http://vinnies.org.au/files/NAT/Overseas/Assist%20a%20Student/AssistaStudentNewsletter2008

ASSIST A STUDENT V O LUME 1 , I SSUE 1

SUPPORTER NEWSLETTER

2008

Dear Supporters, I recently travelled overseas to experience first hand the abject poverty that exists and the work of the Assist a Student program in trying to overcome it.

My initial observations were of smells, sights and sounds that I had never encountered beyond pictures in papers and vision on television. I’d managed to separate myself from it. The classic ‘out of sight, out of mind’ scenario.

Well, here it was, in my face and it really hit home. It is an experience you can never fully prepare for.

Poverty is very real and to experience it first hand was very eye opening. It’s challenging to see people without life’s basic necessities. It’s something we tend to see as a right here in Australia and perhaps take for granted.

Assist a Student Beneficiaries looking at their new school books

In spite of the great physical and practical need, there was immense inner strength, a rugged resilience and a strong devotion to faith.

donor, I was proud of the valuable support that we are making in the lives of people we will never meet and whose stories we may never hear.

With so many on or below the poverty line, it’s easy to see how one could feel swallowed up and overwhelmed with the extreme level of poverty that exists here.

In a small rural village we met a young man who had been supported from high school to university. Abandoned by his father, his mother worked extremely hard to provide for the family, though they just could not make ends meet. Through the Assist a Student program, he is now in his second year of university studying business.

He also works the rice patties that surround the entire village to provide for the family. When he graduates, he will have qualifications for a good job that will secure a future for himself and his family.

Despite only visiting for a short while, the family welcomed us with open arms. They expressed unreserved gratitude and respect to those that have extended the hand of generosity from so far.

Assist a Student Beneficiaries at home in their village

Amidst this great need, is real hope. A hope inspired by the kindness and spirit of our fellow St Vincent de Paul Society volunteers. Burdened with the enormity of need, our local volunteers continue to serve with great love.

Whilst funds are limited, they give what they can. They continue to give of themselves.

Seventy dollars in Australia can buy us a shirt, pants or a concert ticket. But for our assisted students, it provides the opportunity to break through the cycle of poverty.

One of the greatest gifts we can provide is education.

Arming young people with knowledge, skills and choice is a powerful gift. It’s a gift that keeps on giving for the rest of their lives – and that is priceless.

During my travels I met many Assist a Student beneficiaries . A resounding response was a profound appreciation for the generosity of Australian donors.

As an Australian St Vincent de Paul volunteer and fellow

What is certain is that our journey continues still. It was a unanimous feeling amongst my fellow travellers that we were filled with a renewed enthusiasm for the St Vincent de Paul Society and its works.

Experiencing the legacy of Assist a Student first hand was moving and reinforced in me the immense value of this program. I could not convey the appreciation of the beneficiaries better than the students themselves who extend to you all a heartfelt, “Thank you.” It is a simple gesture but I hope you will feel the love, grace and sincerity to which it was extended to me on your behalf.

Alicia Webster, Broken Bay Youth Representative

ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA. ABN: 68 879 107 149.

Alicia (far right) with Assist a Student Beneficiaries

WEBSITE: W W W . V I N N I E S . O R G . A U

Thank you · Khop Khun Mak · Shukriya · Jae Zu Din Da De · Danyavad My name is Mehris, I am 18 years old.

I’m from Pakistan. I’ve been studying here for ten years and I am very grateful that you have supported me for ten years.

Now I am joining college. I hope you will continue to support me at college also.

I am very thankful to you.

Thank you so much.

Mehris.

Dear Supporter, I am studying accounting at university. My parents work at the sugar factory. I would like to thank my supporters in Australia. I hope that the Assist a Student will continue in the future to help other students who are not able to continue their study.

The Assist a Student helped me to buy books for my study. On behalf of other students, I would like to thank the St Vincent de Paul Society for their kind assistance. May God always bless all supporters in Australia.

Erni, Myanmar

Where we assist students My name is Premkumar and I am 9 years old. I live in India. My father died when I was two years old. Since then, my mother, me and my three brothers and sisters have been helped by St Vincent de Paul. Our family is adopted by them. We are very grateful.

My mother works as a maid. I like to go to the Church. The St Vincent de Paul people are there.

Thank you for helping me to go to school.

I love my school and going there. I study English and many other things.

Tangeyoo

Distribution of funds 2007 In the past 12 months a record 4,685 students were assisted. Your donations were distributed as follows:

I am very thankful because I was given the opportunity to continue my studies at the university.

I hope this kind of assistance can be given to other brothers and sisters who are not been able to continue their study.

May the Lord bless you. Albertus, Indonesia

EDITOR’S NOTE: For most of the students assisted by this program, English is their second language. These letters have been left in the writer’s English to show the effort each writer has made to convey their thanks to all who support this program.

Further information about Assist a Student can be found at:

WWW.VINNIES.ORG.AU

Terima kasih · Ko rabwa · Salamat · Mehrbani · Sulang · Bhala Hove My name is Emma-Lyn and I am 11. I live on an island in the Philippines where we fish a lot. I have to catch a boat to go to school. Thank you for the good help you give me to go to school. One day I would like to be a scientist. Thank you for helping me to go to school.

Even I earned money by working as a mazdoor during the weekly holidays, I couldn’t pay fees to the college.

Your timely help is turned my life and study further.

Thanking you for the help extended to me. Anto, India 14

Dear Donor, Before anything else, I would like to greet you a happy and pleasant day. I hope you are in good condition. I have been studying very hard and school is quite difficult now because I’m in grade 6 and am a graduating student.

There are so many projects, examinations and activities but it is okay, it is part of my studies.

Thank you every day for your support.

