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Friendships and food security in Timor-Leste

Michael and friends smiling to the camera
Michael Musgrave (second right) with teachers from NOSSEF secondary school in Railaco.

Enduring friendships

"Bring nothing. The local people will give to you,” said Fr Steve Sinn SJ in 2009, parish priest of St Canice’s, in Sydney.

Parishioners were off to their sister parish of Railaco, Timor-Leste. They did not understand what he meant at the time. They soon experienced the generosity of the Timorese – who had much to give – hospitality, wisdom, faith, and a sense of shared humanity

“I have so many memorable experiences of visiting the programs in my six visits over the years. The most memorable was when I accompanied 18 others from St Canice’s in 2019 to come and witness first-hand what our parish was making possible,” said Michael Musgrave, parishioner and champion fundraiser at
St Canice’s Parish.

This year on the Feast Day of Saint Ignatius, St Canice’s Parish raised a record-breaking $16,000 to support the nutrition and educational works in their Jesuit sister parish Railaco.

“Over these years I have formed friendships with the many Jesuits connected with Railaco. My better understanding of what drives their dedication inspires my own faith.”

James talking to children in their veggie patch
James Hill, Chair of Pilgrims 100, visiting a school food security project.

Developing food security

In Timor-Leste, the vast majority of people are affected by food insecurity. Worse yet, 46% of children under five suffer from malnutrition.

To create lasting change, in 2022 our local partner Jesuit Social Service Timor-Leste established the Food Security Project.

Since its inception, the project has provided almost 1,200 farming families with training to boost agricultural production, along with education on nutrition and healthy eating.

In 2024, this innovative project was supported by Pilgrims 100, an inspiring collective-giving group. Launched by St Ignatius Norwood (SA) parishioners in conjunction with Jesuit Mission, the group now has 98 members each giving $1,000 to a project of their choosing each year.

Members of Pilgrims 100 had the pleasure of visiting the farms of our friends in Timor-Leste. They witnessed the ways the project is not only improving harvests, but is allowing families to build a sustainable income so they can save money to send their children to school, invest in their health, and begin to pursue opportunities that were once out of reach.

This story featured in our Gratitude Report - 2024. Download the report


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Update: Typhoon Yagi and Lebanon emergency responses

Thanks to generous contributions to our Emergency Action Fund in 2024, we have continued working closely with local Jesuit partners overseas to bring desperately needed relief to communities devastated by conflict and natural disasters.

A family fleeing from flooding. One son carries his grandmother on his back.

Typhoon Yagi

Typhoon Yagi, one of the strongest storms to hit Southeast Asia in decades, brought severe flooding and landslides to Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos.

Widespread damage to homes, infrastructure and agriculture displaced hundreds of thousands of people and affected every aspect of life, including food supply.

Thanks to the generosity of our Jesuit Mission family, our local partners delivered essential food supplies and drinking water to communities in Vietnam, assisted families and repaired schools in Laos, and provided 18,000 people in Myanmar with food, medicine, shelter, livelihood opportunities, and education programs.

"Amid the turmoil and uncertainty, a powerful light of courage has shone brightly through the darkness. 2024 has brought its own tests, with intensified conflict and devastating floods affecting countless lives in Myanmar. But even in the face of these hardships, the spirit of the people is hard to break." – A Jesuit in Myanmar.

A Jesuit Relief Services worker inspects a site destroyed by a bomb

Lebanon

Since September 2024, intensive bombing devastated Lebanon, displacing over 1.2 million people.

The humanitarian situation was dire, with 75% of hospitals under critical strain and 85% of shelters operating at or above capacity. Coupled with the country’s ongoing economic crisis, this escalating violence pushed vulnerable families to the brink, with women and children most severely affected.

Thanks to your vital contributions, Jesuit Refugee Service Middle East and North Africa (JRS MENA) were able to provide immediate emergency support to collective shelters – many of which are located in Jesuit schools and Jesuit-run centres.

Through our Emergency Action Fund, you helped deliver over 5,000 meals, 1,900 food baskets and 9,000 litres of clean drinking water, along with cleaning kits, blankets, heating fuel and ongoing psychosocial support for over 14,000 displaced people and many more in the years to come.

"This work isn’t just about providing aid; it’s about restoring hope," – Nada Al Myr, Project Director for JRS Baalbek, Lebanon.

