Dear Friends
In lieu of gifts, please donate $50 or whatever amount you prefer to my chosen 80th Birthday Charity - Railaco Jesuit Mission in East Timor.
The Railaco Jesuit Mission provides medical and nutritional care to impoverished families in remote mountainous areas of East Timor, who could otherwise not access government services. We also educate 400 students in a Jesuit secondary school.
I can assure you that after experiencing life up there first-hand, we need to be very big on imaginations. My involvement keeps me aware; it reminds me of my privilege; and I gain in a spiritual way.
Scroll down and read the Updates, even if only the headings. Some will surely resonate.
All our lives are enriched by the work that is done in Railaco. Any amount you donate can make a real, tangible difference.
Thank you!
My Updates
Who is behind all this?
Sunday 12th Jun
At the heart of all this is the Jesuit Mission in Railaco. The ‘men and women of the Mission’ live the ideal that we hear of ever more frequently these days. The photo shows Fr Martin Bong SJ, a Filipino medical doctor and Jesuit priest, who has been in Railaco for 20 years.
The Rev. Rowan Williams, when he was the Archbishop of Canterbury, provided a good summary of walking with the poor:
The poorest deserve the best […] They do not deserve what is left over when the more prosperous have had their fill, or what can be patched together on a minimal budget as some sort of damage limitation […] They deserve it simply because their need is what it is and because where human dignity is least obvious, it's most important to make a fuss about it.
Daily, unselfishly, they carry out community development works and educate young men and women, caring for the poorest of the poor, on our behalf.
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Breaking the Cycle of Poverty through Education
Sunday 12th Jun
Twenty years on from East Timor’s Independence, so many of its people still live in poverty. Through frequent visits to Railaco, I realise how essential the rounded Education we provide at the Jesuit secondary school NOSSEF is for almost 400 secondary students.
Education serves to break the cycle of poverty equipping young Timorese for better chances in life. The academic achievement of the NOSSEF students talks to the sustainability of our Railaco education program. All 100 students in the graduation class in 2021 passed the National Exams. This is an amazing achievement for a rural school where the parents of most of the students didn’t attend school.
Increasing ‘Food Security’ and access to clean water in Railaco
Saturday 11th Jun
Railaco Jesuit Mission Timor-Leste is forging ahead. It is moving from ‘dependency’ to ‘empowerment’ with a mind towards future sustainability. This will naturally re-frame aspects of our relationship.
Timor-Leste remains severely affected by food insecurity, and Railaco has one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country.
School teachers and students are receiving gardening and nutrition education with encouragement to also share this knowledge with their households.
Education sessions and community consultation being facilitated by Jesuit Social Services include programs to improve 'food security' and the building new water facilities in communities of Railaco to ensure they have reliable and easier/closer access to clean water.
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My June Trip to Timor
Thursday 9th Jun
For the first time in 3 years!
I'm returning to Railaco to catch-up on what'd changed since my last visit.
A good friend with Portuguese roots, Dan Elias, is travelling with me. His background gives him a natural affinity to Timor and he's looking forward to seeing how the works of the Mission help the people.
Educating a child empowers a family to make decisions to participate in larger public life
Thursday 9th Jun
There are compelling reasons to provide opportunities for children from resource-poor areas to access schooling.
Firstly, in Timor-Leste, it is never “just” village life. Villages are the core social structures of the nation, where the lulik (traditional spirituality) is centred, and cultural decisions are made.
As the national focus for social services and community-strengthening is currently devolved to municipalities (districts), it is vital that villages are proactive in accessing services and being heard at a regional level. Having people who are educated empowers small communities to articulate local issues and advocate for their own needs.
Educating even one person provides a family and a community with resources – literacy, numeracy, reasoning, knowledge – that enriches and empowers members to make decisions and participate in the larger public life.
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Thank you to my Sponsors
$1.02k
Edmundo Perez-de Cobos
$520
June Whelan
From the Whelan Women
$520
Andrew Stuart
$500
Ray Harris
Happy Birthday Michael. Love Robyn and Ray xxx
$316.50
Pamela Turner
Happy Birthday Michael
$263.75
Daniel Elias
$263.75
Claudine Michael
$261
Khare Aoun
Dear michael happiest of birthdays 🥳 from team Aoun
$261
Patrick Toohey
$261
Shenagh Barnes
$250
Paul O’donnell
$208.80
Robert Guest
A wonderful suggestion thank you Michael
$158.25
Michael Inesta
$150
Michael And Emily Tritton
$126.60
Marc Haynes
Happy Birthday Michael.
$105.50
Joe Luff
Great work Mick
$105.50
Peter Awit
Happy birthday Michael. With love from Peter Awit.
$105.50
Anonymous
$105.50
Tony Peters
Looking forward to catching up at your 4 score party. Happy Birthday Michael.
$105.50
Paul Alexander
$105.50
Hien Duong
Happy four score birthday 🫣🥳😘🍾🎁🎉🎂 Love Hien
$105.50
Ian Rogan
Looking forward to celebrating the big OBE!!! Love Chookie Popped $100 from me, Ross doing separately
$105.50
Ross Smith
Not long now till your big day!! Exciting!! X
$105.50
David Bugg
$105.50
Daniel Alexander
$104.40
Julie Hahn
$104.40
Anonymous
$104.40
Helen Forde
Happy 80th birthday Michael. Thank you for being such a champion for the people of Railaco.
$104.40
Sarah Beecroft
Happy Birthday Michael. Looking forward to your party. Lots of love. Sarah xx
$104.40
Anne & Trevor Schramm
$100
Anonymous
Happy Birthday Michael.
$100
Catherine Tavuzzi
$100
Rosemary Von Stieglitz
$63.30
Tucker
$63.30
Pat Rayner
Congratulations on 80 years. Enjoy the celebrations
$52.75
Susan Vaz
Wishing you a wonderful birthday Michael
$52.75
Agustin Escalona
Happy birthday, Michael! I am delighted to be able to participate and also to contribute to the magnificent cause you lead at Railaco. Congratulations for setting up this awesome idea!
$52.75
Federico Escalona
$52.75
Susan Harrison
$52.75
Christine Schramm
$52.75
Mark Schramm
$52.75
John Thompson
Thanks for the invite and I'm thrilled to accept and also leave a donation for your chosen charity.
$52.75
Lampoh Yeoh
Happy 80th birthday Michael.
$52.75
Han Jun Kim
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!🎂💕
$52.75
Victor Marks
$52.75
David Casey
$52.75
Hyun Ju Cho
$52.75
Celia Paoloni
Happy birthday Michael! I've so enjoyed reading your updates. Thanks for your support of Jesuit Mission and the work in Railaco - it's truly inspirational
$52.20
Meg Morrison
Have a wonderful birthday Michael.
$52.20
Liz Kim
Happy Birthday Michael!!
$52.20
Kath Rosic
Wishing you good health and happiness as you celebrate an incredible milestone. Enjoy your special day and celebrations.
$50
Louise Gow
$21.10
Rhonda Spain
Well done Michael
$2
