The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, held annually on 17 October, is a global day that raises awareness about the causes and effects of poverty, and how we can – as individuals and communities – take steps towards its eradication.

According to the World Bank, more than 700 million people – which is nearly 1 in 11 people globally – live on less than $2.15 a day. Poverty, in all its forms, strips individuals of their dignity, limiting their access to essential resources such as food, clean water, healthcare, education, and housing. It is more likely to affect people who live in remote areas – those who are marginalised, displaced and often overlooked.

One of the core principles of Mary MacKillop Today is ‘Reaching the Margins’. Just like Saint Mary MacKillop, we go where the need is greatest. We seek to address poverty by working closely with our partners to deliver access to education and the teaching of life skills, in Australia and overseas. Our programs focus on changing the lives of marginalised communities, so they can break the cycle of poverty and realise their potential.

One such project is our women’s livelihoods project, the Cooperative BEHAFU, which we run in rural communities across Timor-Leste. This project provides women with access to workshops, mentoring and financial resources so they can earn money through businesses they run themselves. It is giving women the power of financial independence.

Olandina, who lives in the district of Ermera with her husband and seven children, is a member of the BEHAFU Cooperative. She grew up in poverty and due to a lack of education, struggled to find work and earn a sufficient income. Olandina worried that her children would experience the same poverty she had growing up.

“The biggest challenge for the family was if an emergency expense came along. I would be forced to borrow money from lenders, and the interest rate was overwhelming,” Olandina said.

Help arrived in the form of the BEHAFU Cooperative. Olandina received training on establishing her own business and managing her own money.

“One of the great things about being a member of the Cooperative is that I can save and borrow money for my business. I have borrowed money to buy flour to make bread and cakes to sell at the market. I just couldn’t do this if I wasn’t able to borrow money. I feel so happy because I can support my family to survive and pay my children’s school fees.

“Life used to be difficult, but it has become a little lighter now,” said Olandina.

The generosity and compassion of our supporters enables us to help people like Olandina and her family get their lives back on track and thrive.

By donating today, you will help continue Saint Mary MacKillop’s legacy of walking alongside people in need just as Mary and the Sisters of Saint Joseph did when they travelled across rural and remote communities living on the margins over 150 years ago.

Thank you for any support you can give: www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/donate

Siobhan Reynolds
Director of Marketing and Communications, Mary MacKillop Today