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Legacy of compassion

Thanks to kind gifts left by Jesuit Mission supporters in their Wills, the lives of vulnerable young people in Cambodia are being transformed through educational scholarships.

Before receiving a scholarship to Xavier Jesuit School (XJS), Rany never imagined she’d have the opportunity to complete her schooling.

"If I wasn’t in this program, I may have already stopped studying,” she says.

Like many in her rural community in northern Cambodia, Rany’s family has faced many challenges.

With little education, her parents worked tirelessly to provide for the family, often crossing the border to work in Thailand for extended periods.

But thanks to the scholarship she received four years ago, Rany is now getting the education she needs to build a pathway out of poverty for her and her family.

With the inspiring objective “Dare to Dream of a Brighter Future”, XJS was founded in 2015 by our local Jesuit partner Jesuit Service Cambodia.

The school offers more than 800 students in one of the poorest regions of Cambodia affordable, comprehensive education across the full Cambodian curriculum, including English, Khmer, maths and computer studies.

For scholarship students, like Rany, the costs of food, accommodation, school fees, and uniforms are funded by bequest gifts from Jesuit Mission supporters like you, allowing students to fully participate in school without placing any financial burden on their families.

Now in Year 12, Rany has been thriving at XJS, regularly receiving class honours. She plans to go on to study Khmer Literature at university and one day become a middle school teacher.

"I hope I can return to my village and share my knowledge. I want to do this because I know not many kids in my village have the opportunity to learn." she says.

We are deeply grateful to every compassionate person who has left a gift in their Will to Jesuit Mission. The impact of their legacy is profound and will be felt for generations to come by students like Rany, her family and community.

Click here to learn more about leaving your own legacy, or for a confidential discussion, you can contact Susan Vaz on 02 8918 4109 or susan.vaz@jesuitmission.org.au

This story is from our 2023 Gratitude Report. Click the link below to read more about your impact last year in uplifting over 550,000 people around the world.

Read 2023 Gratitude Report More

Awakening futures

"I want the children to see and be awakened just like I was,” said Chanchla, a Dalit woman who now recognises the value of her rights, her voice and her entitlements.

In coastal communities of India, Dalit people face ongoing challenges, lacking resources and quality education as well as experiencing exclusion and discrimination. Chanchla, a member of one such community, found hope through the Lok Manch program, run by our partner, the Jesuit Research and Development Society.

She joined a women's group and learnt about her rights and entitlements.

Empowerment is key to the project – uplifting women like Chanchla and amplifying their voices to bring opportunity and independence.

Chanchla dropped out of school at an early age, married young and had never known about government schemes to support her and her community, or the value of education.

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"Chanchla herself is uneducated and illiterate, but her passion and commitment to get her children educated is touching,” said Liz Kim, International Programs Coordinator of Jesuit Mission, who met Chanchla on her recent project-monitoring trip to India with Kath Rosic, International Programs Director of Jesuit Mission.

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"Liz and I attended a community meeting with more than 100 people. It was my first time to visit the Lok Manch project, and I was overwhelmed by the excitement and gratitude that was shared,” said Kath.

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"Chanchla was so happy to be included in the program, to learn and have the ability and support to access her entitlements,” said Kath.

Through the transformative impact of education, Chanchla and her community can begin to build pathways out of poverty, to stand up for their rights and live with dignity.

Her passion to ‘awaken others’ by encouraging them to prioritise education will uplift her community today and for generations to come.

Jesuit Mission Maytime Fair Saturday 4 May

Purchase rides passes

Save the date! The Jesuit Mission Maytime Fair is on Saturday 4 May at Xavier College, Kew in Melbourne.

The Maytime Fair is a grassroots community event attracting over 5,000 participants acting in solidarity to create a more inclusive and just world.

The Maytime Fair has been held at Xavier College on the first Saturday in May every year since 1952 (except for the ‘lockdown years’), raising funds to support Jesuit Mission’s life-giving development programs overseas.

All proceeds from the day will support the work of Jesuit Mission to empower vulnerable communities in over 10 countries in Asia and Africa, including Cambodia, Timor-Leste, India, Myanmar, Thailand, Malawi and more.

"I look forward to this celebration of hope and resilience. We stand together at the Maytime Fair, united in our mission to create positive change for our vulnerable sisters and brothers around the world,” said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.

Since the year 2000, the Melbourne community has raised over $3 million from the Maytime Fair. This is a substantial amount of funds that has empowered thousands of women, men and children to develop the skills and capacity to lift themselves out of poverty and injustice.

