Wednesday, September 30, 2009

On Saturday 26 September, over 300 walkers braved the dust and wind and took part in the 10km Manly-Manado Walk, raising $26,000 for Compassion's Child Survival Programme in Manado, Indonesia.  This will go such a long way in making a difference to the lives of the mothers and babies from the Pengharapan Child Survival Program in Manado.

It is great to see the Manly community taking action that supports our Government's commitment to the UN Millennium Goal 4 (Improving Child Health) and Goal 5 (Improving Maternal Health).

It was a wonderful community day with young and old alike uniting to take action against poverty.  Thank you to all the local businesses and organisations who supported the event. Well done Seaforth Baptist Church for organising the event, and thank you to everyone who took part!

 

Monday, September 28, 2009

On the eve of 24 September, women from the Manly community flooded St Matts Church on the Corso to swap books and in turn help families in Manado lift themselves out of poverty. Helen Allchurch and her team did a great job coordinating the event, attracting a 130-strong crowd of book lovers. 

Award-winning author, Melina Marchetta (Saving Francesca, Looking for Alibrandi, Jellicoe Road and her newest one, Finnikin of the Rock) spoke at the event and local photographer Stu Harris spoke about his time in Manado and his Love in Action book, reminding everyone why they were gathered at the event. Everyone left the evening, tummies full, mouths sore from chatting, a new book in tow, and perhaps a little flicker of a dream inside about how they too could all be authors, just like Melina.

Well done to all involved - five families will now be given the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty and set up their own business in Manado through Manly-Manado's micro enterprise development partner, Bridge of Hope.  "Most of the loan recipients happen to be women as they are passionate about educating and feeding their children," said Helen. "That's why the book swap was (mostly) women helping women to get their families out of poverty."

 

Monday, September 21, 2009

Not many Australians have the chance to walk the Nation’s corridors of power, but Sandy Chockman, Vikki Howorth and Jim Goddard from Manly-Manado met with MPs in Parliament House Canberra last week to share their concerns about global poverty.

They were in Canberra as part of ‘Voices for Justice’, a gathering of supporters of the Micah Challenge campaign.  The event brought together hundreds of campaigners of all ages, from around Australia, who want to see the Australian Government act on issues of extreme poverty, in particular to fulfil its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The group with other member of the Warringah electorate met with Federal Member for Warringah, The Hon Tony Abbott MP, who expressed interest in the issues: "As Australians we are often thought of as the lucky country but we have also worked hard to achieve what we have.  It is important however that Australia is a good international citizen and that we do the right thing to reach out to others in need.”


It’s great that we have the opportunity to have an impact on politics.  The group got to speak out for those who never usually have their voices heard.  They also talked to Mr Abbott about Manly-Manado, the community partnership that is enabling people in his very own electorate to take action against poverty.  Tony was encouraged to hear how local schools, churches, residents and businesses in Manly have engaged with this movement which has benefited some 6,000 people in Manado.

 

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Alive at the Chapel, held on Friday 28 August at Balgowlah Uniting Church, showcased eight talented performers who sang and danced the night away, raising an amazing $2,300 for Bridge of Hope in Manado. The performers came from all areas of Sydney to unite to fight against poverty! Thanks to Rubix, Sophie and Ellie, Over Flow, Ella Freestone, Zoey Elliot, Mail Contemporary Dancers, The Joey Mawson Band and Counter Culture.

"It was such a positive and energetic night," said Karina Guerrero, event organiser.  "Over 200 people attended the event, with the majority being youth from the Manly area.  It was such a wonderful way to spent a Friday night, listening to great music and at the same time raising money to provide micro loans for families in Manado."

Big thanks to all volunteers, performers, Coles Balgowlah, Barefoot Cafe, Balgowlah Butchers, Bakers Delight, Humphreys Newsagency, Malouf Chemist, Angus and Robertson Manly, ABC Shop Brookvale and Balgowlah Uniting Church.
 
Cant wait for Alive at the Chapel 2010!!!