FROM THE CEO ANNA MOSBAUER
Dear friends of AMS,
Welcome to the Spring edition of Solidarity Matters 2024. I am sure we are all welcoming in the beautiful warm weather and the sight of blooming flowers. While nature has been taking its course, our AMS Team has had a busy few months.
Our June fundraising event at Marist College Ashgrove was a resounding success, with over 40 people from across Brisbane in attendance. Many of these were newcomers eager to learn about our project partners at St Joseph’s Marist College Tenaru, Solomon Islands, the Chetana Boys Hostel in India, and St Joseph’s College Mabiri in Bougainville. This event not only raised significant funds but also provided a platform to celebrate the transformative work of our partners in their local communities.
In August, we kicked off our annual Community Gathering events in Adelaide at Sacred Heart College. Special guests Br Kees van der Weet and visiting teachers from Marist Champagnat Institute Fiji were in attendance to share stories from their school.
We also held our annual Board and SubCommittee Members Meeting here in Brisbane, which gave us a wonderful opportunity to connect in person, discuss AMS activities to date, and formally farewell outgoing CEO Rebecca
SOLIDARITY MATTERS SPRING 2024
Bromhead and former Board Chair Allison White. We wish them all the success in their future endeavours.
Looking ahead to November, we have our Community Gathering Events scheduled in Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. Our special guest will continue to be Br Kees van der Weet from the Marist Champagnat Institute (Fiji).
These events, detailed on page 11 of this edition, are an opportunity for gathering AMS supporters, Marist employees, school contacts, governance members, and other key stakeholders. We encourage everyone to mark their calendars and RSVP to be part of these events.
As we enter this new season, let us reflect on “The Season of Creation.” We pray that God may open our eyes to recognise the goodness of all creation and that we may hear the cry of the earth and be inspired to respond.
Yours in solidarity,
Anna Mosbauer Acting CEO
Images: Guests at the AMS Fundraising Event at Marist College, Ashgrove in June 2024. Bottom image: Acting CEO, Anna Mosbauer pictured with AMS Supporter at June Fundraising event in Brisbane.
WHO WE ARE
Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS) believes in a world where young people have hope and the opportunity to access education. Our mission is to partner with communities in the Asia Pacific region to facilitate access to education for young people in need.
We believe local people are the experts on the challenges facing their communities and the solutions that will address these challenges. By working directly with community partners, we help them access the resources required to deliver quality education and serve young people where and how they need it most. To help us focus our efforts to ensure their young people reach their brightest potential, AMS partners with local communities in three key areas of work:
Access to education
We facilitate access to quality education for vulnerable children and young people through projects in primary, secondary, vocational and tertiary education programs across Asia and the Pacific.
Facilities for the future
We invest in infrastructure to ensure safe places for learning.
Recent AMS Events
AMS COMMUNITY GATHERING SACRED HEART COLLEGE, ADELAIDE
AMS BOARD AND SUB-COMMITTEE MEMBERS
MEETING, BRISBANE
Resilience and readiness
We support programs to build resilience, provide care, and empower marginalised communities to strengthen access to education and workplace skills and knowledge.
Together, we bring hope.
Top left image: Br Kees pictured with staff from Sacred Heart College R-L: Guests pictured with teachers from MCI, Fiji
L-R: Richard Quinn & Matt Brennan
L-R: Norman Chan & Br. Peter Caroll
Staff, Committee Members and Board Members at the annual meeting
Project Updates
EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENT EFFORTS AT ST MARCELLIN COLLEGE, BANGLADESH
Rosana, 10, came to St Marcellin’s school with very little literacy and numeracy skills. Hailing from the Kashia Tribe, Rosana spoke almost no Bengali (the national language of Bangladesh) and would often feel overwhelmed by the language barrier.
Rosana, 10
Despite this obstacle and with the care and support of her dedicated teachers, Rosana was able to pass all her exams and continue to grade 7, with full reading and writing comprehension in Bengali. Described by her teacher as a “lovely little butterfly, flying everywhere and loved by everyone” Rosana has been given a second chance at bettering
her life thanks to the support of our generous donors and partners.
This is just one example of how St Marcellin College is providing a beacon of hope for 446 boys and girls in Giasnogor, Bangladesh. As the legacy of the country’s tea industry continues to perpetuate a cycle of exploitation, Rosana’s family and their access to housing, medical care, and educational opportunities remain tightly controlled by their employers. Families working in the tea gardens make less than 1 Euro a day.
“...a lovely little butterfly, flying everywhere and loved by everyone”
By providing free education to children from the “tea gardens,” the school is aiming to break the cycle of poverty that has defined the lives of many in the area. AMS is currently covering tuition for 75% of its students. Together with our partners and generous donors, we continue to support students like Rosana, giving them the best chance to live a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Shortly, Rosana and her peers will enjoy a safer and more environmentally friendly school site. AMS is partnering with the college, for the remainder of 2024, on a new project “Preserving the Environment and Property.”
This project will construct a boundary wall around the school’s property in Moulovibazar District, helping to address the pressing issues of soil erosion and theft of school and hostel property which continues to impact student well-being.
