Student News

A message from our Social Justice Leaders

This term we have chosen to support Mercy Works as our Social Justice initiative. Mercy works in a non-profit organisation that works in vulnerable countries and communities. They help to support small areas in Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor Leste and Australia. They work with the people of these communities and organisations to build capacity, dignity and self-reliance. Mercy Works is the development arm of the Sisters of Mercy in Australia and Papua New Guinea.

All of us scheduled a Zoom video call to talk with one of the people from Mercy Works, Danielle Hayes. She told us the deeper meanings of their mission and what the impact would be if we raised money for it. We took important notes to then discuss it after the meeting. 

Mercy Works has a variety of different projects in all the different countries listed above. From all of the different initiatives we discussed, we decided for this term we would like to support children in Cebu, Philippines.

Philippines - Protect is a project to support kids who are selling trinkets outside public areas at night. The children sell these trinkets to help their family make money and support them as they don’t have enough money to buy basic needs. This, however, exposes them to dangerous environments and harmful behaviours. If we raise enough money for this project, we can help support these children and their families by teaching their parents skills to earn money. This helps to respond the bigger problem rather than just giving the families money.

To support this project, we would like to hold a St Michael’s Mercy Day Fundraising lunch on Monday, September 15 where students and teachers are able to purchase a sausage (or two), prima juice box and/or Zooper Dooper icypole. 

We welcome parent helpers to come support and cook the snags on the barbecue. If families are in a position to support this initiative financially, we welcome Woolies gift vouchers where these items will be purchased. These vouchers can be dropped off at the Office for Hang’s pigeon hole.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Jeremy, Ela and Sabrina (Social Justice Leaders)