When one thinks of World Vision it’s usually as Child Sponsorship with sponsoring a child overseas. Yet there are many different ways to help support World Vision Down Under. And there are many ways to show support to those that are closer to our own homes.
But what can we do to help? The Power of We (as in a community of like-minded people) can and do make a difference. Seen it so many times in the last year or so.
World Vision Helping Down Under
New Life on the Road (aka the Woody Family!) buys World Vision Gifts at Christmas and through out the year. And has also given to 40 hour Famine – we donated a small amount yet it helped to feed a family of five.
What about here in Australia?
Do you know there is a program that can help our Australians Down Under? Sure is….one I am only just discovering. It’s a program that helps Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in rural, remote and urban Australia. I havent found a location near Mackay to see what it’s all about. And would love to see if there is something/somewhere that we can visit to find out more on the program (super interested after reading more on it!)
I am very keen to see if there is a program that we can volunteer at?
Shopping Centre Volunteers Needed!
Did you know that you can even volunteer your time at any local shopping centre with a World Vision Cart? You know the ones they have – where they set up a display of heaps of Cards where Children are waiting for sponsors? The Cart that everyone walks by and try’s not to notice?
And if its near Christmas time then they have the “Gifts Cards” on display as well. That is actually where we first started to buy our Xmas Gifts to members of our family – we seen the display at the Sunshine Coast Plaza.
We bought a Chicken for our Boys as well as other animals for various family members. Mind you I think that I should have explained it a bit better to Kyle (who was six years old at the time). He was so excited to think that he was getting a “Chicken” and a “Goat” ~ damn funny now but at the time it was a bit hard to explain where the animals were going to 🙂
“By focusing on the care and development of young children like Leo, World Vision hopes to create a brighter future for Indigenous communities”
What Is World Vision All About?
Some people actually still have no idea what World Vision is all about~ actually with all that they are able to assist with I am not sure even we know how world-wide they can spread their assistance.
Here is a bit about the Down Under Program ::
- It started back in 1974 – World Vision first worked with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Australians and then grew from there
- They are empowering people to run the programs that they want to see
- Their work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities takes place in rural, remote and urban Australia
- And can only commence when community invites us to work with them.
- In 2012, there are 10 projects underway across Australia.
- They have 60 years of international development experience which helps to inform the work we do here in Australia.
- They deeply value their partnerships with Indigenous communities and are grateful to all those who support them
How Are They Funded?
- Through Linking Hands supporters
- community-led organisations (such as the Warlpiri Education and Training Trust)
- government departments (such as the Department of Families and Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs)
- non-government organisations and industry (such as BHP Billiton Iron Ore).
How Can You Help?
“Support Indigenous communities who are developing and strengthening children and families to grow up happy, healthy and strong. Become a Linking Hands supporter today” ~ you could even find out if there is a program in your neighbourhood that supports National Sorry Day, NAIDOC Week as well as you could Donate or pledge to Linking Hands today to support World Vision’s Australia Programs partnerships with Indigenous communities.
Who Do They Work With?
They work locally with Indigenous Australian communities, fostering community-led solutions. And we work to strengthen the people and organisations that strengthen community.
The Power of We :: It only Takes One Person
You might be thinking “But What Can I Do? I am only One Person“. Yet if one person reaches out and touches another person then we have a better world, and a better future. We have a flow on effect. That is powerful. That is a community spirit. That becomes a world where our children, and our children’s children will have a better future.
And that is what life is all about – having a better world. I could so easily keep on sharing about World Vision Australia Down Under Program great work but its time for sleep ~ tomorrow is another day of crazy renovations!
There are many other wonderful World Vision bloggers who have shared their own wondeful thoughts about “The Power of We” in response to Blog Action Day….check them out down below 🙂
What Do You Think About Helping Out Down Under?
Cheers
Lisa
New Life on the Road
Oh, this is such a perfect post for your blog Lisa! I didn’t even know this existed, and I’m so glad now I do!
Kelly recently posted..Imaginative Play Scene: Arctic Play Scene
Hi Kelly,
Yeah its so good to find out what World Vision can do down under 🙂
I never realised that there was even a program for Australia – cant wait to find out more!
Cheers
Lisa