Seek Justice
Our Killing Fields Experience
Father Rajat welcomed us, a group of ten students and three staff members with open arms, into his parish centre in Kompong Chhnang, Cambodia. The kindness and warmth of our hosts was immediately obvious. After being confronted visiting the killing fields and learning about the Khmer Rouge, it was nice to be embraced with such positive energy. Throughout our stay, we were charmed by the floating village and the kids from the peace centre, and got our hands dirty doing work in the garden. The accepting nature of everyone we met was almost overwhelming.
The days following included the breathtaking Angkor Wat, putting together wheelchairs, building a toilet and nailing the floor of a house. All the while, we were forming bonds and friendships with everyone that we met, including the people at the incredible organisation: the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997, and those at Sister Denise’s reflection centre whose lives were impacted by landmines or cluster bombs. Cambodia, a country ravaged by genocide so recently, gave us all such an incredible experience that we will never forget, and reminded us of our call to justice; not only overseas, but in our own communities.
Cambodia Pilgrims
India Pilgrimage
On 17 September we left Perth for Kolkata, India. Upon our arrival we were instantly hit with a wave of heat, smells and sounds unfamiliar to what we had ever experienced in Perth. We stayed at the Baptist Missionary Society Kolkata, took day trips with the Mary Ward Society and had the opportunity to see the amazing work they are doing for the underprivileged children. We visited many schools and communities, and experienced the overwhelming generosity and pride of the people and where they live.
It was an amazing experience to visit and interact with the communities that we raise money for at John XXIII College, and we all suddenly understood the incredibly important part charity plays in the growth of the Mary Ward programs.
Loreto schools around Kolkata run a program called Rainbow Kids, where children from underprivileged areas are given an education and are able to sleep in school grounds. We had the opportunity meet the children from one of the schools and were surprised by how energetic and enthusiastic the girls were.
Our experience in India was unforgettable and transformed our perspectives and alerted us to our impact on the world.
India Pilgrims
Timor Leste Pilgrimage
Timor Leste was an experience of a lifetime. Being immersed into a culture, completely different from the comfort of our homes, broadened our understanding of the world beyond Australia, and has inspired us to continue working with the communities we visited. It was a pleasure to be able to partner with the Timorese in contributing to the development of their nation, as well as growing in ourselves.
During our time in Bacau, we were fortunate enough to spend time with the students at Buibau Primary School, the young girls at Laga Orphanage, as well as to have the opportunity to teach English to the students at Ponte Leste Youth Centre. The relationships formed between not only the members of our group, but with the beautiful people and children we met, are ones that we will treasure forever. The friendly nature of all the people we encountered throughout our trip was much appreciated in making us feel welcome in their country.
It was incredible to witness the passion that each Timorese person had in their hospitality and in sharing their culture with us. Timor Leste will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Timor Pilgrims
Northern Territory Pilgrimage
The opportunity to participate in the Northern Territory pilgrimage, visiting Beswick and Kakadu, has become one that we will cherish and remember for the rest of our lives.
Spending time in these unique communities has opened our eyes to not only social justice issues present within our Australian culture, but has allowed us to develop a mutual understanding of the importance of land and family.
Growing both mentally and spiritually as individuals, we are able to accept the consequent changes that we are now experiencing on our return, with a renewed perspective of the world.
Having spent the best part of two weeks with one another, we have formed long-lasting relationships, and these bonds we will carry forever. Our journey has highlighted the extent to which we all value the same things, however, that separation between our two cultures continues to exist. As a result, we have begun to consider new initiatives for increasing awareness and acceptance of the differences between our cultures.
Closing the ‘gap’, we believe, is the first step forward and in order to move on, we must develop a better understanding for one another and value the notion that we are, and will always be, connected by One Blood.
Northern Territory Pilgrims