Earlier this year a group of Year 10 and 11 students embarked on a journey of a lifetime to Timor-Leste. While on their 12-day immersion they learned about Timor's history, culture, faith and fight for independence. They also met with our community partners; CTID in Baucau and the Venilale Orphanage in Venilale.
The Venilale Orphanage is run by the Salesian Sisters. They care for about 115 children between the ages of 5 to 16 years of age. The children are provided board, food, access to education, healthcare, love and support. Some of the children are orphans, others have families struggling to ensure financial security. Some children are from families that are facing malnutrition and the Sisters take on the children so that they will have food security. Aside from everything else that the Sisters do, they provide pastoral support to the children's families, working hard to keep families together and cared for.
During the students' visit to Venilale, they identified that the children needed educational supplies to support them in their learning. Recently, the Timor Kolega Immersion RE class ran a Kolega Coffee fundraiser for the children of Venilale to raise funds for educational supplies. Kolega is tetum for 'friend' and friendship is so important.
A special thank you to Klara Dargue from Kuna's Pure Food for the beautiful sweet treats baked especially for this event. Thank you also to the many staff that assisted in so many ways to make this fundraiser a success (we couldn't have done it without you). A big thank you to the Timor Kolega Immersion RE class that helped to make and serve the coffee cart. And, a big thank you to all those who bought a coffee, hot chocolate, sweet treat or just donated on the day.
We are excited to announce that we raised $1,500 to support our kolega in Venilale with educational resources. Thank you for supporting this initiative and giving the gift of education to some very deserving young people.
