Posted on 7 July 2017
Thousands of generous supporters, including schools and parishes across Australia, joined in solidarity with the poorest communities globally in 2016, to help Caritas Australia raise more than $11 million nationally during Project Compassion.
Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising campaign brings together thousands of Australians to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.
Students from Delany College, Granville, raised more than $2000 for Project Compassion (from left): Year 11 students Hilary Lim, Divashna Kumar and Elisar Salameh busy counting the coins. Photo: Diocese of Parramatta.
Caritas Australia’s CEO, Paul O’Callaghan, said he had been overwhelmed by the generous response from an army of supporters in every state and territory in 2016.
“For 50 years, Project Compassion has enabled Caritas to transform the lives of millions of people,” Mr O’Callaghan said. “I have seen the impact of this work first hand in communities like Timor Leste, the Philippines and Nepal and I’m humbled by this enormous response from our supporters.
“This money will enable Caritas to continue our life-changing work with those most marginalised in more than 30 countries globally and within Australia.”
Today Project Compassion is one of Australia’s largest humanitarian fundraising and awareness-raising campaigns.
“We now look forward to the next 50 years and the journey ahead,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
In 2016, Caritas Australia’s six feature stories, from Malawi, Laos, Papua New Guinea, Australia, Cambodia and India, demonstrate how education, training and sharing knowledge empowers individuals and communities to transform their futures and create lasting change.
The theme for this year’s Project Compassion, ‘Learning more, creating change, celebrated the power of learning, and the many ways in which Caritas Australia is working with local partners around the world to provide vital learning and renewed hope to those most marginalised.
Every dollar makes a difference
With your support, Caritas Australia can help the poorest of the poor become self-sufficient so they don’t need to rely on charity. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductible. To make a donation click here
Source: Caritas Australia.
AT LEFT: Students at Our Lady of the Nativity Primary, Lawson, held a Project Compassion fundraiser on St Patrick’s Day in 2016. Photo: Diocese of Parramatta.
