Religious Education around our school – 5/6

Students in 5/6 are investigating justice creates harmony in our world. We are currently looking at what is ethical clothing. The global fashion industry employs 50 million people worldwide. While it can be a source of opportunity, for too many people indignity and abuse, low-wages and modern slavery are rife. Consumerism, mass production, and the constant demand for more, has fuelled this injustice while the industry has turned a blind eye to the impact they’re having on the environment and carbon emissions. But fashion brands have the greatest power to affect change in the global fashion industry. And we, as consumers, can use our influence to affect change in each brand. Students have looked at how they as young consumers can influence the fashion world to be more ethical. This website is a source of information for these young buyers – perhaps you’d like to look at your favourite brands and make sure they stack up? https://baptistworldaid.org.au/resources/ethical-fashion-guide/

Religious Life of St Michael’s

Harmony Week This week Australia celebrates Harmony Week. We celebrate our cultural diversity in Australia and learn more about each other’s heritage. We explore ways to include everyone in all that we do to make Australia the wonderful country it is.

Project Compassion boxes / Lenten Appeal

Thank you for your ongoing support of Project Compassion – I heard from a child the other day that their money box is nearly full and it is all gold coins – very exciting!! How is your family finding ways to donate to Project Compassion? One Mum said she takes pocket money away when she has to ask twice for children to be off devices or do a job and gives that to the Project Compassion box – helping the children to understand the value of listening and cooperating with the family. Another family said they’ve given up sweets for Lent and the money they would usually spend on the weekly groceries to those is going into the box. Let me know if you have any great ideas for how you contribute to the money box for Project Compassion.

 Week 4 – Caritas Project Compassion

Rosalie had a tough childhood. Her father passed away when she was just two-years-old and her mother struggled to look after the family on her own.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, women are traditionally responsible for household tasks, with limited employment opportunities outside the home. Rosalie's mother found it difficult to afford food and clothing, let alone school fees, and Rosalie had to drop out school.

Then, when she was just 15 years old, Rosalie was forced to join the army. In recent decades, the DRC has experienced ongoing political instability, violence and conflict, and the recruitment of child soldiers is all too common.

When Rosalie finally left the army after six years, she was eager to start a new life, free from violence. But like many ex-combatants, Rosalie found the challenge to adjust to civilian life overwhelming. With her childhood and education cut short by the war, she had missed out on developing skills that would help her to find secure employment.

With your generous help, Rosalie was able to participate in business and social skills training, supported by Caritas Australia’s partners, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and Caritas Bukavu.

Rosalie also joined a Saving and Internal Lending Community group (SILC), which helped her with a loan to start her own small business, selling second-hand shoes and natural remedies. She learnt savings and group management skills and became the SILC group’s president.

Through the program, she gained essential skills in generating an income while gaining a sense of belonging and community spirit.

Rosalie is now a business owner, a community leader and a role model for other ex-combatants who are seeking to readjust to civilian life. She is inspiring women and other members of her community to overcome the violence of the past, to work towards a more peaceful and harmonious world for all future generations.

See her story here: https://youtu.be/wp1UmTgo5UE

Your generous support today can help people like Rosalie to create a better tomorrow for their families and communities.