ARCHDIOCESE OF MELBOURNE REPORT: Wednesday 30 November 2011
Supporting the Alma Nuns, who look after many of the disabled children in the former Portuguese colony, The Wiggles donated a huge supply of much needed shoes late last year.
This footwear is vital in the battle against tropical diseases in the area that arise due to a shortage of protective shoes in the long wet seasons.
The Wiggles gave the shoes to Paulie Stewart from Melbourne band The Dili Allstars, whose brother Tony was one of the five journalists killed at Balibo East Timor in 1975, to give to his friends the Nuns with whom he has worked for some time.
The work of the Alma Nuns whose mission has been dedicated to helping 'the lowest of the low' in the impoverished nation, has previously featured in the pages of Kairos. Readers helped purchase a much needed van to help the Sisters with their work in 2010.
With the support of Airnorth, Paulie and photographer and philanthropist Esra Ozege were able to deliver the brand new shoes to the Sisters whose home is located near the International School in Dili.
"The Wiggles have been long time supporters of East Timor and previously sponsored a project with UNICEF that supplied clean water and latrines for five schools villages up," Paulie said.
"Those boys really have big hearts and do a lot of work behind the scenes helping people.
"All power to them as they celebrate 20 years together.’’
"The Nuns are really amazing women who do great unacknowledged work helping the children with disabilities,’’ said Esra Ozege.
"It was a huge honor for me to spend time with the Sisters and Paulie as I traveled with them on their rounds in some of the poorest districts in Timor Leste.
"I will never forget the children’s faces as the Sisters handed each child a pair of shoes, a lifetime of memories in just a few short days.”
Paulie expressed his "huge gratitude’" to long time supporters of the ALMA NUNS amongst the Australia’s Catholic community.
"In the past our supporters in Australia helped us with the campaign to buy the Nuns a new van, as previously they only had one motor scooter to get around on," he said.
"The Sisters have been able to extend their work range outside of Dili and now visit many towns in the districts thanks to the new van."
The head of the ALMA NUNS in East Timor Sister Ely was grateful for the ongoing support from Australia.
"Paulie has shown us previous copies of Kairos in which have been featured which embarrass us a little," she laughed.
"Due to the involvement and support of the Australian media and the generosity of many Australians Catholics, we now offer higher quality services to a greater number of children with disabilities throughout Dili and the remote districts.’’
To support the Alma Nuns please send funds to:
Jesuit Mission,
PO Box 193
North Sydney 2059
Photos courtesy of Paulie Stewart.
http://www.cam.org.au/news/wiggles-donation-helps-alma-nuns.html
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