For all of us at Caritas Australia, this is an incredibly special time of the year. A time when we all feel incredibly blessed to witness the determination, commitment and strength of our amazing supporters. Running across the six weeks of Lent, Project Compassion is a time when the Caritas community in Australia comes together to raise funds for marginalised and vulnerable people across the world.

Project Compassion launched on Shrove Tuesday, marking the beginning of the season of kindness and compassion towards communities who need it most. Many parishes and schools across the country hosted a Project Compassion launch, where they heard from representatives from Caritas Australia about this year’s stories, as well as the difference they are making in the lives of those who need it most. We hosted our very own Pancake Day at the Caritas Australia office in Sydney, to celebrate the beginning of our biggest appeal, and the Parramatta diocese had a very special visit from Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation at their launch last week.

The theme for Project Compassion this year is ‘For All Future Generations’.  It asks us to think about the great ‘yes’ that Mary said when the angel told her that she was to become the mother of Jesus. She freely accepted a unique place in the history of the human family. The great prayer she shared with her cousin Elizabeth, says ‘all generations will call me blessed.’ Her yes is ‘for all future generations.’ Project Compassion invites us all to honour God’s plan to create justice for the whole human family. Your support creates a ripple effect; it is a ripple of hope for those in need to escape the cycle of poverty.

Project Compassion 2023 shares the stories of four inspiring people, and programs that are focussed on creating lasting change.

Laxmi, a resilient young woman living in Nepal, lost her father at a young age and was at risk of dropping out of school and being entrenched in a life of poverty. The generosity of people like you helped support a child’s club, where she developed the skills and confidence to become a leader. Laxmi is now a strong young woman, on her way to fulfil her life-long dream of becoming a civil engineer. 

Priscilla in Zimbabwe has seen her job as a farm worker heavily impacted by climate change-induced drought. Training in conservation farming practices meant she was able to rebuild her farm for a better income and better well-being for her family. On top of this, she has been able to diversify her sources of income so she is less financially vulnerable.

Tereesa, a First Nations Gamilaroi woman living on Darug land, faced huge hurdles in providing housing for her children as a single mum of four.  

Through Caritas Australia’s partner, Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation, Tereesa was able to reconnect with her culture through art, access driving lessons, and secure the housing and psychological support she needed to create a better future for her children.  

We also share the story of Thu from Vietnam, who sadly lost his leg on a land mine during the Vietnam War. An incredibly resourceful man, Thu rice farms, herds cattle, repairs bikes, hair-dresses, and on top of all this, is a full-time carer for his wife Linh who also faces disability. Caritas Australia helped support a savings and loan club in his village, that helped him and countless others find a way to earn a living.  

Project Compassion is all about giving people the chances they deserve to thrive. We are blessed by the generosity of each and every one of you – whether by sharing the inspiring stories from Project Compassion with your family and friends, setting up a community or online fundraiser, or by simply donating, you are doing something extraordinary! Your support really does change lives every day, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things that come out of this year’s Project Compassion.