The Fair will include entertainment for parents and children with a huge array of food, music, rides, arts and crafts, games, plant stalls, book stalls, a wine auction, sports, face painting, raffles, showbags and lots more.

"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the incredible team of generous volunteers, the Maytime Fair Committee, local parishes and to all schools involved, without you this wonderful day would not be possible,” said Ms Forde.

You are invited to join the Xavier College community in supporting Jesuit Mission at the Maytime Fair on Saturday 4 May.

When: 9:00am – 5:00pm Saturday 4 May 2024 Where: Xavier College Senior Campus, 135 Barkers Road, Kew

Click here for more information on the Maytime Fair, including purchasing rides passes, donating wine for our popular wine auction and more.

Purchase rides passes

*Jesuit Mission staff, volunteers and Xavier College staff.*

A movement of uplift: then and now

Read Gratitude Report

Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Australian Catholic community in 2023, over half a million people were empowered through Jesuit Mission Australia-supported programs in 14 countries around the world.

Jesuit Mission’s latest annual Gratitude Report reveals the continuing impact of the legacy of the first six young Australian Jesuits who travelled to India in 1951. Their mission sparked a movement of uplift that brought quality education and opportunity for marginalised communities in Hazaribag, India and later expanded around the world.

"Last year, 25,000 individuals in remote communities gained access to vital healthcare, 23,000 people received clean water facilities and over 25,000 refugees received much needed education, livelihood training, psychosocial support and housing assistance,” said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.

"I want to sincerely thank our whole Jesuit Mission family – for the support you’ve provided throughout the year.”

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

These Jesuit partners have also stood in solidarity alongside 171,000 people in crisis around the world, providing emergency relief and long-term assistance to people in Myanmar, Ukraine, Syria and South Sudan.

"Please join me in a moment of reflection as you read our Gratitude Report. Every story of hope and transformative change is only possible through the love, compassion and generosity from people like you in our community,” said Ms Forde.

Jesuit Mission Australia invites you to read the 2023 Gratitude Report, a salute to the courage, the zeal, and the audacity of all of the Australian Hazaribag Jesuits, past and present and the impact of their legacy in inspiring positive change around the world today.

Read Gratitude Report More

Call for ceasefire and humanitarian assistance in Gaza

*Xavier Network members at a recent meeting in Dublin, Ireland.*

Jesuit Mission Australia and The Xavier Network strongly support the statement issued by the Society of Jesus on 29 March condemning the on-going violence in Gaza and other areas of Israel/Palestine, spilling over into the surrounding countries in the Middle East, echoing its words: “We cannot be silent.”

These Jesuit organisations involved in responding to humanitarian crises around the world, are shocked at the killing of seven aid workers who were delivering essential food aid on 2 April. It is reported that 196 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since last October. This is the latest horrific event in a war in which tens of thousands of civilians, many of them children, continue to be the main victims.

Jesuit Mission and the Xavier Network, join the Jesuits’ call for “an immediate ceasefire, for the release of all the 7 October hostages, for negotiations and for the beginning of a process that will bring freedom, liberty and justice for all in the Middle East, the only road to true peace.”

"The human cost of inaction is simply too high. As leaders committed to the Jesuit values of compassion and justice, let us stand together, united in our commitment to peace and compassion,” said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.

The Xavier Network brings together Jesuit mission offices and non-governmental organisations from across Europe, North America and Australia. It responds to the needs of victims of conflict, many of whom are civilians, in many parts of the world, including in Syria and Lebanon.

For this reason, members of the Xavier Network are deeply disturbed by the current conflict in the Middle East, just as it also deplores the violence inflicted on innocent victims of other conflicts such as those in Sudan, South Sudan, Myanmar, Haiti, Ukraine and many other places.

The members of the Xavier Network call for:

• an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

• the opening of a humanitarian corridor to allow the immediate delivery of aid to Gaza with guaranteed safe passage of all aid workers

• respect for international humanitarian law and the Geneva conventions governing the legal use of force in armed conflict

• the unconditional release of all hostages abducted on 7 October 2023

• an end to all arms sales which are fuelling this conflict

• the resumption of negotiations towards a political agreement which guarantees the right of the two peoples to self-determination, security and freedom

In his Easter message on 31 March, Pope Francis appealed for a ceasefire: “Let us not allow the current hostilities to continue to have grave repercussions on the civil population, by now at the limit of its endurance, and above all on the children….War is always an absurdity and a defeat.”

