Social Services Several lines in a reflection titled “The Paradox of Our Time” say …we buy more but enjoy less; we have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time; we have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values; we’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life; we build more computers to hold more information but we communicate less and less; these are the times of big men and small character. The De La Salle Social Service commitment is to provide our students, staff and community the opportunity to help others in whatever way possible. During the year there have been a myriad of events and activities, both small and large, inviting participation from our community. We are a community rich with good intentions and generously donate financially to Mission Action Day, and non-financially to the Winter Warmers Appeal (clothing), Social Justice Mass (food), Blood Bank, Cancer Appeals, Homeless World Soccer and the Christmas Toy Appeal, to name a few. Our challenge is to move “outside the square” and “Walk in someone else’s shoes”. This is addressed by offering programs such as “Coolies” (India) to the Year 12 students, Papua New Guinea to the Year 11 students and the Philippines exchange to the Year 9 and 10 students. Each program enables our students to physically and spiritually experience the lifestyle and culture of that community and to see things from another perspective. Furthermore, we are trying to address some of the points raised in the reflection above – that is, to enjoy and appreciate what we have; to find the time to be involved; to value what life and other people have to offer; to communicate with other people; and to be “Men for Others”. In time, we will offer other opportunities to the De La Salle community to extend our service to those who may need it. Our intention is to put into practice our goodwill and ideas. Mr Richard Komiazyk Social Services Coordinator
The Coolies Trip The De La Salle Coolies trip takes a group of Year 12 students who have just finished their exams and, instead of their enjoying the “normal” schoolies activities at somewhere like Surfers Paradise, transports them to India, where they do volunteer work at projects run by the De La Salle Brothers A “Coolie” (variously spelled Cooly, Kuli, Quli, etc.) is a historical term for manual labourers from Asia. Most days at Kadalisai were spent lugging bricks, sand and screening to the roof and helping the bricklayers construct the walls. Building progressed slowly, but we all plodded along. Petite ladies in beautifully coloured saris cruised by us constantly, carrying 20kg of sand on their heads. They do it for 12 hours a day and $3 pay. After 10 days in Nagapattinum it was time to say goodbye to Uvari, Doss, Xavier and the 11 Junior Brothers and head to RTU at G. Kalliputti. RTU was set up by Englishman Br James Kimpton, in 1974. It started as a simple outreach centre for the poorest of the poor in Tamil Nadu and is now a kinder, primary and secondary school, medical clinic, food production plant, building material producer and administration centre for the region. It is surrounded by the town of G. Kalliputti, and small villages that RTU has helped build from scratch. There is no hot water and a bucket is used for a shower.
After a tour of RTU we set off to work. The process was very simple. First we helped a family empty their palm hut of all possessions. Things were moved to a nearby space on the ground and stayed there until construction was completed, about 10 days later. Once empty, we took to the hut with a knife and brute strength. We slashed at straw bindings and ripped off palms. The hut came apart easily. Maybe too easily! The people whom the Coolies help are the poorest of the poor. They are truly destitute. There is no mattress, no desk, and no lounge suite or kitchen table. There is no food and no pantry. There are not even any clothes or toys for the children. When we move them there are containers of water, some pots, cooking utensils, work tools and a floor made of cow dung. Being able to see a family of four’s entire possessions, spread out in a space no bigger than a double bed, makes you re-evaluate your understanding of life. My thoughts provided no solutions to the dilemma of poverty and injustice, but if a little bit of difference can be made in some way, then that is a start. Maybe lots of people making a little bit of difference can be enough? Mr Pepe DiCiccio
