Catholic Mission Australia has launched its annual World Mission Month Appeal, focusing on the work of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Thailand supporting children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds through the Kindergarten Centre.
“Each year the second last Sunday of October is dedicated as World Mission Sunday and this is a formal reminder of the importance of the work of mission,” says Catholic Mission National Director Fr Brian Lucas. “We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard, and our baptism calls us to be missionary disciples. Through prayer and material support we reach out to the mission churches, those that are persecuted, fragile and lack the resources we often take for granted.”
This is why the Kindergarten Centre, run by Sr Chalaad and the Good Shepherd Sisters, is so important.
Opened to provide care for the children of women working at the Good Shepherd Sisters Fatima Training Centre – a skills training workshop for women from disadvantaged backgrounds – the Kindergarten has expanded to take in local children who would otherwise miss out on crucial early childhood education.
“We find that it’s helpful for the family, especially those who live close by to us. Most of the children in the centre come from poor families nearby,” says Sr Chalaad.
At the Kindergarten, each child is provided with a safe space to access education, health care and nutritional meals. It also provides a foundation for children to develop positive self-worth in an environment where they can learn and grow safely. The Kindergarten can take care of over one hundred children.
“We can see that education is important. If the children have a chance to study or prepare well to go to school, it will be a very good chance for them,” says Sr Chalaad.
The main objectives of the Kindergarten are to help children in difficult situations to receive age-appropriate educational assistance, a safe space to learn and grow, and create a collaborative relationship with families for better childcare.
“In the way that I work with the children, I can see that how children can be good people in the future,” says Sr Chalaad.
Please support Sister Chalaad and the Good Shepherd Sisters to ensure they are able to continue providing this vital service, supporting children from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds. Support the Good Shepherd Sisters Today
SOCTOBER
KICK GOALS FOR KIDS IN NEED THIS WORLD MISSION MONTH (OCTOBER)