staff from our national office. All participants worked together (top right), embracing the ABCD method by mapping their assets and creating together a vision for the future that built on community strengths. Then ABCD was piloted by two of our partners, each working with a different community at a two-day workshop. Community members put their heads together to map their assets – social networks, relationships, labour, livestock, roads, water, fertile soil, and so on.
“Due to this ABCD approach the community and I know a lot about resources which are available in our community.” – Sotheara, vet, September 2015
They created a ‘leaky bucket’ diagram (page 11, top) to identify their many assets (top section), and their expenses (bottom section), such as healthcare, housing and education. Creating a collective diagram of their assets and expenses enabled community members to realise that all are jointly responsible for sustainable development, and need to identify their priorities together. During the collaboration, community members expressed their resolve to create the changes they desire, recognising their capacity to be active agents for development in their own community. Dialogue and reflection led to a shared vision for the future, and the start of a three-year plan for development, firmly based in their many shared strengths. Community members now share a vision for their future and will work together to realise their goals.
“I am very happy to attend this group discussion because I can express my opinion through drawing pictures and then I present my group results in plenary group. Importantly, I have learnt a lot about community assets and development activities in my community, so I wish to participate with my villagers to develop my community.” — Sokhom, 15-year-old student, August 2015
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SOUTHEAST ASIA: CAMBODIA
Caritas Kitchen partnership Holding a Caritas Kitchen event means more than just fundraising.
“Now I am brave to express my opinions during small group discussion on the ABCD approach, by drawing the existing resources in community and exchanging ideas with other group members.” – Chenda, village volunteer and widow responsible for a family of five, August 2015.
It’s an opportunity to bring people together around the kitchen table to enjoy good food and learn how our global family can enjoy the right to a future with food security. Caritas Kitchen could not have happened without the partnership of CCI Personal Insurance, the inaugural sponsor of Caritas Kitchen. CCI Personal Insurance has supported the development of resources for Caritas Kitchen events — recipe books, invitations, place mats, and more — and is helping to promote this initiative. Through this partnership, CCI Personal Insurance donates an additional $10 to Caritas Australia for every new CCI home, contents, car, landlord or caravan insurance policy purchased. See catholicinsurance.org.au/caritas, or call 1300 655 003. Register to hold your own Caritas Kitchen today at www.caritas.org.au/kitchen
AWARDS FOR CAMBODIA OFFICE Caritas Australia’s office in Cambodia is known as Australian Catholic Relief (ACR). In October, ACR received an award in recognition of its work to alleviate extreme poverty — the Leadership Award on Rural Development and Poverty Reduction from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (generally known as ASEAN). ACR’s programs have provided a wide range of support since the end of the Cambodian civil war in 1979. Programs have included emergency support, reconstruction after the civil war, and community development programs to increase food security, prevent HIV and AIDS, improve health, water supplies and sanitation, and build community capacity.
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