Young students cleaning up litter around the schools grounds
Together, we are creating a safer and more conducive learning environment for our students. St Marcellin’s remains a testament to transformative change in education. To learn more about our projects in Bangladesh, please visit our AMS website.
AMS MID-YEAR APPEAL UPDATE
Thanks to the amazing support from our donors during the AMS Mid-Year Appeal, St Joseph’s Tenaru Catholic School in the Solomon Islands is set to renovate and refurbish its student library. One of the challenges we faced was a termite infestation, however we’re excited to share that an exterminator has come in and cleared the area. Now we can kick off the reconstruction and keep you in the loop on building updates as they occur.
St Joseph’s is a long-established Marist school with a student population larger than its carrying capacity. It’s a well-worn school, and buildings like the library need attention to support the growing number of students. Together, with your help, AMS was able to raise $64,000. Therefore, once again, thank you kindly for all your support and contributions for giving the joy of reading to the students of St. Joseph’s Tenaru.
Olivette, on behalf of her peers and the staff of St. Joseph’s Tenaru would like to warmly thank you for your support! Watch the video here.
Pictures opposite: Exterminator clearing library site termites before renovations take place.
Video opposite: Olivette from St. Joseph’s Tenaru thanking AMS and it’s kind supporters for their donations towards the new school library.
A CONVERSATION WITH OUR PROGRAMS TEAM
When our ‘Winter edition’ went to print, we announced that our International Programs Officer, Taylor Lemmon, was visiting project partners in Asia. We are delighted to share a one-on-one interview with you about her wonderful experience at the Training and Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind in Hanoi, Vietnam.
In June, I had the privilege of travelling to Vietnam to meet with inspiring program partners at the Training and Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind (TRCB) in Hanoi, Vietnam.
The TRCB plays a crucial role in empowering individuals with visual impairments by offering vocational training in various fields, including computer skills, administration, business, and traditional massage. As a partner organisation, AMS collaborates with TRCB to provide two intensive three-month traditional massage courses each year, benefitting 68 participants annually.
Travelling solo in Vietnam for the first time was both exhilarating and daunting. Hanoi’s vibrant streets, filled with an endless flow of scooters and limited sidewalks, posed many challenges. Yet, as I navigated this bustling environment, I gained invaluable insight into the daily obstacles faced by individuals with disabilities.
“The TRCB is pivotal,” a program coordinator shared with me.
The centre organises city outings to help students adapt to new environments, preparing them to return to their home villages equipped with confidence and knowledge.
Many graduates have gone on to start their own businesses or secure positions in massage centres. They are also becoming advocates for the rights of people with disabilities throughout the country. “It’s about creating a community where everyone feels valued,” one graduate emphasised during our conversation.
“It not only imparts essential skills in massage and business but also cultivates independence.”
The highlight of my visit was attending the graduation ceremony for 34 students from the April-June 2024 course.
As I spoke with the graduates about their
journeys, a common theme emerged. They felt capable, independent, and empowered, yet deeply connected to one another. “The friendships we’ve built here will last a lifetime,” one graduate said, underscoring the profound sense of belonging fostered by the program.
I left with a heart full of admiration for the incredible resilience, determination, and solidarity that defines this vibrant community.
The work being done at the Training and Rehabilitation Centre for the Blind not only transforms lives but also reshapes perceptions of disability in Vietnam, fostering a future where everyone can thrive.
Images L-R: AMS with Director of the Training and Rehabilitation Centre, Pham Truong (TRCB) and past students of the centre, student graduation ceremony, AMS with TRCB staff
SOLOMON ISLANDS
AMS has also seen the successful renovation of “Our Lady Queen of Martyr” in Makira Province, Solomon Islands.
The secondary boarding school now has a new school block consisting of six classrooms, a teacher’s office, and two new ablution blocks for both male and female students. Students in the remote province of Makira can now access quality education and boarding facilities as well as a more enjoyable learning experience. The school can now meet the increasing demand of student enrolments.
Top image: New classroom block at Our Lady Queen of Martyr, Wainoni Bay. Final installation of windows and doors are soon to be completed.
Bottom images L-R: Birds eye view of school block and newly built ablution block.
COMMUNITY-REHABILITATION PROGRAM, KATILOSA
In Timor-Leste, physiotherapy training under the CommunityBased Rehabilitation Program, led by Michael Heelan’s volunteer efforts, has successfully wrapped up at Katilosa. This training has equipped local staff with more skills and knowledge for providing physiotherapy to children with disabilities and their families. As a result, the Katilosa team has completed an increasing amount of home visits over the last six months, delivering much-needed care to the communities they serve.
Images: Michael Heelan carrying out the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program in Katilosa, Timor-Leste with staff eagerly looking on to learn good practices in delivering care.
AROUND THE SCHOOLS
MARCELLIN COLLEGE BULLEEN
At Marcellin College Bulleen, students took part in a walkathon in loving memory of Connor Whyte. His teacher celebrated Conor’s life, describing his “constant quest for improvement…and his extraordinary capacity for empathy. He was a young man who, in his interactions, reflected the best of what we strive to cultivate in our community.” Marcellin College raised $11,460, exceeding their $10,000 fundraising goal, with all proceeds going to AMS .
