Jesuit Mission is inviting Australians to “make space” at their dining table this Christmas by donating to help farming families in Timor-Leste.
This year the charity’s Christmas appeal is dedicated to its Food Security program run by Jesuit Social Service in the country.
More than 70 per cent of the population rely on agriculture for income but most live with chronic food insecurity due to a shortage of arable land. Meanwhile, nearly half of all Timorese children under five suffer from malnutrition.
Traditional farming techniques yield inconsistent, poor-quality crops but each year the program trains more than 400 farmers and supports them to improve their harvests.
Bartolomeu, a 30-year-old husband and father of two, said his family struggled each day to put meals on the table until he was offered training in sustainable farming and farming support through the Food Security program.
Today his farm provides nutritious meals and a reliable income for his family.
“From growing vegetables to making organic fertilisers and managing irrigation, this knowledge has been a game-changer for us,” he said.
Jesuit Mission chief executive officer Helen Forde said every donation has an “enormous impact” in countries like Timor-Leste.
“A donation can help provide essential training in sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and organic farming techniques to Timorese farmers,” she said.
“Through the program we also support the development of cooperatives, enabling communities to save for the future and create lasting change.
“As Pope Francis reminds us, solidarity is not the sharing of crumbs from the table, but to make space at the table for everyone.”
To donate visit the link here or call 02 8918 4109.
