Our Mercy Works Board Chair, Joe Zabar​, has written about the importance of giving aid, and being “part of a Pacific family”. He shares his opinion on Australia’s need to step up and give more aid here: 

By Joe Zabar

Rarely has the issue of Australia’s commitment to aid and development been so critical to a government’s first term agenda.

Australia’s Foreign Minister, Senator Penny Wong has visited the Pacific region twice since being sworn in, demonstrating the intentions of the newly elected Albanese Labor government to strengthen Australia’s relationship with its nearest neighbours. While senior level engagement between the Australian government and its neighbours is essential, so too will be the action the Albanese government takes to help its neighbours address the many well publicised concerns of climate change, regional security, social and economic development.

As a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI), Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2021 was around 0.22%, well short of the UN target of 0.7%. The falloff in Australia’s ODA over the past decade from a high of 0.36% of GNI in 2012, together with an absence of leadership on issues of importance to its neighbours has impacted Australia’s influence in the region.

The previous government’s “Step Up” initiative was unfortunately too little and too late. More critically it had the appearance of desperation, a government realising that its position in the region was under threat. Former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison told journalists in 2019 that the Pacific “Step Up” was part of “refocussing our international efforts on our own region, in our own backyard and making sure we can make the biggest possible difference”.

The problem with that narrative was that it reinforced a perception with our neighbours that our engagement with them occurs when it is in our interest to do so. And clearly this wasn’t missed by Fiji Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama who tweeted that “Fiji is not anyone’s backyard — we are a part of a Pacific family” during Penny Wong’s recent visit to the country.

Prime Minister Bainimarama’s tweet about his nation being part of the Pacific family is instructive as to how we must see and use Australia’s $4.5b aid budget. ODA, often viewed as soft diplomacy, is an important feature of international relations. However, to think of ODA as merely a financially-based relational transaction is to misunderstand its true value and purpose.

ODA signals our values and priorities. And for governments that means they must be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.

There is no denying that national interest is a key determinant of why government’s give aid. However, aid can also be given simply for the intrinsic value we place on the wellbeing of communities in our region, that is funding projects which have no other benefit than to assist the communities in receipt of that support.

We should do this because it is the right thing to do, not because we have a strategic interest in doing so. That is what being part of the family means, in many ways it’s about serving the common good ahead a perception of self-interest.

The Asia Pacific region has some of the world’s poorest and most disadvantaged communities. According to the World Bank’s Human Capital Index (HCI) 2020, a child born in Timor-Leste today will be 45 percent as productive when she grows up as she could be if she enjoyed complete education and full health. The HCI for Papua New Guinea stands at 43. To put these figures into some context, a child born in Australia today will be 77 percent as productive when she grows up as she could be if she enjoyed complete education and full health.

There is much work to be done in addressing the issues affecting our nearest neighbours in the Asia/Pacific region. It is naive to suggest that the path forward is simple and straightforward. It is not. However, there are many NGOs actively supporting communities in areas of health, education, skills development and nutrition who with better funding could do more to improve the wellbeing of people across the Asia/Pacific region. This could be achieved by the swift implementation of the government’s election commitment to increase the funding available through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP) and by making the program more easily accessible to NGOs.

Supporting our regional family through increased aid and development will be important, but so too is the respect we show to the leaders of those nations which surround us. If we are wanting to be truly part of the Asia/Pacific family, then we need to demonstrate our commitment to the region as a whole and through the lens of the common good.

Joe Zabar is the Chair of Mercy Works Ltd, the community development and relief organisation of the Sisters of Mercy in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

This article first appeared in Eureka Street 

Thousands across the remote region of Maucatar in Timor-Leste face extreme hunger and malnutrition

HELP SAVE A LIFE WITH OUR JUNE TAX APPEAL

Timor-Leste remains one of the world’s poorest countries. Maucatar is a remote mountainous area where there is chronic malnutrition, high mortality rates, especially high maternal and baby death rates (38.1 of every 1,000 births under the age of five). These communities have little or no access to clean water, sanitation, roads, education or infrastructure.

