Last Sunday night, despite it being one of the coldest nights this winter, more than 60 people turned out to discover more about Marist Volunteers Australia (MVA), the work of Marist Solidarity’s development projects, and volunteering in Asia and the Pacific.
The event, which was held at the Marist Centre in Brunswick, provided attendees the opportunity to hear from three Marist volunteers that have worked on projects in Timor-Leste, Cambodia and Fiji.
Crime novelist Angela Savage (author of Behind the Night Bazaar, The Half-Child, and The Dying Beach) interviewed the three returnees. Angela also has a background in development work in Asia and the Pacific.
Last year, former Marist College Canberra student, Liam Highmore, spent two months during his gap year in Cambodia. Liam, now aged 20, spoke about his experiences working at the La Valla School, which caters for students with physical disabilities.
Retired teacher and education consultant, Kath Richter spoke about her two years working as a volunteer at the Marists teacher training college in Baucau in Timor-Leste.
Former Marist College Ashgrove student and coordinator of MVA, Ashley Bulgarelli, was also interviewed about his two years establishing a local NGO in Ghana, and being involved in the Marists Champagnat Institute project in Fiji.
Executive Director of Marist Solidarity, Br Allen Sherry provided a warm welcome to guests, who included loyal donors, and at least 25 young people aged in their 20s and connected to Marist Youth Ministry in Melbourne.
Attendees warmed up with generous servings of homemade soups, and vino rosso, which was kindly donated by the Cremasco Winery of Mt Towrong.
So far this year, MVA is missioning 25 volunteers overseas to Marist projects, and this is expected to rise as the year progresses.
MVA is an initiative of the Province of Australia’s first Provincial, Br Jeffrey Crowe.
Visit www.maristvolunteersaustralia.com.au to find out more.