Caritas Australia

Cuts for a Cause

2012-01-10T12:02:00.004+11:00

On Sunday 22 January, Partners Hair in Glebe (Sydney) are cutting for a cause, with all funds raised going to our East Africa Crisis Appeal. With millions of people suffering from East Africa’s worst drought in 60 years, funds are desperately needed to continue providing food, water and humanitarian assistance. Assisting the socially-conscious Sydney salon are former Waratahs captain and

On this day ...

2012-01-09T12:29:00.001+11:00

On this day we remember those who were affected by the Queensland floods. Twelve months ago many people lost their lives and thousands had to evacuate their homes. At Caritas Australia we offer prayers of hope and support. May 2012 be a safe and prosperous year. 'Welcome to Rockhampton' sign seen partially submerged in Rockhamption, Jan 4, 2011. Credit: Reuters/Daniel Munoz

There’s only 2 sleeps to go...

2011-12-23T09:00:00.000+11:00

The Caritas family hopes you have a Merry Christmas and would like to thank you for your support in 2011. May the spirit of Christmas bring you love. The gentleness of the Christmas story give you comfort. May peace be your gift at Christmas, and May you be blessed all year through. For more inspirational messages and comforting words, please download the 2011 Caritas Australia

Pray 4 Providence: Update

2011-12-22T09:49:00.001+11:00

On 30 September our Steadfast Ministry (Catholic Young Adults Ministry) leaders kicked off Pray 4 Providence. The project was setup in response to the cry of the 13 million people suffering from drought, famine and war in East Africa. Our plan was to raise $50,000 through the Power of Prayer! Not just any prayer, but prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. People were invited to commit to pray

An update from Bill

2011-12-21T14:17:00.000+11:00

Hi everyone, On behalf of Caritas and the people of East Africa, thank you for your kind donations so far to my 100km ‘Walk with the Poor – Charity Walk’. On Friday 16 December, my family and friends set off at 7.00am. We 28.6km walked from Petrie to Brighton, which left ONLY 71.4 km to go by Monday morning, which we completed at 11.00am. The 100km covered in solidarity, with my family

International Human Solidarity Day

2011-12-20T10:29:00.001+11:00

Today is the United Nations’ (UN) International Human Solidarity Day, which is held on 20 December every year. This day’s aim is to celebrate unity in diversity and to remind people on the importance of solidarity in working towards eradicating poverty. Solidarity, under the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), is one of the values that Caritas Australia is shaped by. The values

Philippines Floods Appeal

2011-12-19T15:40:00.001+11:00

On the evening of Friday 16 December, Typhoon Washi hit land in the eastern province of Agusan del Sur and northern Mindanao (the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines). The storm caused severe flash flooding and continues to cause widespread devastation, with more than 650 people reported dead, over 800 believed missing and tens of thousands of families displaced.

Thanks for your Support!

2011-12-16T11:14:00.001+11:00

Due to the sheer numbers of people in East Africa affected by the worst droughts in 60 years, on 5 October this year the Australian Government launched their Dollar for Dollar initiative. Under this scheme, donations to Caritas Australia’s East Africa Crisis Appeal, between 5 October and 30 November 2011, were matched – dollar for dollar. Thanks to you, Caritas Australia received

Christmas is now one touch closer!

2011-12-15T15:10:00.001+11:00

Be one touch closer to Christmas with our NEW Advent Calendar iPhone app! A first for Caritas Australia – no matter where you are, you and your loved ones can follow the Jesse Tree through Advent. The Advent Calendar 2011 invites you to Reflect, Act and Pray with our partners throughout the Christmas season. The calendar is available online, plus you can download the PowerPoint

Durban update from Caritas Internationalis

2011-12-14T14:35:00.000+11:00

Adapted from a blog by Patrick Nicholson Caritas says a deal reached at climate talks in Durban leaves the world facing a catastrophic 4C increase in global temperatures. The Durban COP17 summit ended with governments agreeing to work towards a legal treaty that will bind developed and developing countries to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The U.N. talks in South Africa extended

Want to work for Caritas Australia?

2011-12-12T09:56:00.001+11:00

A non-government international aid and development organisation, Caritas Australia assists over 35 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific, as well as Indigenous Australia. In fact, we are part of Caritas Internationalis which works in over 200 countries and territories! Alongside our international partners, we aim to address the causes of poverty and bring about long-term

Publish What You Pay

2011-12-08T12:58:00.001+11:00

Caritas Australia is one of 600 international member organisations of the Publish What You Pay (PWYP) campaign. Miners in the DemocraticRepublic of Congo.Photo:Richard Wainwright This campaign is a global network of civil society organisations united in their call for oil, gas and mining revenues to improve the lives of ordinary citizens in resource-rich countries. PWYP undertakes

18 Days till Christmas ...

2011-12-07T15:01:00.001+11:00

Have you done you Christmas shopping yet? With Global Gifts 2011, avoid the traffic, queues and stress by shopping online with Caritas Australia! To make life even easier, we've created a shopping list for you. There are nine gift ideas to choose from, including: For $10 you could provide Clean Water to a community in a country like Vanuatu. For $75 you could provide a Safe Childbirth

Getting Dirty for Charity!