For the 13,240 people who live across 22 villages here, there are no homes with running water, bathroom or toilet facilities and most villages do not have electricity. Families here live off what they can grow and find in the forest.

It is here Mercy Works partners with the inspiring Hospitaller Sisters of Mercy to provide a maternity clinic to care for, to educate and to conduct outreach work in remote villages.

Of the 226 antenatal mothers seen at Maucatar Maternity Clinic in 2021, 42.9% were severely malnourished and 76% of postnatal mothers were undernourished.

This chronic malnourishment leads to many other diseases, but because of poor nourishment in lactating mothers, the incidence of stunted growth in children is extremely high.

These Sisters SAVE LIVES and have developed a project to improve the nutritional status of mothers and young children by providing extra protein through the distribution of eggs and egg-laying hens in the area.

Here, 40 families were given 2-3 hens. They learn to take care of and be responsible for their hens through training workshops and planning programs. According to the Sisters, by increasing their own home kitchen gardens these families can not only provide a healthier diet but also sell their eggs at the clinic.

“By raising egg-laying hens, families are able to raise their income and live a better quality of life, by developing their own home kitchen gardens.Many of the families have followed the lessons and advice we are teaching and demonstrating,” says Sr Gilbert Pathrose, who leads the initiative.

Chickens and eggs are considered one of the main sources of protein in the diet of the people of this mountainous area.

However, it has been difficult for the Sisters and staff to sustain chickens due to the colder weather. There are often predators in the forest areas hence the idea to farm the chickens with families.

“Having a good balanced diet for every member of the family will build a healthy community,” says Sr Gilbert. “Our goal is for every home to have a kitchen garden to cultivate nutritional foods, to help with breast feeding, to ensure mothers are able to have a healthy baby and a safe delivery and to potentially gain an income.

Mercy Works NEEDS YOUR HELP to continue this LIFE-SAVING work providing extra protein through the distribution of eggs through the maternity clinic. YOUR HELP will increase egg production as well as the number of egg laying chickens within the subdistrict.

 

The Sisters health assessments within the community and outreach include:

To see the life-saving impact of this wonderful project I urge you to read Leticia’s Story

TO DONATE CLICK THE LINK:

https://www.givenow.com.au/mercy-works-overseas-aid-fund

Thank you,

Sally Bradley RSM 
Executive Director   
Mercy Works

                                                              

Continue reading “LETICIA’S STORY” →

Today, we remember and acknowledge the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families and communities – The Stolen Generations.

We remind ourselves of the historical injustices that are an ongoing source of intergenerational trauma for First Nations Peoples.

The 24th anniversary of Sorry Day marks the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report – which was 25 years ago today. Sorry Day started the year after to recognise the atrocities that happened and to remember and acknowledge the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who were removed from their families.

Apologising is more than just saying sorry. It means coming together and taking the steps we need to take towards healing. We acknowledge that we still have a long way to go as a nation.

We are proud that our Mercy Works Board Member, Steven Collins, a Pitta Pitta man, is the first Aboriginal Liaison Officer at the Parliament of NSW.

“I see National Sorry Day as a way to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generation Survivors and how we all share in the healing process,” says Steven.

“Our Adelaide First Nations Advocacy Project, run by Ngadjuri woman Aunty Pat Waria-Read, shows the strength, resilience and the generosity of Stolen Generations survivors in ensuring the pain and trauma they suffered ends with them. Mercy Works works in partnership to ensure Aboriginal voices are heard and front and centre.”

Our Nunga Babies Watch Project has called upon the South Australian Government for immediate action to end another Stolen Generation from happening.

“We do not want ‘assimilation’ of our children to continue, nor do we want a silent continuation of the Stolen Generation,” says the statement.

The on-going intergenerational trauma related to the removal of Aboriginal children is well document. “Aboriginal leaders do not want to see this trauma continued,” says Aunty Pat.

You can read the FULL STATEMENT OF THE TAKING OF ABORIGINAL CHILDREN here

Our world is hurting right now and there are ways we can respond. We have an opportunity, in an election year, to advocate for a better path. Each voice really does count.

