Partners that Make a Difference

This morning, amidst a hub of excitement in the office, we welcomed four of Caritas Australia's partners from around the world — Vietnam, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Throughout Lent these international guest speakers will share their personal accounts of poverty and opportunity with communities, schools and parishes around Australia.

Visit the Project Compassion events page to find an event near you.

Nguyet from Vietnam is the Inclusive Education Program Manager at Catholic Relief Services, one of Caritas Australia’s in-country partners. An activist for the inclusive education movement for almost 10 years, Nguyet is committed to ensuring the most vulnerable have opportunities to access life-changing education and services. In partnership with local organisations, Nguyet has been involved in capacity building, community development and awareness-raising projects to improve educational and healthcare services for children with disabilities. At the same time, she collaborates with policy-making agencies such as the Ministry of Education and Training and the National Coordinating Committee on Disabilities.

Dr Bruno Nyenge is the National Director of Caritas Congo. In a nation mired by bloody conflict, where violence against women is used widely as a weapon of war, Caritas Congo works to build lasting peace and facilitate meaningful reconciliation between the victims and perpetrators of violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In the DRC the continued presence of militia, entrenched poverty and political tension present significant challenges to authentic human development in the country’s vulnerable communities. Together with Caritas Australia, Caritas Congo is working to overcome these structural barriers, and through his work Bruno hopes to one day see dignity restored for those who call the DRC home.

With compassion and love, Father Silas from Nepal has spent his life reaching out to the poorest of the poor. For the past eight years Father Silas Bogati has worked as the Executive Director of Caritas Nepal, Caritas Australia’s local partner. “Poverty is the root cause of all our problems. We are trying to help people to come out of poverty and to start a dignified life. My dream is to see Nepal free of poverty; no discrimination on the basis of cast or creed. “When we notice the impact our programs have on people, how their lives have changed, I am inspired to continue the work we are doing. Through our program we have reached out to many people whose lives we try to touch for better.”

Father George is the National Director of Caritas Sri Lanka, Caritas Australia’s partner in the war-torn island nation. Father George knows first-hand the humanitarian, human rights, and migration challenges that come with intractable conflict. He oversees projects that seek to rehabilitate war victims, and restore livelihoods and education for vulnerable and marginal communities. “For us, the biggest challenge right now is the rehabilitation of war-affected people. People are exposed to inhuman conditions such as food insecurity, health risks, unsafe drinking water and inadequate basic shelter. “The suffering of Sri Lanka’s people pushes us to do something. The spirit of the vulnerable communities inspires me to serve them in whatever way possible.”