By Kerry Stone
Project Compassion concludes with the financial year and, as donations come in from our Parishes and Schools, we see the great efforts made to raise awareness and funds. Caritas Ks in Echuca as a whole community event has become a tradition!
With their all-day Caritas Ks event in the centre of town, the Parish community, St Mary’s Primary School and St Joseph’s Secondary College, all put their compassion into action by walking in solidarity with those who have to travel many kilometres each day for water, firewood, to get to school, market or a health clinic, for example. School groups, couples, families and inpiduals arrived at various intervals during the day to walk or run their laps.
A 1000-litre container of water was set up in the Church forecourt. Pastoral Associate, Christine Sebire, explained to all student groups that this could be delivered to her farm (not on town water) for $11 whenever it was needed. How lucky we are!
For women and girls, in many parts of Africa and Asia, the average distance walked each day for water is six kilometres, carrying 15-20 litres. The distance around the Church block is 600 metres so, ten laps was equal to six kilometres! This set a particular personal challenge for many walkers.
In addition, a small cooking fire was kept burning to remind walkers that women and girls also had to walk, not only for water, but also for firewood. This meant walkers could fill a bucket or pick up a bundle of sticks to really engage in solidarity.
Justice leaders from St Joseph’s ran a cake stall and handed out Project Compassion brochures to passers-by, ensuring more people in Echuca now know about the work of Caritas Australia.
Christine Sebire and the Parish Justice Team put in a huge effort with great support from a number of dedicated parishioners. Sincere thanks is extended to all. The event was a big success on a number of levels: raising awareness amongst participants of how lucky we are in this country; raising awareness amongst the wider Echuca community of the transformative work of Caritas Australia; building the community spirit in what is already a very active parish; and, of course, raising much needed funds for Caritas to continue transforming lives.
