Caritas Australia’s major fundraiser, Project Compassion, was run throughout the season of Lent in churches and Catholic Schools throughout Australia. Damascus College ran several fundraising and awareness raising events throughout Term 1 including the Swimming Carnival BBQ, SRC Bake Sale, TAPITAS, a Hydration Hike and a Poverty and Education Human Board Game.

TAPITAS

Here at Damascus, it is easy to take for granted the ability to turn on a tap whenever we need running water. This year, Caritas highlighted the plight of students in Samoa who often run out of water and if they are unable to source water from their neighbours, have to send their students home. With this in mind the Year 12 Youth Ministry students led the TAPitas initiative, where for $2 staff and students could buy a droplet which would be displayed on the school’s TAPITAS window. When someone bought a droplet, they were invited to write a prayer or a message of hope to show their solidarity for people for whom getting water is not as simple as turning on a tap.

Hydration Hike

Currently, 292 million people spend more than 30 minutes a day walking to collect water. To show compassion for these people, the 10.3 Youth Ministry class held a Hydration Hike where students completed a couple of laps of the Murrnong Trail while carrying buckets of water. The students were sponsored by their families and the school staff and were very grateful for the support.

Human Board Game

Education is a right for everyone, unfortunately there are many factors that can affect one’s access to education. For students living in poverty the struggle to finish a year of school, let alone six, is great. Through this game students were able to experience the setbacks felt by students around the world who, through no fault of their own, struggle to get to school let alone access the curriculum. By supporting Caritas, we can assist students, and their families, to rise out of poverty and get an education.

Through the Damascus College Community’s kind donations, we were able to raise over $3,000 for Caritas.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Fundraising and Awareness Raising initiatives.

Though Lent is over, let us continue to Unite Against Poverty.