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St Paul's
Beaconsfield
Anglican Church near Fremantle, Western Australia
Just Manna: supporting refugees and 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. |
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June 18 2007
JUST MANNA will be launched by the St Paul’s Anglican Church Community at the church hall on Wednesday 17 June at 5pm. Just Manna has just been awarded charitable status to help the needy and in particular refugees settling in the area.
Just Manna (justice/food) will be 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 will attend 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.”
MEDIA CONTACT: Ali Biddiscombe. 040 108 5374.
Just Manna Launch photos
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