A gift that lasts

"We have done what we can but always wish we could do more." - Debbie and David De Souza are long-time Jesuit Mission supporters who have generously chosen to leave a gift in their Wills.

Before coming to Australia, Debbie and David both grew up in India with strong connections to the Jesuits and Ignatian spirituality. Debbie attended a Jesuit parish and David attended the St Stanislaus Jesuit school in Bombay, where he received an education that instilled a lasting commitment to service in him.

"The Jesuits in my school challenged us to do better, extend ourselves. I didn’t realise it then, but it moulded me into the person that I am today," said David.

Debbie and David’s support of Jesuit Mission began when they arrived in Melbourne in 1999.

"Keith our son started at Kostka Hall (Xavier College Junior School), and from that year I began volunteering at the Maytime Fair. When I was growing up (in India) the marginalised were shunned… you didn’t talk about them, you didn’t associate with them and to find out our Australian Jesuits are back there in the remote areas, giving their time, their money, we just wanted to support them in whatever way we could," said Debbie.

When the opportunity to visit Hazaribag presented itself, Debbie couldn’t wait to see how the funds raised by our Jesuit Mission family were making a difference to our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.

"It was the best experience, I could see that so much of what they raise here for the missions goes overseas…Priests in their 80s are still riding scooters and going to remote villagers to hear confessions, teach the children and empower women to start their own businesses," said Debbie.

Every gift, regardless of size, is vitally important and something you and your loved ones can be proud of.

For a confidential discussion on leaving your own legacy, please contact our Supporter Relations Manager, Susan Vaz on 02 8918 4107 or susan.vaz@jesuitmission.org.au.