Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten fundraising and awareness appeal, Project Compassion, begins today with 1700 schools and 1200 parishes set to “Unite Against Poverty”.
For six weeks, schools, students, parishes and individuals are encouraged to donate money or take on Caritas’ new Lenten challenge, “The Long Walk for Water” or sign up to “Give it up for Lent”.
The theme, Unite Against Poverty, is inspired by the teachings of Jesus and his great care for the poor and marginalised.
In Matthew 25, Jesus said, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”
This theme is explored through three inspiring stories of individuals from around the world who have overcome challenges in their own lives and gone on to become beacons of hope and resilience in their communities.
- Toefuata’iga is a primary school student in Samoa who faced severe challenges and disruptions to her learning due to water scarcity.
- Lam is a young man with a disability in rural Vietnam, on his journey from isolation to independence.
- Irene is a single mother living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo who, despite experiencing extreme poverty, has become a skilled seamstress.
Caritas will share the stories of Toefuata’iga, Lam and Irene in coming weeks.
Kirsten Sayers, Interim CEO at Caritas Australia, said: “Lent is a season of reflection, prayer, and almsgiving. It is a time when we are called to examine our lives and make sacrifices to help those less fortunate.
“During Lent, our challenge is to respond to these stories courageously, with a ‘yes’ to God’s call to us all, to work towards a world where everyone can live with dignity and hope.”
Details: Project Compassion website.
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Caritas Australia calls us to Unite Against Poverty for Project Compassion 2025 (Caritas Australia)