Farna Papua New Guinea

I am happy at my school and I have a lot of friends. All of my friends are Catholic. The teachers are very good. I receive the Assist a Student program and I am very thankful. I don’t know what would happen to me without your help. Gods blessings for you.

Lucia, East Timor 12

Dear kind donors, I am Nittaya, aged 14. I am living with my Grandfather. My parents all died from Aids since I was in Grade 2 (now I am in Secondary level 2, when my parents died I was 8 years of age). My Grandmother also died very recently from Diabetes and Renal Failure when I finished my Secondary level 1.

My only lovely Grandfather is the only one who is everything to me. He gives me strength and takes care of me. But now, he is lying in bed without knowing the cause of the illness.

I would like to thank you from the St Vincent de Paul Society for the chance that you have given to me. I can promise you that I will carefully spend every baht and satangs with utmost care. I will no longer have anything to write further, only a big thank you.

And I hope that you will be kind to me and to Thai students in need in the future. May all the people that you meet love you always. May you be filled with joy and happiness all along.

With high respectfully yours, Nittaya, Thailand

Yes, I want to Assist a Student today I am an individual assisting a student; OR I am assisting a student on behalf of a group

$70 $140 $210 OR $ ____________ My cheque is enclosed, payable to “St Vincent de Paul Society” or

Mastercard Visa Expiry __ / __ Name (of Group or individual): _______________________ Debit my credit card: Contact name (for Group): __________________________ Contact phone Number: ____________________________ Name on card: _______________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ Signature: __________________________________________ Suburb: ______________ State: _____ Postcode: _______ Thank you for your support. Donations over $2.00 are tax deductible. You will receive Email: __________________________________________ a receipt, certificate of appreciation and an annual newsletter for your generosity.

Contact information for your State or Territory can be found at:

WWW.VINNIES.ORG.AU

Focus on Indonesia Indonesia consists of 17,508 islands with only about 6,000 being inhabited. The five largest islands are Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, New Guinea and Sulawesi. Indonesia shares land borders with Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, Singapore, Philippines and Australia. Indonesia’s size, tropical climate and geography support the world’s second highest level of biodiversity. It’s flora and fauna is a mixture of Asian and Australasian species.

Social Issues Indonesia's history has been turbulent, with challenges posed by natural disasters, like the recent earthquake in Yogyakarta, separatism, a democratization process, and periods of rapid economic change.

How does the St Vincent de Paul Society operate in Indonesia through Assist a Student?

Aim: To assist students who are not able to support themselves in education. Helping them to achieve a brighter future so they can obtain work and assist their family. The top priority is towards the very poor families and for those students that show the potential to benefit from the program. In addition to the overseas donations, money is also raised from local volunteers of the Society.

The main focus is Junior Secondary School (Yr 7 – 9) and High School (Yr.10 and 12). While 90% of young people are enrolled in primary education, only 60% continue onto Junior Secondary education.

The scholarship money is given out by Society volunteers at various times throughout the year. This is to ensure that the student’s education needs are met as the school year proceeds. The money is given to the school on the parents’ behalf. In the year that has just concluded 152 Primary students, 152 Secondary students and 289 High School students were assisted.

Indonesia at a glance …

Population (thousands) Life expectancy at birth (years) Total adult literacy rate Annual No. of under 5 deaths (thousands) Infant mortality rate (under 1)

222,781 68 90% 162 28%

These are 2004/05 statistics from the Unicef website

Br Doug Walsh with Assist a Student Beneficiaries in Indonesia

At present, many students are not able to continue onto College as the fees are well above the funds supplied with an Assist a Student scholarship. The Society is looking at ways to provide special College scholarships allocated to the brightest of these students.

Recent visits to Assist a Student beneficiaries Story 1: In this family the father died suddenly leaving his wife with two children and the added responsibility of caring for his mother and her mother. The eldest child has gone to Jakarta for work. The mother gains seasonal work in a 3 month period annually. During this time she receives only two week’s work at 13,000 rupees a day ($2). The St Vincent De Paul Society supports the family. The younger son has just completed senior high school. He dreams of going to University but the need of the family will force him to find work.

Story 2: A mother works as a servant to a wealthy family. She receives a very small wage for this work ($4.60 per month). Thirteen years ago her husband received an injury and is a paraplegic. He is completely dependant on the family, lying down most of the time as they cannot afford a wheelchair. The St Vincent de Paul Society has helped renovate the house as well as meeting medical expenses. The youngest boy who was 3 months old when his father was injured is in Grade 8 and benefits from the Assist a Student Program. Their eldest son died suddenly and a daughter who has graduated from Senior High School is looking for work.

Br Doug Walsh, National Projects Officer

Frequently Asked Questions Can we choose the student we assist? The students supported are chosen by the St Vincent de Paul Society of our partner countries. We do not interfere with that process.

Scholarships are allocated according to needs across the countries to ensure a fair allocation of the funds.

Can we choose the country of the student? We distribute scholarships as fairly as possible between the partner countries.

They are distributed according to the need and waiting lists.

Are there administration costs? One of the program’s strongest and most attractive goals is that administration costs are kept to an absolute minimum to ensure nothing is deducted from each $70 donation. Therefore, the program is kept as simple as possible.

How is the scholarship money used? The money enables students to continue their education or training for one year. It is spent on supporting school or course fees, uniforms, books and materials.

I would like to support a girl, is that possible? To maintain low administration costs of the program students are randomly matched with donors. It is not possible to allocate preferences.

Why does it take time to receive the certificate? Sometimes, for many varied reasons, it takes longer than expected for the Society in Australia to receive the student names from the overseas country and this may delay the production and distribution of certificates.

Further information is available at www.vinnies.org.au