2011-12-06T14:25:00.001+11:00

On Saturday 3 December, a group of Caritas staff and friends got dirty for charity! So far they've raised $1,350 for our long-term development programs. Can you help them reach their $5,000 target? Head here to donate. As promised, here are some photos from the Mud Run. Before the race! Left to right: Belinda, Helen, Sue, Izzy, Jack (CEO), Richard, Jakki, Tom, Jill and Kirsty. "This

Greetings again from Uganda!

2011-12-06T09:46:00.001+11:00

On November 10, we popped up a blog called ‘Greetings from Uganda’. The writer of the letter, Kasozi Moses, was so happy about it – he wrote us an update. Dear Caritas, Greetings from your brothers and sisters in Uganda! Thank you so much for everything you have done for us. Our involvement with the Be More Challenge has already made a difference. Taking up action for a better

Advocacy in Action at Durban Climate Talks

2011-12-05T09:30:00.001+11:00

By Patrick Nicholson An insurance policy covering loss and damage to your property if there is hurricane or flood isn’t an option if you are poor. But one of the smaller issues discussed at Durban is how to provide communities with just such coverage through a ‘loss and damages’ fund. Dr Anwara Shelly from Caritas Bangladesh is taking part in the UN conference in Durban wearing two hats, both

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

2011-12-02T09:00:00.001+11:00

Tomorrow, Saturday 3 December, is the UN recognised International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The theme for 2011 is: Together for a better world for all: including persons with disabilities in development Fact: 450 million out of the 600 million people with a disability live in a developing country. Fact: 20% of people living in poverty suffer from a disability. Fact: 150 million

Caritasnews receives a makeover!

2011-12-01T15:06:00.001+11:00

Our quarterly publication, Caritasnews has recently received a makeover. Filled with up-to-date stories from the field, staff profiles, our latest programs and projects, advocacy work and campaigns, appeals and uplifting stories of hope – we hope you enjoy the ‘new and improved’ version. Check out Caritasnews Summer 2011/12 online. This issue includes: The Beauty of Ngoliba: In the slums of

Today is World AIDS Day.

2011-12-01T10:08:00.001+11:00

Did you know? Since the life-altering arrival of HIV/AIDS 30 years ago, 60 million people have been infected, 25 million have died and 14 million children from sub-Saharan Africa alone have been orphaned. This year approximately 2 million people will die and 2.7 million will contract HIV/AIDS. 30 years ago, Australia saw another life-altering arrival ̶ the mobile phone. Combating

Go the Mudskippers!

2011-11-29T09:27:00.001+11:00

This Saturday 3 December @ 2pm, a bunch of super sporty Caritas staff led by CEO, Jack de Groot and the Treasurer of our National Council, Richard Haddock, will be getting dirty for charity. The Caritas Mudskippers will be skipping, jumping and crawling through a 6km mud track course all in the name of a good cause. And that good cause? Why, Caritas Australia of course! The aim? $5,000!

White Ribbon Day

2011-11-25T10:32:00.001+11:00

In Laos, women are learning crafts, so they can secure a future for themselves and their children. Every year, 25 November is White Ribbon Day – the UN recognised International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. And every day, the international Caritas network is working around the globe to help women and children lead peaceful and safe lives. Caritas Australia has a

Ping Pong to the Rescue!

2011-11-25T09:43:00.001+11:00

When the team at Yahoo!7 heard about the food crisis in East Africa they put heads together and came up with a fun way to raise funds. A bunch of guys and girls held up their ping pong bats in solidarity and threw a ping pong tournament! This was a fabulous FUNdraising effort, with $1,111 raised for Caritas Australia's East Africa Crisis Appeal. A BIG thank you to Yahoo!7 for raising

Will you walk with Bill?

2011-11-23T11:31:00.001+11:00

The people of East Africa walkmany km for food, for water. Can you put compassion into action? Bill Mulcahy is a husband, a father of seven daughters, a poppy to two and a primary school teacher. He’s also a Caritas Supporter, passionate about helping people out of poverty and passionate about raising dollars – $16,000 in fact. From Friday 16 December to Monday 19 December, Bill will be

Care in the Djarindijin Community

2011-11-23T10:29:00.001+11:00

Ray Lowe, Diocesan Director ofBunbury, is excited aboutthe Community CulturalCarers program. On Wednesday 19 October, I represented Caritas Australia at the launch of the new Community Cultural Carers program in the Djarindijin Community (an isolated Aboriginal community approx. 200 km or a 35-minute flight north of Broome). There are three members from the local community on the staff -

World toilet day

2011-11-18T16:29:00.001+11:00

Saturday 19 November is World Toilet Day so we thought it was a good idea to talk about – you guessed it … toilets! During 17-20 September this year, some of the nation’s highest profile politicians joined a queue of rookie lobbyists behind a giant toilet on the grounds of Parliament house in Canberra. Independent MP Rob Oakeshott even sat on it. So did Senator Michaelia Cash. Why? To draw