Students walk in loving memory of the late Connor Whyte
ASSUMPTION COLLEGE KILMORE
Term 3 brought lively fundraising activities for Assumption College, Kilmore, with a team of dedicated students and staff hosting a “Trivia Night” fundraising event to help raise awareness for AMS. It was a sell-out event and for those who missed out on event tickets, a “Silent Auction” was held in tandem, where participants could bid on anything from weekend retreats to sports memorabilia. The event was a major success, and thanks to staff and students of Assumption College for organising this event.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT 2025
Learn how your Marist school community can make a difference through our school campaign at our AMS Briefings and Workshops. Connect directly with our Marist school in the Solomon Islands, St Joseph’s Tenaru. All events are now open to RSVP by following the links below:
AMS Teacher Briefing 19 February, 3:00pm-4:00pm AEST Register here
AMS Student Ambassador Briefing 5 March, 12:00pm- 1:00pm AEST Register here
AMS Student Ambassador Workshop 30 July 1:00pm-2:00pm AEST Register here
Students of Assumption College Kilmore at “Trivia Night” to help raise awareness and fundraise for AMS
AMS SCHOOLS CAMPAIGN 2025
We are thrilled to announce that our AMS Schools Campaign 2025 will focus on our projects in Solomon Islands. Currently, AMS supports four project partners who are providing much needed infrastructure for skills training and education on the capital island of Guadalcanal.
Solomon Islands is a nation located in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea. Comprising of nearly 1,000 islands, the population total is estimatedly 700,000 people, with the majority being of Melanesian descent. 70% of the population is made up of youth, presenting both opportunities and challenges, particularly in terms of education, employment, and sustainable development.
Nonetheless, Solomon Islands revels in its population diversity and cultural richness and celebrates its 70 distinct languages, making the nation one of the most linguistically diverse nations in the world.
Solomon Islands and our Marist Community share a long history that stems back to 1844 when the first Marist Missionaries arrived. Solomon Islands was the first Melanesian country for the Brothers to settle.
As we will begin preparations for our AMS Schools Campaign 2025, this is a friendly reminder to send in your schools fundraising money. As of last year, we have introduced the “Highest Fundraising School” Trophy for the school that has raised the highest amount of donations, and the “Marist Spirit Award” Trophy for the school that has fundraised in the up-most Marist spirit. Please have your fundraising donations at the beginning of Term 1 2025.
You can read about our projects in the Solomons here.
LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY
Leaving a gift in your will is a wonderful way to provide education for future generations.
“I think the Marist community is really important in building a place where young people feel safe, feel loved. They can be outward looking and are able to make better decisions for themselves and their communities.
I remember hearing about AMS projects and thought to myself how individual, micro level programs can have an impact on small communities and how this can empower them… I really admire people who work at these programs, I think it’s a fantastic thing to be committed to. I personally believe that education is a key to freedom.”
If you would like to discuss how to make a bequest or if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us or browse our bequests brochure here. We’re here to help you through the process and ensure that your wishes are honoured.
Contact us at: ams@marists.org.au Or call us at: (07) 3354 0600
With your support and contributions, together, we bring hope.
UPCOMING EVENTS 2024
Please join us for our annual AMS Community Gatherings in November. Connect with your Marist friends and enjoy refreshments as we share highlights and impacts from our current work.
Marist Centre Brisbane 6 November, 5:30pm-7:30pm (AEST) Register here Marist Centre, Sydney 7 November, 5:30pm-7:30pm (AEDT) Register here Marist Centre, Melbourne 10 November, 3:00pm-5:00pm (AEDT) Register here
You will have the opportunity to hear from our special guest, Br Kees Van der Weet from the Marist Champagnat Institute (Fiji), which provides inclusive educational opportunities for young students in Fiji.
You will also hear from AMS team members and our newly appointed Acting CEO, Anna Mosbauer alongside other special guests.
GOT A STORY?
We’d love to share it with our supporters!
Please send it to:
ams@marists.org.au
Read previous editions of Solidarity Matters on our website.
HOW YOU CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE AN IMPACT
At AMS, we believe that education is the key to unlocking brighter futures. By providing access to learning opportunities, we empower young individuals to dream big and create positive change in their lives and communities.
You can play a vital role in this mission by becoming a monthly giver. With just $59 a month, you can help transform lives through education. It’s easy to sign up, and your ongoing support can make a profound difference in the lives of young people across the region.
Join us in bringing hope and opportunity to those who need it most. Together, we can inspire change and build a brighter future for the youth of Asia and the Pacific. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to making a difference!
BY BANK TRANSFER
BANK: COMMONWEALTH BANK
ACCOUNT NAME: AUSTRALIAN MARIST SOLIDARITY
BSB: 062 000
ACCOUNT NUMBER: 1628 5262
REFERENCE: [INSERT SURNAME]
Please email the details of your donation to: ams.accounts@marists.org.au
BY PHONE:
Call our office on:
(07) 3354 0600
ONLINE:
Scan here to make a donation
4060 (07) 3354 0600
ams@marists.org.au
www.australianmaristsolidarity.org
