PROJECT COMPASSION FUNDRAISING APPEAL - UPDATE

Thank you to all students and their families who have supported our Project Compassion appeal this year.  For every dollar raised, the House group earns 1 point to go towards their total for the House Cup trophy.

Please see below for an update of current points tally (current as at 22 March 2019)

1st Place - Treacy (127 points)
2nd Place - Chisholm (119 points)
3rd Place - Mackillop (112 points)
4th Place - Wellington (94 points)
5th Place - Janssen (74 points)
6th Place - Clare (67 points)


HOW CAN OUR DONATIONS HELP?

Each week of Lent, Caritas profile another person who always gives 100%.

Here is one story about how your donations change lives.

For more stories go to lent.caritas.org.au/

MICHAELA FROM ALICE SPRINGS, AUSTRALIA

Twenty-one year-old Michaela is helping to build a social enterprise for people with chronic illnesses at The Purple House in Alice Springs. Featured in Project Compassion 2014, the First Australian-run Wellbeing Program, uses its profits to connect and care for dialysis patients who are far from home.

As a Purple House trainee, Michaela completed a Certificate IV in Business Management. She was also recently promoted from administration trainee to permanent employee, working on The Wellbeing Program.

The young Alywarr woman cares for patients as they receive dialysis and helps them to feel at home and remain hopeful during treatment. Patients in turn pass on traditional knowledge to Michaela.

The program is run by the Western Desert Nganampa Walytja Palyantjaku Tjutaku Aboriginal Corporation, with support from Caritas Australia.

First Australians are twice as likely to experience chronic kidney disease, and four times more likely to die from it than other Australians*.

With the help of staff like Michaela, the Aboriginal-controlled service gives patients the opportunity to stay connected with their culture. They do this through traditional healing practices and income-generating activities, such as making bush balms and soaps.

Profits are invested back into supporting patients receiving remote care and help to get people on dialysis back on country.

In addition to completing her studies, Michaela has obtained a driver’s licence, is building her leadership skills running workshops solo.

“Hope means having something to look forward to.
I enjoy building relationships with the patients and learning from them.   If we keep our culture alive we can feel strong.”

Miss Lisa Christensen
Religious Education, Identity and Mission Coordinator