CIRCULATE - FOR PURPOSE PARTNERSHIP

The flow and reciprocation of goodwill and support through generous giving purpose-led business.

SOMETIMES WE NEED COMMUNITY, NOT A COMMUNITY ORGANISATION

As organisations across the community sector continue to struggle with rising costs and reducing funding it is timely to reflect that often our communities already have what they need to respond to issues as a community, they don’t necessarily need to create a community organisation with all the requirements of structure, accountability, compliance and funding that this requires. Our increasing focus on process and liability has undermined the ability (and confidence) of our communities to just get on with helping each other.

Pictured is a Lampedusa Cross which conveys a powerful story of the potential for people in communities to make a profound response to what they see around them without necessarily creating a new entity to do it.

The crosses are made by Sicilian carpenter Francesco Tuccio. He lives on the small island of Lampedusa which is one of the closest points of Europe to northern Africa and has seen 1000s of migrants attempting to escape hunger, persecution or war.

Often these migrants have died in overloaded boats that wash up on the shores of the island. It is the wreckage of these boats that Francesco uses to create the crosses.

The crosses are gifted to migrants as a symbol of hope for their journey and future, but they are also sent around the world to continue to shine a light on the plight of so many people. For the islanders, the crosses stand as a reminder of the ongoing care and compassion offered by local people to the migrants that survive – community offering a solution as community. Asked why he made the crosses he replied:

“These people risk their lives every day because they are looking for freedom from war and desperation. I hope the crosses will be a strong reminder to everyone of what is happening. No one should forget. I hope all of us can contribute to helping them. There is still too much indifference. My hope is that things will change for better for them all.”

Perhaps we should focus on what we can do as community before we rush to create more organisations and explore what we can do with what we have, rather than waiting until someone funds us to do it.

Maura Young Partnership & Projects Managermaura@taranakichamber.co.nz