This story featured in our Gratitude Report - 2024. Download the report


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Embracing the spirit of social justice

The students standing together behind the Beauty Bags Stall at the Fair.
Sienna College senior students volunteering at the Beauty Bags Stall at the Maytime Fair.

We’re profoundly grateful for the dedication of all our volunteers, committees, schools, and parishes who worked on a wonderful array of fundraising events and projects in 2024.

Your efforts embody the values of justice, equality and solidarity, and every dollar you’ve raised will help empower marginalised members of our global family in more than 10 countries.

"The deeper meaning of your work is the fact that you have touched the lives of people far away, people you’ve never seen before, people whose results of your efforts you will not know.,” – Fr Tony Herbert SJ, Hazaribag Missionary of over 50 years speaking at the closing mass for the 2024 Jesuit Mission Bazaar.

Four fundraising golfers standing behind a Jesuit Mission sign on the golf course

The best part of our day

Making calls to express our heartfelt gratitude for your contributions is one of the most rewarding things we do.

Kate, our Supporter Relations Officer, loves hearing the stories of our donors and learning about their deep, ongoing connections with our global Jesuit Mission family.

"Our donors show such compassion and love through their contributions,” she says.“They are the foundation on which the project work of Jesuit Mission can happen, and the only and natural answer is gratitude.”

Kate smiling to camera in the garden
Kate Lopez

Fr Paul Horan SJ, companion of Jesuit Mission and Hazaribag missionary for over 40 years, says speaking with our wonderful supporters is a reminder of the value of community and the importance of faith in giving meaning to our lives.

“We get a lot out of speaking with donors,” he says.“We get a sense of people’s faith, their loyalty to the church and to Jesuit Mission – it’s very moving.”

Fathers Paul and Tony outside a church
Fr Paul Horan SJ and Fr Tony Herbert SJ

This story featured in our Gratitude Report - 2024. Download the report


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Messages of hope and solidarity to Myanmar from Australia

People from the Our Lady of the Way Parish walking with one foot raised for Myanmar

In the week coinciding with the feast day of St Ignatius of Loyola, Australian Catholics of all ages participated in our One Foot Raised campaign, to raise awareness, prayers and an incredible $54,000 for the people of Myanmar.

A huge thank you to all of our supporters for participating, including Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview (NSW), Xavier College (VIC), Our Lady of the Way Parish North Sydney (NSW), The Cardoner Network (NSW), Saint Ignatius College Geelong (VIC), Sevenhill and Riverton Parishes (SA), and Jesuit and Ignatian Spirituality Australia.

In addition, Jesuit Mission supporters and Year 5 and 6 students from Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview wrote letters of love, hope and support for the people of Myanmar.

We continue to pray for peace and justice for all those affected by conflict.

Upon reading the letters, our project partner shared their thanks with you and our compassionate supporters.

“Thank you so much for all your thoughts, prayers, support and solidarity! All the words and messages are really encouraging, and we feel God’s love through those messages…Please know that you, your team, and your loved ones are in our prayers too. Thank you for all your support in many ways to the people of Myanmar!”

Handwritten messages of support for the people of Myanmar

This story featured in our Gratitude Report - 2024. Download the report

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Read about our work in Myanmar and how you can help. Find out more


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Never set limits

Chantrea putting her new hairdressing skills into practice in a hair salon.

43-year-old Cambodian refugee, Chantrea, has lived in Thailand for eight years after fleeing with her father to avoid political persecution.

Living in Bangkok and lacking legal recognition, they’ve been struggling to survive from day one.

In August, Chantrea gained new hope when she met the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Asia Pacific team and enrolled in the Urban Education Project for Refugees. Now she’s training to be a hairdresser – and loving it.

Through the project she’s made friends from different backgrounds and learnt new skills that will help her one day open a beauty salon, either in Thailand or, if safe, back home in Cambodia.

Facing each day with resilience and optimism for the future, Chantrea says “Never set limits. Learn no limit… It is the right thing to empower others to be stronger.”

She hopes to open a beauty salon, either in Thailand or, if safe, back home in Cambodia.

About the project

Countless refugees and asylum-seekers from around the world arrive in Thailand’s bustling capital Bangkok each year.

But without legal access to jobs or education, many find themselves highly vulnerable – living on the margins, exposed to exploitation, with few opportunities to improve their situation.

