Each Lent, Project Compassion brings together thousands of Australians to stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable communities, helping to end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.

For Project Compassion 2026, we are called to Unite Against Poverty and become a profound force for change. Individually, we can make a difference – but when we come together, our good becomes great. Our combined kindness becomes amplified. And when we unite with each other, and with people living in poverty, we create BIG, lasting change.

During Lent, your child will take part in Project Compassion with their school community, learning the values of compassion, generosity, and faith. 

They’ll hear inspiring stories of:

• Sisilia from Tanzania, who used to walk long distances three times a day to collect unsafe water. With Caritas Australia’s support, her village now has clean water taps, allowing her to focus on school and her dream of becoming a pilot.
• Monoranjon from Bangladesh, who learned climate-resilient farming techniques to protect his family from floods and improve food security, inspiring his community to adopt sustainable practices.
• Manaini from Fiji, who struggled to feed her family but, with Caritas Australia and local partners, learned food processing and organic gardening, improving nutrition and creating income through selling baked goods.
• Caritas Australia’s emergency response work in Gaza, where, despite displacement and personal loss during the conflict, staff continue to deliver emergency aid, offering hope amid unimaginable hardship.

By joining your child’s journey, you’ll deepen your spiritual experience and show the power of collective action.

How can you get involved?

• The Long Walk for Water: As your child joins their school for The BIG Water Walk, why not take on your own challenge? Join The Long Walk for Water, a 40-day walking challenge that helps bring clean, safe water to vulnerable communities around the world. Set a daily walking goal that matches your fitness level and walk every day throughout Lent, or as often as you’re able, and show your compassion for families living in poverty.  
• Host a Lent Event: Get together with your friends, family, and neighbours and have fun while making a difference. Whether it’s a Pancake Tuesday, a games night, luncheon, dinner party or morning tea, your event will unite your community against poverty and create real, lasting change. 

How will you Unite Against Poverty this Lent?

Visit projectcompassion.org.au to sign up and start making a difference today!

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Unite Against Poverty this Lent, with Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion 2026!

Every year during Lent, thousands of Australians join Project Compassion, a campaign that brings communities together to stand in solidarity with the world’s most vulnerable. It’s a time to reflect, act, and make a difference. Through Project Compassion, we can help end poverty, promote justice, and uphold dignity for all.

In 2026, we are called to Unite Against Poverty. This is more than a slogan; it’s a call to action. Alone, we can make an impact. But together, our good becomes great and our collective kindness is amplified. When we unite with each other, and with people living in poverty, we create BIG, lasting change.

Why Project Compassion matters

Lent is a season of renewal and sacrifice. It’s also an opportunity to live out our faith through action.  Every donation, every conversation, every step taken during Lent helps communities overcome challenges and build brighter futures.

This year, your child will take part in Project Compassion with their school community. They’ll learn values of compassion, generosity, and faith, and hear stories of resilience and hope from around the world. 

These are the stories we have chosen to show how your support changes lives:

Sisilia, Tanzania

Sisilia, 13, used to walk long distances three times a day to collect unsafe water, leaving her exhausted and late for school. With Caritas Australia’s support, her village now has clean water taps. Sisilia can focus on her studies, lead hygiene education, and pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. Her story reminds us that access to clean water is life-changing, and something we often take for granted.

Monoranjon, Bangladesh

In a flood-prone region of Bangladesh, Monoranjon struggled to provide for his family as climate change threatened crops and livelihoods. Through Caritas programs, he learned climate-resilient farming techniques including salt-tolerant crop production and fish polyculture. These skills improved his family’s income and food security, enabling his children’s education and inspiring his community to adopt sustainable practices. His story shows how knowledge and innovation can break the cycle of poverty.

Manaini, Fiji

Manaini, a mother in rural Fiji, faced hunger and hardship. With Caritas and a local partner, she learned food processing and organic gardening, improving nutrition and creating income through selling baked goods. Solar lights also now brighten her village, making life safer and healthier for her children. Her story demonstrates how empowering women creates ripple effects of hope and opportunity.

Emergency Response, Gaza

Since October 2023, Caritas Jerusalem staff in Gaza have endured displacement, personal loss, and danger alongside the communities they serve. Despite unimaginable challenges, they remain committed to providing lifesaving support, standing in solidarity with families enduring this conflict.  Their courage reminds us that compassion knows no borders.

Your role in this journey

These are the stories your children will hear this year and now, we’re inviting you, as parents and family members, to take part as well! By joining your child’s journey, you’ll deepen your spiritual experience and show the power of collective action.

Imagine how inspiring it will be for your child to see you actively participating in the same cause they care so much about. Together, you can make Lent a season of transformation, for your family and for communities around the world.

How can you get involved?

• The Long Walk for Water: As your child joins their school for The BIG Water Walk, why not take on your own challenge – The Long Walk For Water? Show your compassion for families living in poverty by stepping up for a 40-day walking challenge that helps bring clean, safe water to vulnerable communities. Set a daily walking goal that matches your fitness level – whether that’s 30 minutes, 45 minutes, an hour, or any duration that works for you. Walk every day throughout Lent, or as often as you’re able, and make every step count.
• Host a Lent Event: Get together with your friends, family, school community or parish. Whether it’s a Pancake Tuesday, a games night, luncheon, dinner party, or morning tea, your event will unite your community against poverty and help build a brighter future for all. 

Every step you take, every dollar you raise, every conversation you start helps create lasting change. Your involvement in Project Compassion 2026 will demonstrate that faith is not only personal but also a call to action, and a chance for us to make a tangible difference in the world.

Why it matters

When we Unite Against Poverty, we unite for justice, dignity, and hope. We show that compassion is stronger than despair, and that together, we can build a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

How will you Unite Against Poverty this Lent?

Visit projectcompassion.org.au to sign up and start making a difference today!