6-12 June 2010
What is Simply Sharing Week?
It is a special week each year
where we try to live simply
and think about how we
can share what we have
with others in need.
This year the focus is on
Refugees
Photo Credit-Janet Cousens-Act for Peace
Who is a refugee?
Refugees are people who have left their country as
they are afraid of being persecuted because of their:
-Race
-Religion
-Nationality
-Social group they belong to
Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Act-Caritas
-Political opinions
This persecution could
include discrimination,
injury, torture or death.
Fact: There are 15.2 million refugees worldwide
Bilel Camp Darfur - Credit-Edwyn Shiell-Act for Peace
Who is an asylum seeker?
Asylum seekers are those who have fled their own
country and apply to the government of another
country for protection as refugees.
Everyone has the right to seek asylum therefore it is
not possible for someone to be an illegal asylum
seeker.
Fact: As at 26 March 2010, there were 2,505
people in immigration detention in Australia
Asylum Seekers arriving in India from Sri Lanka
Photo: UnitingWorld
Who is an internally displaced person (IDP)?
Internally displaced persons (IDPs) are people
forced to flee their homes but who, unlike refugees,
remain within their country's borders.
Some reasons people become IDPs include armed
conflict, violence and natural or human-made
disasters.
Fact: There are 26 million
internally displaced persons worldwide
Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Act-Caritas
Sudan to Australia- Achok’s journey
Achok is a single mother of two from Sudan.
Sadly, when she was just a child, she witnessed
Government troops kill her father and bomb her village.
Achok and her sisters fled to Ethiopia and then to a refugee
Photo: Alison Preston/AngliCORD
camp in Kenya.
“I was excited to be offered the
opportunity to come to Australia.
I wanted a chance to study,
to work, and to have a better life.”
Achok has been in Australia for six years, but life here is also full
of challenges.
“I am in the middle of two cultures, and it can be very confusing.
I am Sudanese, but I want to be part of Australian culture.”
Achok says she is very aware of debates in the Australian media
about refugees.
“I feel bad when I hear some
news stories because many
Australians don’t know or aren’t
being told what these refugees
have gone through.”
Photo: Alison Preston/AngliCORD
Achok is currently studying English full-time and hopes to
get a better job to provide financial security for her family.
“I really want to do community health or welfare work.
Since I was young I’ve always wanted to help people with
their problems: people neglected by their families, people
who are isolated.”
Although life is difficult for
Achok, she is hopeful of a good
future for her children and
grateful to the many Australians
who have helped her.
Photo: Alison Preston/AngliCORD
What are Australian Church Agencies doing?
Australian church agencies are assisting people who have
been forced to flee their homes by providing:
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Water and Sanitation
Health and Nutrition
Psychosocial support
Peace building and Protection
Agriculture
School Support
Livelihood programs
Photo: Paul Jeffrey/Act-Caritas
A Prayer for Refugees
ALMIGHTY and merciful God,
whose Son became a refugee and had no place to
call his own;
look with mercy on those who today are fleeing
from danger, homeless and hungry.
Bless those who work to bring them relief;
inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;
and guide the nations of the world towards that day
when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and
of peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
(From The Church of England Prayers)
Simply Sharing Week is an educational activity of the
international aid and development agencies of the
Christian Churches of Australia.
For more information go to www.simplysharingweek.org.au
or email ssw@caritas.org.au