Refugee Week Charity Drive

As we have done in past years, we are reaching out to the SCEGGS community to support Refugee Week during Week 9. The theme this year is that of freedom. The Refugee Council of Australia describes freedom as: 

To live without the fear of war, to have your basic human rights upheld, to live in equality and without the fear of persecution are just some of the examples of what freedom can entail. Every day millions of people across the world embark on dangerous journeys for the sole purpose of finding safety and freedom. From Australia to nations across the globe, settling into a new environment after experiencing the perils of a refugee’s journey can also provide the opportunity to live, to love and to dream.

Click here for more information about their work.

Our Christian tradition through the example of Jesus teaches us that we are all born with inherent dignity and it is through this that we come to understand that we have a responsibility to care for another through compassion and love, welcoming those who we may call strangers and showing hospitality as we do. A very practical way in which we can show this generosity of love is through the donation of pantry items to help newly arrived migrants and refugees begin their lives and experience freedom here in our local community of Sydney.

We are asking that students bring in the following items for our annual collection of goods that will go to the House of Welcome at Granville, which “exists to welcome, shelter and empower people seeking asylum and refugees regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, nationality or religion.” Click here for more information.

Secondary students please take the items to the basket outside Chapel during Week 9 and primary students, please take these to your classroom teacher. I have visited the House Of Welcome a number of times and each time I have gone, the volunteers express such deep and heartfelt thanks to SCEGGS for their kind donations. The food and items donated are very much needed and appreciated.

Please note: We pay particular heed to the wishes, habits and palates of those receiving our donated goods and respectfully request that you do not supply soup, baked beans or tinned spaghetti.

Thank you for your generous and kind support of Refugee Week and the House of Welcome goods drive. Year 9 student Zara Perkins shares her reflection on Refugee Week here.

Dynielle Whitney
Head of Religious Education
Social Justice Co-Ordinator