Mercy Works attended an inspiring Women Leaders Network Breakfast this morning thanks to Micah Australia with like minded women to hear and chat about the most pressing issues faced by our communities and how to be best equipped to respond.

With the theme the World We See, women leading change with their organisations on the ground in Africa, India and the Ukrainian Border – Kuki Rokhum, Asuntha Charles & Caroline Brennan – shared the impact the current devastation across the globe is having on women and children, via video.

Zali Steggall, OAM, Member for Warringah, stated we all need to engage politically, sharing this story:

“I was presented with some statistics in 2019 that young women aged between 18 and 25 were asked who would be interested in politics. And zero percent were interested in politics. And that horrifies me as a statistic.

“And to paraphrase someone else, if you’re not around the table you’re a meal, right? If you are not part of the decision making, decisions will be made that will impact your lives, that will impact the lives of your families and your children and you won’t have a say.

“So it’s not good enough, and I’m sorry no one gets a leave pass, it’s not good enough to sit on the sidelines.. we can all make a difference. Each voice counts.”

Tim Costello, AO, current Executive Director of Micah Australian and Chief Advocate of World Vision Australia, talked with passion about making sure our leaders commit to a safer world for all. Micah is calling on Australians to make a difference, especially in an election year. Their statement reads:

“When leaders choose war, it is the vulnerable who suffer. Pregnant mothers are forced to flee, children must abandon their education, families are left without food or shelter.

“Australia can help by opening our doors to people fleeing conflict and providing life-saving aid for those who stay.

“But in recent times we’ve accepted fewer refugees, we’ve become less generous with our aid. We can call on all parties to help make a safer world for all by committing to reverse cuts to our refugee program, to increase life-saving humanitarian aid to hotspots and to rebuild Australian Aid.”

Visiting St Joseph’s College, Mildura

What a treat it was to finally get out of the office and into a school last month!

Mercy Works was finally able to visit a school after two years of lock-outs due to Covid protocols, when we headed to Victoria and visited St Joseph’s College in Mildura after an 18-month negotiation period.

At the invitation of College Principal Marg Blythman and Paula Cox, Director of Catholic Identity, our Executive Director, Sally Bradley RSM, and Communications Coordinator, Jo Casamento, were able to make a three-day visit to conduct a series of presentations to both students and teachers on the work Mercy Works does; giving overviews on our projects, sharing our stories and presenting on Catholic Social Teaching.

Over three days we were able to present on a range of our projects, to create understanding around the work Mercy Works does both here in Australia and in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and the Philippines.

We shared stories from our Creating Change For Women Through Advocacy Project In Cebu with student leaders, informed Year 7 and 8 students of the work we do with young Indigenous girls of the same age who live and learn with their babies at the Cape York Girl Academy and the daughters of  women who work in prostitution who reside at Balay Banaag in The Philippines, as well as highlighting to the teachers at the college our First Nations Projects and the Emergency Relief Roll-out in Papua New Guinea last year. We also shared stories about our work at Katilosa Centre for the Disabled in Timor-Leste and our Baabayn Mothers Group Project in Mt Druitt.

On our last day, principal Marg Blythman presented Sr Sally with a cheque to go towards our projects. The Student Leadership team also generously presented us with a cheque from the fundraising they had completed throughout the year.

“Thank you so much Sally and Jo for being with us – and reminding us that we can be part of something bigger and greater than all of us,” said Marg handing over the cheque at the staff day.

Not only did we get the chance to meet the wonderful teachers and students and enjoy the incredible mercy hospitality of Mildura, but we were also able to get a sneak peek of the new Mercy Heritage Centre built at the School. And it is something to behold!

It is an incredible homage to the Mercy Sisters who first travelled and set up schools in Mildura as well as a tribute to their roots and connections back to our founder, Catherine McAuley, and the “boots on” mission of responding mercifully to those in need or suffering that has spread so far across the globe from Baggott Street, Ireland.

We enjoyed a good cup of tea, some scones and delicious treats in one of the heritage tea rooms with the Sisters of Mercy who live in Mildura.

