One of Australia’s oldest Catholic international development agencies is challenging Catholics to simplify their lives this September while raising funds for volunteers serving communities across the Asia-Pacific.
Palms International Volunteering has launched its inaugural Simplicity September campaign, drawing on lessons learned during the organisation’s 65 years of operation.
Executive Director Soraya Kassim said the campaign invited Catholics to examine unnecessary complexity in their lives and consider its impact on relationships with themselves, their families, communities and God.
“We are launching Simplicity September as a distillation of the wisdom of the last 65 years of our operation,” Ms Kassim said.
The campaign centres on five themes: physical and mental health; reconnecting with nature and spirit; sustainability and living within one’s means; strengthening families and communities; and rediscovering creativity.
“Each of these themes is inspired by the experience of our long-term volunteers in the field,” Ms Kassim said.
Palms sends skilled volunteers on placements of one to two years in response to requests from partner communities in the Asia-Pacific. Volunteers include teachers, health professionals, tradespeople, agricultural specialists, accountants and business advisers.
Ms Kassim said returned volunteers frequently reported learning as much from the communities they served as they had contributed themselves.
“One of the main things we hear from our Palms ‘returnees’ is that, after a period of initial adjustment, they are struck by the beauty of simple living,” she said.
Simplicity September asks participants to choose their own month-long challenge and seek sponsorship from family and friends, who can also act as accountability partners.
Suggestions range from giving up refined sugar or limiting social media use to decluttering, establishing Sunday family dinners, growing vegetables or reading a novel instead of a work report. Participants can take part individually or as families, school classes or workplace teams.
Ms Kassim said September’s Season of Creation provided a particularly appropriate opportunity to develop habits around reconnecting with nature and the spiritual life. Funds raised will support Palms in recruiting, training and supporting its international volunteers.
The organisation receives no government funding and relies on donations to continue its work.
For more information or to participate, visit simplicityseptember.org.au, email palms@palms.org.au or call 02 9560 5333.
