Together, we can give the gift of care this Christmas
Many children living with a disability in Asia and the Pacific are impoverished, cannot attend school, and experience bullying and discrimination.
To help these children get the services they need now, Australian Marist Solidarity has launched a Christmas appeal.
The Give the gift of care this Christmas campaign will fund disability services projects in our nearest neighbouring countries.
Donating to the appeal is a gift that will change lives. AMS has a strong history of supporting inclusive, all-access educational opportunities for vulnerable young people in Asia and the Pacific.
Projects such as:
- the Marist Champagnat Institute in Fiji, which offers programs to young people with learning disabilities who have struggled to fit into mainstream schooling.
- KATILOSA in Timor-Leste, a program that works to improve the lives of children and youth with disabilities by catering for their needs, advocating for their human rights and educating those around them
- the Anondo Neer centre in Bangladesh, which enables people with a disability to receive medical care, life skill training, basic physiotherapy, literacy and numeracy education, income generating skills and opportunities for socialisation outside of their home.
- LaValla in Cambodia, a boarding school that caters for children and young people with physical disabilities, means children can attend primary school on site, and then stay in safe, accessible accommodation when attending the local high school.
With our supporters’ help, children living with a disability in these regions will get the services they need.
By giving the gift of care this Christmas, together, we will change their lives. Funds from the campaign will provide support that means children with a disability will be able to attend school; have improved health and education outcomes, experience less discrimination; and increase their feelings of self-worth and confidence.
Donations will help children like Bopha, who is in her early teens in Cambodia.
“I’m Bopha and I live in the north of Cambodia with my mum, dad, three sisters and two brothers. I was diagnosed with polio at a young age and now I use a wheelchair.
I used to attend a local primary school but it was difficult because I wasn’t treated well and other children discriminated against me because of my disability.
My mum and dad enrolled me into La Valla [a school funded by AMS] and it has been life changing for me. I’ve made lots of friends and it is much easier for me to move around easily with my wheelchair.
I completed my primary school education at La Valla and because of that I was able to graduate to high school where I’m very happy and have lots of friends. I hope to continue to Grade 12 and study to become a primary school teacher.”
Donations are tax-deductable and will help children with a disability gain the care and skills they need to achieve their potential.
Together, we can bring inclusive educational opportunities to vulnerable young people in Asia and the Pacific.
To donate, please visit the AMS website at https://www.australianmaristsolidarity.net.au/ or call (07) 3354 0600.