It was a true reminder of the powerful steps that can be taken when children receive mercy from the primal source of school and can then set on their journey to lead a purposeful life.

“Sharing the work our partners and staff on the ground do, is our passion here at Mercy Works and one we are incredibly lucky to do,” said Sr Sally.

“We are incredibly grateful for the wonderful donation. It will go to reach some of vulnerable people and their communities both here in Australia and in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and The Philippines.”

The Mercy flame is strong!

“Books are the children of mind – I find myself reading every day. Reading is food for minds. It is medicine. In 2018, I challenged myself to finish thirty books – I happily finished 43.”

Now studying medicine at university, Abiha is busily purchasing textbooks and medical equipment and resources for her studies in medicine.

“My main goal is to be a doctor and a great neurologist,” she says. “I love medicine. Studying and working in medicine is like life. I want to help people live well.”

Abiha says she believes in the “power of education and medicine” after her “mother suffered trauma” and became paralysed because of her mental health. “Treatment and remedies are healing her,” she says.

*Abiha is not her real name 

Photos are not related to this post, but from our Mercy Connect Program.

“Because you can see how the mountains are being destroyed by mining and we are looking at the wounded mother Earth on top of the Hills.”

Bilum Bags

In Papua New Guinea, Bilum Bags are beautiful, traditional, and intricately handwoven string bags which have been crafted and used by people for hundreds of years to carry their most precious and essential belongings. They are at the heart of Papua New Guinean traditions and hold deep cultural and emotional significance.

Today on World Creativity and Innovation Day – which hopes to raise awareness around the importance of creativity and innovation with respect to advancing the United Nations sustainable development goals, also known as the “global goals” – we can’t think of anything more inspiring than the humble Bilum bag which is not only beautiful and practical but also provides momentum for economic growth in Papua New Guinea.

Pictured here are woman with their gorgeous Bilums for sale at the local markets.

Mercy Works aims to empower, support and guide women and girls towards a better future through many different programs and projects both here in Australia and in overseas in Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and The Philippines.

We have worked in partnership to provide training to women to give them the skills and knowledge to set up their own small to medium businesses to support themselves and their families. Women who have received this training are further supported to ‘Step Up’ by developing their basic skills further and empowering them through providing the tools and materials required to make their businesses sustainable into the future.

This year a total of thirty face masks were sewn by women who had never touched a manual sewing machine for years. Here, our In-Country Coordinator in PNG, Sr Maryanne Kolkia RSM, reveals a skilled woman who had trained in the 1970’s came forward and made herself available to train women from the village to sew. She was accompanied by her granddaughter assisting her to put the thread into the needle of the sewing machine.

Ten manual sewing machines were also repaired and fixed with parts replaced and the machine’s, which are 14 years old, cleaned.

A Women’s Group was formed in February with the aid of the Sisters of St Therese from one of the parishes in the diocese. Now 25 women meet regularly!

Raising awareness in the villages in Papua New Guinea is part of Mercy Work’s mission.

“The progress and developments of targeted activities within the community are positive,” says Sr Maryanne.

“Those engaged with Mercy Works shared positive stories of change and their life-changing experiences to others boosts their curiosity, enthusiasm and motivation.”

With word of mouth spreading among individuals and groups in regards to the Mercy Works program activities, an open invitation to join the group was met with great enthusiasm.

The manageress of St Mary’s Technical School, Helen*, started with her family by purchasing one electrical sewing machine with the Thirty Million Kina project – an initiative which allows a start up amount on loans with micro enterprise concept. The amount used to start up the business is returned and leant to another person.

Over a period of three years the same amount of money is to been given out as a loan 78 times between June 2020 and July 2024!

Helen began sewing Meri blouses (women’s tops) for sale. And the amount of money raised among the family was put to purchasing mini goods for sale and packets of seeds for planting.

“The purpose of lending thirty Kina is to enhance intended personal dreams, goals and vision in life,” says Sr Maryanne who says the program was developed in response to women’s disclosures that while they could earn and save money, their household needs are greater than their earnings.

Woman had shared their frustration at not being able to control their own economic resources.