Seeing this urgent need, our local partner JRS Asia Pacific, developed the ‘Urban Education Project for Refugees’ that supports at-risk asylum seekers and refugees.

Chantrea and her customer reflected in the mirror of the hair salon

“Never set limits. Learn no limit… It is the right thing to empower others to be stronger."

Participants undertake six-month practical training courses in basic Thai or English language skills, and vocational training such as computer skills, beauty treatments or sewing.

Thanks to the generous support of our donors, courses are free of charge, and students can access a financial package to help with housing, food and transport.

The project initially focussed on young people aged 16 to 24, but has now expanded to include vulnerable older refugees who are eager to learn.

In 2024, 310 refugees and asylum seekers like Chantrea – two-thirds of them women – were supported through this inspirational project, gaining essential skills to build a better future.

This story featured in our Gratitude Report - 2024. Download the report

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A year of gratitude

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Australian Catholic community in 2024, over 530,000 people were empowered through Jesuit Mission Australia-supported programs in 13 countries around the world.

Together, the global Jesuit community responded swiftly to urgent needs—offering vital support in the face of escalating conflicts in Myanmar and Lebanon, and providing emergency relief after devastating natural disasters like Typhoon Yagi.

This urgent support was made possible by the dedication of Jesuit partners, who stood alongside vulnerable communities, offering not just immediate aid but also ongoing support—uplifting people in their darkest moments.

“It’s been a blessing to see our warm and wonderful community come together to pray, act and respond," said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.

“I’ve been humbled time and again by the compassion of the Australian community and our Jesuit partners. I am also deeply grateful to Jesuit Father General Arturo Sosa and the Jesuit Major Superiors from Asia Pacific, who visited our office to share first-hand accounts of the transformative impact of their work, inspiring us all,” said Ms Forde.

Last year, in classrooms around the world, 32,000 eager students unlocked the doors to brighter futures through quality education. For 37,000 refugees, hope was rekindled through education, skills training, housing, and psychosocial support—empowering them to rebuild their lives. Additionally, over 62,000 people accessed urgent medical care, preserving their dignity and well-being even in the most challenging circumstances.

Working alongside Jesuit partners, Jesuit Mission supports vulnerable communities, delivering programs in areas of education, livelihoods, agriculture, water and sanitation, emergency response, refugee accompaniment, and pastoral services.

“Please enjoy reading the stories of impact in this Gratitude Report and join me in keeping the displaced and marginalised members of our global family in your thoughts and prayers."


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Gratitude Report - 2024

Jesuit Mission Australia invites you to discover the stories of hope, resilience, and transformation in the 2024 Gratitude Report.

Your support in 2024 contributed to 66 life-giving projects, reaching 530,022 people across 13 countries.

Through your compassion, our Jesuit partners delivered emergency relief and long-term, transformative support, empowering vulnerable communities through education, training, and accompaniment around the world.

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Lighting the path to education in India

Anika says that one day she wants to become a police officer to catch thieves

For children living in rural villages in Hazaribag, India, the ‘Ankur Project’ has sparked a love of learning and inspired dreams of a wider world.

"I didn’t know how to read before, but now I can!" says Anika, aged eight. "One day, I want to enrol in high school far away and become a police officer to catch thieves."

Initially created in response to the closure of schools during COVID-19, our local partner the Hazaribag Jesuits, developed the Ankur project to provide ongoing access to education for Dalit children, who are part of the group of marginalised people formerly referred to as ‘untouchables’.

With kind support from our donors, the Ankur project has seen outstanding growth. From five tuition centres opened in 2020, the project has grown to include 100 centres that supported over 2,000 children in 2024.

Staffed by tutors from the same indigenous Bhuiyan community as the children, Ankur students learn English, Hindi and maths, as well as the skills they’ll need to continue their education and access new opportunities.

The project also embraces parents, nurturing their commitment to educating their children.

Staffed by tutors from the same indigenous Bhuiyan community as the children, Ankur students learn English, Hindi and maths, as well as the skills they’ll need to continue their education and access new opportunities.

For Anika’s mother, the benefits of the project are clear.

"I send her every day because I want her to study more,” said Anika's mum. “I only studied up to Grade 6, but I want her to go further and have a bright future."

