St Paul's
Beaconsfield

Anglican Church near Fremantle, Western Australia

Just Manna: supporting refugees and all the needy

Our parish is a community that seeks God and the fullness of creation by finding ourselves in relation to others. Our giving to the common, to the other, our sharing of ourselves is our commitment to this endeavour.

Just Manna Update: Rejoice, a lost one has been found – Abraham one of the young men currently receiving support from Just Manna is very happy because he has just discovered that his elder brother who was missing for 10 years is alive and well in the Sudan! In Jan 2009 Abraham and Mayom need to find new accommodation. Both have been studying and working to help support their family members who remain in Africa in refugee camps. Abraham is currently looking for work. If you think you may be able to help with work or accommodation please contact either Mayom direct on 0413629883 or Just Manna rep Michael on 9384 6218.    

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Sharing our Gifts
These extracts from a recent “Just Manna” email exchange illustrate the often unseen giving that is the blessing of this community…….

• I just want you all [Just Manna] to know I think you are wonderful and do an amazing job!!
• I have also had wonderful help and support by many beautiful St Paul’s people
  
• On behalf of our congregation of St. Paul community church, I also say thank you. There are no words to express my gratitude for all you've done. You've restored my faith, our faith and we'll be forever thankful.
  
• I still feel very much a part of the St Paul’s community! What you do for others is what I believe Church should be all about
• People like you brighten the world for the rest of us. My " thank you" seems so small compared to all you've done, but it comes from my heart. I'm overwhelmed by your generosity.

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St Paul’s refugee experience began with the arrival of a young woman, Rose, in the middle of winter 2003. She was very tall and impressive with a beautiful, shy smile. She sat in a back pew surrounded by her young nephews and nieces. Although there was little English, we learned that she and her extended family were newly-arrived refugees from Ethiopia -- and she came to St Paul’s because, in her home country, she was a Christian and worshipping Anglican.

Within a year of this encounter, there were twelve parishioners trained as volunteer community support workers assigned to give friendship, guidance and practical advice and help the refugees when they first arrive and as they settle into their first year. At present St Paul’s is working with nine families. They come from all corners of Africa: Somalia, the Sedan, Sierra Leone and the Congo, as well as a family from Iran who were originally refugees from Afghansitan.

Among the many gifts the refugee families give us is a cheerfulness of spirit and sense of hope, in spite of the traumas of their lives. In our mutual sharing, we help each other to find a “sense of place”.

The Refugees Support Program: The Continuing Story

JUST MANNA was by the St Paul’s Anglican Church Community at the church hall on Wednesday 17 June at 5pm. Just Manna had just been awarded charitable status to help the needy and in particular refugees settling in the area.

Just Manna (justice/food) was officially launched at St Paul’s Anglican Church Hall on Wednesday 27 June from 5pm to celebrate being granted official charitable status.
St Paul’s community has been actively supporting refugees for several years, working directly with families to continue practical and financial assistance.
Families have received furniture, clothing, bedding, English lessons, support at University and practical financial education.
Some have even learnt to drive.
Mothers and young children are helped to socialise with introductions to community groups and resources and help with school placements.
Visits to the ocean and the odd community soccer game are also very popular.
Just Manna is currently negotiating with officials to help Mayom (see story below) reunite with his two sisters who he recently discovered were living in a refugee camp. The parish has lodged an application with the government to help assist the sisters’ safe passage to WA to join Mayom.
Just Manna will help raise funds for airfares and has offered to help with their accommodation on arrival in WA.
Another objective of the Just Manna group is to offer direct support of the needy in general.
Spokesperson for the group Joan Jessop said the local community could offer assistance financially or practically.
People interested in helping should contact Joan on 0411 695 430.

Dr Carmen Lawrence attended the function.

Helping Mayom:

WHEN Mayom Mading Agau (37) fled his home in the Sudan he left behind more than memories.
He left behind family, friends and a war-torn village which was once his home.
Mayom first fled the Sudan in 1989 to find refuge in Ethiopia.
In 1991 another political crisis forced him out of Ethiopia and back to Sudan from where he fought his way to safety in neighbouring Kenya in 1992.
Mayom and his family have lived in refugee camps for several years before being granted Humanitarian Refugee vizas and flown to their new home in WA in March last year.
Mayom now lives with his nephew Abraham (18) in Hamilton Hill.
Both men have a strong Christian faith and found themselves a part of the St Paul’s Anglican Church community in Beaconsfield.
Since arriving one Sunday, St Paul’s has supported the men and other local refugee families in several ways.
Recently Mayom discovered that he had two teenage sisters who were alive in a Ugandan refugee camp and he is now actively trying to help them receive similar viza status here in WA supported by the St Paul’s community.
Mayom and Abraham are both studying English at Canning College and both work to support themselves financially.
“To begin a new life in a new country, is like creating a history .. you pass through many difficulties before settling into a new environment,” Mayom said.
“Thank you to all .. who welcomed us with open arms .. had it not been for them, everything would have turned out differently.”

Abraham and Mayom at St Paul’s

Just Manna Media Launch

Just Manna Launch photos

Refugee fights for two sisters pdf

The Refugees Support Program: The Continuing Story

Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Australia links for further information