Marist Solidarity

MAPS presented an outline of its work to the new Province Mission Council, 19th October. In the briefing papers there were outlined 57 projects that are current, being planned or just finishing – there are more projects being signaled!

• Some are small community based projects of a few thousand dollars and others were large scale building and development projects, the largest being $1.4m. All projects are focused on the needs of children and young people.
• Project funds come from the Marist Solidarity Campaign conducted in Marist schools each year and donor funds from other Marist connections, community organisations, businesses and the general public. With these funds it is possible to present submissions to international agencies and NGOs for major support funding.
• The projects are situated in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, East Timor, Philippines PNG, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Samoa and Kiribati. MAPS activity with volunteers and immersions was also presented to the Council.
• Twenty-nine immersion and volunteers experiences were listed and the process of assisting individuals or schools with preparation, placements, risk assessment and communication with host communities was outlined.
• The common reaction upon return is that it has been a life changing experience.

We will launch the Marist Solidarity Christmas Menu at gatherings in Melbourne (November 27), Adelaide (November 20) and Brisbane (November 26). This gives people the opportunity to support projects listed on the

menu.

Also the Marist Solidarity Campaign 2012 is in planning and will be presented to schools next year at a number of ‘launch’ events. The campaign has as its foundation a poster and a multimedia promo backed by liturgies, classroom activities and suitable solidarity stimulus material. It will be on the website www.maristsolidarity.net.au in early in 2012.

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MSA Newsletter – 1November 2011