The Xavier Network supports international solidarity and the universal mission of the Society of Jesus as stated in its General Congregation 36: “Our vision is to place faith, justice, and solidarity with the poor and excluded as central elements of the mission of reconciliation.” (D1 para 3)

The members of the Xavier Network are:

· ALBOAN, Spain

· Canadian Jesuits International, Canada

· Entreculturas, Spain

· Fundação Gonçalo da Silveira, Portugal

· Irish Jesuits International, Ireland

· Jesuit Mission Australia

· Jesuit Missions, Britain

· Menschen für Andere-jesuitenweltweit, Austria

· Jesuitenmission, Germany

· MAGIS Italy

· Magis Americas, USA

· Oeuvre des Missions Catholiques Françaises d’Asie et d’Afrique, France

· Stiftung Jesuiten weltweit, Switzerland

The ripple effects of water

On this World Water Day, Jesuit Mission Australia would like to thank the generous support of the Australian Catholic community in providing clean and safe water to over 137,000 people in Timor-Leste and Vietnam over the last four years.

Jesuit Mission’s water projects bring life-changing new water systems to remote and coastal villages, ensuring children have access to safe drinking water, accessible toilet facilities and practice good hygiene to contribute to their well-being and vitality.

This year’s World Water Day theme ‘Water for Peace’ highlights the ripple effect and critical role of clean water in providing stability and prosperity around the world.

"Today we are reminded of the profound impact that access to safe water and sanitation has on individuals and communities," said Helen forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission Australia.

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"In rural Timor-Leste, the burden of collecting water often falls to women and children, who have to walk up to five hours each day, carrying heavy containers of water. This limits the hours in the day women have to earn income and partake in other opportunities, while many children also miss out on receiving an education."

"Access to clean water is life-giving, encourages school attendance, and inspires new livelihood opportunities and healthier environments," said Ms Forde.

Project partner of Jesuit Mission Australia, Jesuit Social Service Timor-Leste (JSS), last year installed six new water systems and 15 sanitation facilities in rural Timorese communities.

The average time for a round-trip to collect water has been substantially reduced to less than 30 minutes. Community members are empowered to take ownership of the management of water in their villages and learn how to protect and conserve an ecosystem that supports the sustainability of water.

"After 20 years of independence, many Timorese living in rural areas still do not have access to basic water facilities," says Fr Júlio Sosa SJ, Director of JSS Timor-Leste.

"We thought that as Jesuits we could help lessen this burden." says Fr Júlio Sosa SJ, Director of JSS Timor-Leste.

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"Water helps our children grow. We want them to be teachers, doctors, and engineers. We want them to have a good life," said Jonia, a mother, and village chief in the community of Railaco in Timor-Leste.

In coastal regions of Vietnam, contamination of surface water by agricultural activities and pollution has meant vulnerable local fishing families have had to choose between buying expensive bottled water or risking severe illness from unsafe tap water.

"Due to chemical farming, the water sources in Hong Ky village in Nghe An Province, and their neighbouring areas are highly contaminated. Currently there are 60 villagers who got cancer due to using polluted water," said Fr Peter Truong Van Phuc SJ, Program Director.

Thanks to Australia supporters, UV-sterilised water stations have been installed in high risk communities in Central Vietnam, and villagers can now access clean water, having an immediate impact on their health and dignity.

Pili, an inspirational leader for International Women’s Day

On this International Women's Day, Jesuit Mission Australia celebrates the transformative journey of Pili, a young woman from rural Cambodia whose life has been reshaped through education and empowerment, thanks to the generous support of the Australian Catholic community.

Cambodia's education system grapples with significant challenges.

Only 42% of Cambodian students in rural areas complete primary school, and only one in ten students complete high school.

Pili (left) with Bishop Kike Figaredo SJ, Battambang Apostolic Prefect and Director of the Battambang Education Project.

Pili's life story reflects the harsh realities faced by many young individuals in Cambodia. Her parents, hardworking farmers, struggled to support her education beyond Grade 5. However, Pili received a Jesuit scholarship to attend the Taehen Student Centre, one of the six student centres run by the Battambang Education Project in partnership with Jesuit Mission Australia.

Pili's scholarship was truly life-changing.

"When I lived at home, I didn’t have the confidence to talk or share my ideas with others. Living at the centre, I grew in confidence. I felt the centre was my second home," said Pili.

The Battambang Education Project, committed to uplifting vulnerable youth in Northwest Cambodia, provides students like Pili with scholarships, accommodation, and holistic care.

Pili has not only beaten the odds and completed her education, she has completed tertiary studies, returned to work in the Apostolic Prefecture of Battambang, and also volunteers at the Taehen Student Centre, sharing her knowledge with the next generation.

Pili's journey continued with her earning a Bachelor of Accounting and Finance and completing a leadership course in 2023.