Anika in class writing in her workbook

This story featured in our Gratitude Report - 2024. Download the report

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Urgent aid needed for Myanmar earthquake survivors

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Our sisters and brothers in Myanmar desperately need your support after a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country on 28 March.

Jesuit Mission Australia is working with local partners and Church network organisations to provide critical food, clean water, shelter, hygiene, sanitation and medical equipment, and psychosocial support to those most impacted by the earthquake.

The earthquake has claimed over 3,600 lives, with thousands more injured or missing. In some cities at least 80% of buildings and houses are totally destroyed.

This disaster adds to the country's already fragile state after more than four years of relentless conflict. Communities face starvation, disease, displacement, and violence as their daily reality, with political violence, economic collapse, and recent floods that have collectively displaced over 3.5 million people.

Access to clean water and electricity is limited in many regions, and infrastructure, including roads and bridges, has been severely damaged, making aid delivery difficult. Three hospitals have been crushed and people are being treated outside on the streets. Healthcare facilities are overwhelmed, and the risk of waterborne diseases is high.

Through your generosity, together, we can help our partners remain by the side of the Burmese people, ready to provide vital aid and support as this situation develops.

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“The situation is dire, and the suffering is unimaginable. The people of Myanmar have faced relentless challenges in recent years, and this disaster has only compounded their hardship," said a Jesuit on the ground.

“Yet, amid the darkness, your love shines through…With your continued solidarity—through prayers, awareness, and aid—we can bring light to these shadows."

Tragically, one of the young teachers from a Jesuit Mission-supported school in Yangon, the Campion Institute, lost her life as she was visiting Mandalay when the earthquake destroyed her accommodation.

“Let us hold the people of Myanmar in our hearts and prayers, that they may find strength, comfort, and hope in this darkest hour," said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.

Jesuit Mission Australia is committed to uplifting the people of Myanmar in the wake of this devastating crisis. Please donate today:  

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  • $47 could provide an emergency food and water kit for a family
  • $126 could provide 5 families with hygiene kits, medical supplies and bedding
  • $435 could provide 5 families with a shelter kit
A religious community stands at the altar of their severly damaged Church.

We must act now.

To provide immediate relief to those displaced by the earthquake, donate to the Myanmar Earthquake Response now

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Clean water reaches almost 150,000 in Vietnam, but more help is needed

In partnership with the Vietnam Province of the Society of Jesus, your generosity is providing safe, affordable drinking water and hope to thousands of vulnerable families in Central Vietnam.

For many communities in Central Vietnam, access to clean water is a daily struggle. Industrial pollution has contaminated the oceans, wiping out livelihoods in fishing communities, while poor agricultural practices have contaminated freshwater sources.

As a result, families are forced to choose between purchasing expensive bottled water or risking their health by drinking unsafe water, leading to serious illnesses such as stomach ulcers, kidney disease, and even cancer.

Since 2020, your support has helped the Vietnamese Province to install Reverse Osmosis Ultraviolet (RO UV) clean water stations in villages throughout Central Vietnam. These high-tech filtration systems provide sustainable, long-term access to safe drinking water, maintained by local communities.

“Thanks to our generous supporters in Australia, the Vietnam Water Project has already provided clean water to over 149,000 people. However, with hundreds of thousands still at risk, the need for support remains urgent," said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.

Without reliable access to clean water, entire generations of Central Vietnam families will remain trapped in a cycle of poverty.

In 2025, the Jesuits in Vietnam aim to construct 20 more water stations, reaching an additional 20,000 people across 20 villages.

The impact of these water stations extends beyond just health benefits. In Quang Binh province, 66-year-old Lanh no longer spends half her income on bottled water, allowing her to afford essential food and medicine.

While Lanh and her husband once earned a living as rice farmers, he is now unable to work due to illness. They had relied on whatever income their two adult children could send to support them until now.

For young mother Nga, the water station is more than just a source of clean water—it has become a place of connection and support.

“I love the community spirit and coming together to talk and share experiences with one another."

We invite you to support this life-changing initiative.

Donations to the Vietnam Water Project will provide safe water to those in need, ensuring a future where no family has to choose between drinking water and survival.

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2025 Golf Day

Thank you for supporting the 21st Annual Jesuit Mission Golf Day on 28 February! With a record 120 golfers and 160 dinner guests, we raised over $41,000 for Jesuit Mission’s Clean Water Project in Timor-Leste, helping bring clean water to thousands.

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