Operation Christmas Child

   The St. Joseph Vinnies this year have had the opportunity of supporting Operation Christmas Child run by Samaritan's Purse. Operation Christmas Child blesses children in other countries who otherwise wouldn't have the opportunity of celebrating Christmas by delivering shoeboxes filled with gifts that share God's love and hope.

   The St. Joseph Vinnies decided to make up their shoebox for a girl 5 - 9 years of age and contributed to this shoebox a hairbrush, clips, hair ties, gel pens, coloured pencils, multi-coloured pens, a construction paper pad, toothbrushes, a soft toy elephant, a personal message and a photo of their group.

 

 

For more information about Operation Christmas Child go to www.samaritanspurse.org.nz

Former St. Joseph School Pupil Heads to Cambodia as a Missionary

   On Monday 13 October, the St. Joseph Vinnies were fortunate to have Talia Merrin visit to talk to them about her upcoming missionary trip to Cambodia. If you would like to find out more or support Talia in her good work over there you can do this by clicking on the following links...

  

Talia has set up a page on Give a Little  in order to raise funds for her living costs and the project e.g. Materials for the kids, salaries for  Khmer teachers, clothing etc. Any donations would be GREATLY appreciated. Here is the link: http://www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/talia4cambodia. Every little bit counts!  

 

The link for Honour Village that Talia will be working at as a missionary is  http://www.honourvillagecambodia.org/index.php. They really do some awesome work!

 

HVC was founded by Sue Wiggans, a retired English primary school teacher who sold her house and possessions in the UK and moved to Siem Reap in Cambodia in 2010 . Her Catholic faith plays a huge part in her vision and willingness to put all her energy into this project. Her dedication is truly admirable; you couldn’t have a better person behind this organisation. To find out more about Sue check out the following link. It is an interview with her and is well worth a read. http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/03/06/this-woman-is-a-living-example-of-being-the-change-you-wish-to-see-in-the-world/ 

Thanks from the Former-Refugee Community

   The Former-Refugee Community we fund-raised for last term had a wonderful time over in Picton. According to Marion Gilbertson from the Victory Refugee Homework Academy who organised the trip, "All the refugee mums who came loved it and the children had a great day."  They visited the bridge on the Kaitaki, much to the boys excitement and thanks to the fundraising that happened were able to shout the students into EcoWorld Acquarium which they said was amazing. Says Marion, "Please pass on our heartfelt thanks to your Vinnie students. We showed your fundraising banner to the Victory Staff where it got a warm round of applause."

   Below are a couple of photos of the students at Victory Refugee Homework Academy holding up the models they made of the Interisland Ferry as part of their study.

 

 

   The Victory Refugee Homework Academy students at EcoWorld in Picton

 

Taking part in a Celebration of Cultural Diversity

   After weeks of fundraising to assist the children of the Victory Homework Academy, a few of the St. Joseph Vinnies had the opportunity of meeting the former-refugee children and taking part in a celebration of Cultural Diversity run by The Safe Haven Project. The event which was run by the Whakatu Marae Waka-Ama club consisted of the students being involved in a game of Ki-O-Rahi, a Maori game that was taken overseas by the Maori battalion and has become very popular internationally. The game contains both Maori concepts and words giving the opportunity for the students to learn more as to Maori culture. The Waka-Ama club provided a hearty afternoon tea of fried bread, fruit and a drink and the St. Joseph Vinnies were able to present their coin trail banner to the Victory Homework Academy containing $107.20 to go towards their bus trip to Picton.  

Learning about Refugees

   On Monday 22 September, the St. Joseph Vinnies were fortunate to have Jettie from Nelson Refugee Services come to talk to the Vinnies about what it means to be a refugee; the countries where refugees come from; the work of Refugee Services as well as how Nelson Refugee Services assist former-refugees settle into our communitiy. This was a great opportunity to further build-on to the work we have been doing this term with assisting the children of the Victory Refugee Homework Academy as well as the mothers and preschoolers who belong to the ESOL group in going on a trip to Picton for a guided tour of the Interisland Ferry as well as viewing the Picton aquarium.