Remarkably, she now serves as the Project Manager of the Battambang Education Project, proudly leading the very program that transformed her own life.

"Pili showcases the ripple effect of positive change that starts with just one individual," said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission.

"We are proud to be part of Pili's transformative story and remain dedicated to creating opportunities that empower more women to break free from the cycle of poverty."

Since her father passed away two years ago, Pili is now the primary income earner in her family. She takes care of her bedridden mother, pays for the education of two of her younger sisters, and cares for her niece and nephew who now live with her so they too can get a quality education.

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"From her deep suffering has come compassion and joy. Pili encourages the students to take on new opportunities and to uplift the community," shared Bishop Kike Figaredo SJ, Battambang Apostolic Prefect and Director of the Battambang Education Project.

Pili's story exemplifies the theme for International Women's Day in 2024: Invest in Women – Accelerate Progress.

Pili (centre) at Jesuit Mission's International Partners meeting.

An investment in educating a girl today, will enable tomorrow’s women to be powerful forces for change in their community and society. As we celebrate this day, let Pili's journey inspire us all to invest in initiatives that include and uplift the most vulnerable, who may then lead and accelerate transforming their country’s future.

In 2024, your kind support could help open a world of new opportunity for vulnerable and excluded people, such as students from rural areas who are missing out on an education.

Click here to make a donation to provide quality education and scholarships to more young people like Pili.

DONATE NOW More

Two years of steadfast support for over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees

*Art class for Ukrainian children. Photographer: Sergi Cámara*.

Two years on from the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the Jesuits in Europe, with the support of the Australian Catholic community, have been able to provide emergency assistance to over 100,000 Ukrainian refugees.

From day one of the conflict, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) Europe with the support of Jesuit Mission Australia and the Xavier Network, immediately provided emergency support, shelter and opportunity to refugees fleeing the conflict.

As the crisis extends and the needs of the refugees who have endured two years of conflict evolve, the Jesuits have committed to long-term holistic accompaniment, including, psychological support, education and integration services to empower vulnerable individuals and families in the years ahead.

"Our shared commitment to alleviating suffering and fostering resilience is a beacon of hope for those who have fled the conflict," said Helen Forde, CEO of Jesuit Mission Australia.

"I am deeply grateful to our Jesuit partners and our supporters for their role in this humanitarian effort, your generosity has been a lifeline for those suffering and in their greatest time of need."

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More than 6 million people have been displaced across Europe, with neighbouring countries such as Poland, Romania, Hungary, Moldova, and Slovakia bearing the brunt of this crisis.

Frequent missile launches and air raids, which sometimes last up to 3.5 hours, continue to shatter lives, destroy infrastructure and have led to a vastly fatigued and traumatised Ukrainian society.

Despite the dangers, the Jesuits continue to provide steadfast support, welcoming refugees and empowering them to get back on their feet and to flourish.

"It is a privilege to be able to count on the continued solidarity of so many generous people, foundations and other organisations who trust in the work of the Society of Jesus. On behalf of our teams and the people we serve. Thank You," said Fr Alberto Ares SJ, Director of JRS Europe.

A Ukrainian family arrive at the border of Poland.
Photographer: Sergi Cámara

*A class for Ukrainian refugees in Romania.*

Jesuit Mission Australia stands in solidarity with the devastated families in and outside of Ukraine. A donation to Jesuit Mission Australia’s Emergency Action Fund will support refugees surviving the Ukraine crisis and other crises around the world.

Please click here to donate or call 02 8918 4109.

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First Spiritual Exercises – Restoring Joy

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I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. Lord my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, Lord, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:“What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.” You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

Psalm 30.

We pray for our sisters and brothers in Syria, who have endured years of conflict, fear and the recent earthquakes. We pray that with the support of our Jesuit partners they can rebuild their homes, their lives and build a bright future.

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1. Healing...

Living Spirit, heal me.

I touch my forehead.

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2. Living...

Restore my life from the pit.

I touch my navel.

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3. Dancing...

Turn my mourning into dancing.

I touch my left shoulder.

4. Praising...

Move me from silence to praise.

I touch my right shoulder.

5. Joyful...

Fill me with Your Joy.

Hand on heart, I take three breaths:

The first to breathe in the Spirit of Joy.

The second to feel restoring Joy fill me.

The third to breathe my gift of Joy out into my life, especially when I feel numb.

PRAYER TIME: 10 minutes.

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Click here to download the prayer of Restoring Joy.

A gift that lasts

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"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.

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"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.

*Debbie and another Jesuit Mission supporter Jo volunteering at the Maytime Fair.*

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.