22 August 2018

This week is Catholic Migrant and Refugee Week. Students from St Mary’s School, Williamstown, visited the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre in Footscray to not only give goods, but to give hope to some of our most vulnerable people. The students reflected on their experience.
Anna: It is important to give to the ASRC because everyone is the same but not everyone is born in the same circumstances and those that are luckier than others should share their wealth and privileges.

Ruby: It’s important to donate to the ASRC because we need to help the people in this community who don’t have access to necessities like fresh food and a place to call home. To make a difference in their lives, we need to donate goods so they can have what they need to live in Australia. By doing this we are introducing hope into their lives and giving them something to smile about.

Luke: The most important thing all of us need to learn about asylum seekers is they are as important as any human, differences do not define anyone.

Mikela: The most important thing all of us need to learn about asylum seeker is that they aren’t illegal. Asylum Seekers aren’t bad people who want to cause trouble to our country. They are people who are looking for a new start, opportunities in life and most of all a safe place to live and change a house into a home for life. God teaches us to respect each other and most of all to treat others as we would like to be treated. These people have the right to start a new life in an environment where they feel safe.

Ellawen: The most important thing for people to know about asylum seekers is that they are not illegal, they are not criminals they are humans like us with needs like us and they need our generosity and support.

St Mary’s Williamstown will be hosting their Show of Hope art exhibition this Sunday, 11:00am – 4:00pm.