“It’s a reminder that one’s life journey remains as a catalyst that sets enabling, measurable and simple directions that invites individuals to take responsibility, accountability and liability,” says Sr Maryanne.

“It all contributes to the primary goal of making and growing money together in achieving bigger and better dreams in life. Stories of change among the groups remains a turning point for others wishing, with the idea of; ‘if you can do it, I can too’.”

Providing items like bilums and meri blouses only strengthens the demand for such items. Demand for food produce such as bread, pies, cakes and jams is also increasing as the presence of these items is meeting a need within the community.

A Journey from Despair to Hope 

When tragedy strikes, when trouble comes, when life disappoints us, we stand at the crossroads between hope and despair, torn and hurting. Despair cements us in the present. Hope sends us dancing around dark corners trusting in a tomorrow we cannot see. 

(Vision and Viewpoint E-Newsletter – 28 March 2022)

These powerful words from Benedictine Sister Joan Chittister OSB touch my heart. In recent times I have been tempted to give into despair and emotional fatigue! At every turn both at home and globally, we all seem to be living in such uncertain and anxious times that test our faith and our capacity for hope. I have never liked pain and if there is a way over or around it, I may attempt to jump over it!

Yet this is not the Easter story. Jesus endured the darkness of humiliation, suffering and death on a Cross, before breaking through to the light of liberation, the new life of resurrection. The Easter story leads us in faith from despair to hope.

Given all the challenges our Mercy Works partners, projects and staff have been facing lately, they too could have given into despair. Yet with great pride I can share with you this Easter some Mercy Works stories of hope and light which I know will lift your spirits, as they have mine.

In the words of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, they are truly “shining lamps, giving light to all around us.”  

In Papua New Guinea –

In our projects in Simbu and Kiunga, ongoing adaptations and great progress has been made despite all the challenges.  Misinformation and fear abound about the pandemic in Papua New Guinea and people often stand at the crossroads between despair and hope. Yet so much is happening in our Mercy Works projects which counteracts despair and leads the community along the path of hope. Relationships are developing with the prisoners and their families in the Barawagi jail to build trust and respect. With all our community development activities there is more outreach to the villages rather than expecting the people to come in to the towns. We are searching for ways to resume our regular radio broadcasts which give correct COVID education and share good news stories of hope and change across the country.

Amidst all this Mercy Works in PNG offers a ‘shining lamp’, a beacon of hope!

In the Philippines –

You will have read about our new project with trafficked women in the recent Mini Bilum magazine in Cebu city‘Creating Change for Women through Advocacy’. Mercy Works is in partnership with the Villa Maria Good Shepherd Sisters Inc.   Despite the recent major setbacks – the super typhoon Odette in December 2021 and the spreading the Omicron variant, the project has forged ahead with great enthusiasm and courage.

A ‘shining lamp’, a beacon of hope remains steadfast in the Philippines!

In Adelaide First Nations Advocacy project – known as Nunga Babies Watch –

With passionate commitment the Aboriginal women who lead this project have stood together and called upon the South Australian Government to take immediate action to end another Stolen Generation from happening.  They presented a 20-point Statement to the South Australian Parliament in December 2021. This challenges the removal of Aboriginal children from their families and the placing of them in non-Indigenous settings.  Former chaplain for the Department of Correctional Services, Ngadjuri woman and Elder Aunty Pat Waria-Read, says –

“This is a national disgrace. Months later there’s been no response from the Ministers, I thought there would have been an uproar. It’s a continuation of the Stolen Generation.”

 These Aboriginal women stand as a ‘shining lamps’, beacons of hope for all!

What I have noticed as I hear each of these hope-filled stories is that each one ignites a spirit of hope in me. Like the experience of the disciples at Easter, despair and isolation gives way to hope and love as we walk together with the Risen Jesus.

So, I invite you all, whenever you stand at the crossroads between hope and despair this Easter to ponder these questions –

• Can I truly say as a person of Mercy that I am a ‘shining lamp to all around me’?
• Do I live the light of the Risen Jesus with gratitude?

Sally Bradley RSM
Executive Director,
Mercy Works