Australian Catholic schools and the wider Australian community are supporting the empowerment of the marginalised through Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion. Your support of Project Compassion helps to build strong communities and transform millions of lives.

Catholic Schools participate closely in the work of Caritas Australia, the international humanitarian aid and development agency of the Catholic Church in Australia. In 2019, over 1350 Catholic Schools participated in Caritas Australia’s annual Lenten campaign, Project Compassion. School students, their families, parishes and the Australian community donated nearly $11 million.

The theme for Project Compassion 2020 is “Go Further Together”. It reminds us that, by working together, we can create better outcomes for our sisters and brothers around the world who face poverty.

Barry’s Story
Father of four, Barry, embodies resilience and strength. Growing up in a tough environment, he had to look inside himself to make the right choices for himself and his family.

Barry, a Gamilaroi man originally from western NSW, remembers his early years as a time of enormous hardship. He didn’t have a stable home or support network and was mostly brought up by his grandparents.

He became a father in his late teens and was suddenly faced with responsibilities for which he wasn’t ready. He started drinking heavily, behaviour that he’d witnessed previously.

Barry, and others like him, were able to take part in Red Dust Healing – a cultural healing program, which encourages participants to examine their own personal hurt and allows them to heal from within. The program addresses family and personal relationships, and what may have been lifelong patterns of violence, abuse and neglect.

Red Dust Healing Founder, Tom Powell, is humbled that the program has won numerous awards and helped over 16,000 people like Barry across Australia.

Today, thanks to the Red Dust Healing program, Barry is an inspirational father to his four girls and a respected leader in his community. He now facilitates Red Dust Healing workshops and helps others through their healing process.

A brighter future for men, women and their families can start today. Let’s Go Further, Together.

DONATE TO PROJECT COMPASSION
Please donate to Project Compassion by calling 1800 024 413 or visiting lent.caritas.org.au