Being part of the Edmund Rice family

On the morning of her grandfather’s passing, Miss Lana de Palma was on the other side of the world, thousands of miles from her family who were mourning the loss of their patriarch. Yet, as the CBC teacher joined in prayer with new friends in another continent, she felt remarkably at peace, reassured by the love and faith of the Edmund Rice community who provided comfort in her time of sorrow.

Miss de Palma had just spent two weeks travelling through South America with the group of 21 staff from Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) schools from all over Australia who now shared her bereavement, visiting schools inspired by the teachings of Jesus and the inspiration of Edmund Rice.

The trip was an initiative of Edmund Rice Education Beyond Borders (EREBB) and aimed at promoting global solidarity and offering a deeper understanding of the four Touchstones that are the foundation of the EREA charter: Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community and Justice and Solidarity.

The first stop for the group was Buenos Aires in Argentina, with a visit to the exclusive Colegio Cardenal Newman where the visitors saw manicured playing fields, excellent facilities and students committed to their education and faith.

“The sense of pride and service was very prevalent. Every day the senior students host a prayer session in the chapel, singing songs and reflecting on their faith. We had the overwhelming feeling that this was a special place,” Miss de Palma said.

They were about to discover first-hand one of the reasons why the Edmund Rice school felt so exceptional. From Cardenal Newman, the group left the affluent neighbourhood behind, travelling through areas of substandard housing and high crime to the Parish Institute of San Pedro Claver.

In stark contrast to the impressive campus just down the highway, this school operated without salaries, heaters, blackboards or external assistance. Many of the boys and girls were involved in gang violence, and drug use, teenage pregnancy and homelessness were almost inevitable. However, with assistance from resources provided by Cardenal Newman, slowly and surely conditions have improved, enabling students to feel much more empowered to take control of their education and turn their lives around.

“It’s not just about classroom academic teaching in Edmund Rice schools, it’s about a whole community approach to the idea of inclusivity,” said Miss de Palma.

This wonderful commitment to justice and solidarity highlighted the power of standing in fellowship with those who are marginalised, and of building relationships to help make the world a better place.

Miss de Palma and her companions travelled on to Lima in Peru, visiting Fe y Alegría 26 just days after the CBC Peru Immersion students, and then continued further up the coast to the tiny community of Chimbote, which has been significantly affected by natural disaster and poverty.

At Colegio Mundo Mejor middle school, Miss de Palma witnessed students committed to providing service, volunteering daily at community centres for the disadvantaged. She visited a ‘homework club’ in the slums, where students from Mundo Mejor assisted local children with their studies,sitting at long tables in a dank and dark room with very few books which formed their library.

“They kept telling me they liked this activity because they know that all children deserve an education, regardless of their social status. It was inspiring,” said Miss de Palma.

At the junior school, Miss de Palma found it hard to fight back tears as the excited children welcomed the group with a guard of honour and homemade Australian flags.

“They were so happy to meet us. We gave each of them a gift of a juice box, apple and chocolate biscuit, which was nothing to us, but it meant the absolute world to these kids. El Arenal was a short visit but it is the school that has left the biggest impression on me. I couldn’t stop thinking how these people are so stricken with poverty but so rich in happiness.”

A teacher at CBC for five years and an alumnus of Seton Catholic College, Miss de Palma had commenced the South American trip with a healthy understanding of service and Gospel Values, yet the outgoing ex-newsreader was

humbled at the incredible selfless acts of kindness and generosity that were part of the daily lives of the people she met. The network of schools around the globe continuing the mission of the founder of the Christian Brothers has left her with hope and inspiration to plant the seeds of change.

“I feel rejuvenated with my teaching, and proud to be a part of the Edmund Rice family. Liberating Education isn’t just a Touchstone that applies to students and schools, but also to the wider community. It’s much more than what we read about in the EREA Charter. I strongly feel that CBC Fremantle is on the right path to making the world a better place, and the South American experience reassured me of that.”