By Caroline Smith
Members of the children’s liturgy at Nollamara Parish recently donned a collection of brightly coloured socks to help raise money for education projects in Cambodia.
The fundraising, which took place during Mass on Sunday, 23 October, was organised as part of Catholic Mission’s Socktober campaign, which encourages church and school communities to raise money during the month of October through sock related activities and formation.
Each year, a different cause is chosen for advocacy; this year it was the need for educational facilities for disadvantaged urban migrant children in Cambodia.
On the day of the initiative, children brought a gold coin donation and later encouraged parishioners to make a contribution. A total of $400 was raised.
Nollamara Children’s Liturgy Coordinator, Cathy Blandin, said the event involved activities that were both fun and informative.
“We talked to the kids about children in Cambodia not having access to basic education,” she said.
“Our focus for the day was having love and respect for everyone.”
A similar fundraising drive was held a month earlier at Xavier Catholic Primary School in Armadale.
Students from across the school were encouraged to wear crazy socks on Wednesday, 21 September for a special Socktober assembly with the Member for Armadale, Dr Tony Buti.
Principal of Xavier Catholic Primary School, Cathie Bauer, said the event had been organised by Year 6 student leaders, who advertised the initiative and encouraged participation from the whole school.
“All students were encouraged to wear their crazy socks to school for the day and to make a gold coin donation towards the event,” she said.
“The Year 6 student leaders also combined this with a games afternoon where they organised several activities in our covered assembly area, with each year level bringing their class to play the games for 20 cents per game.”
Overall, the school raised $550 from the day’s events.
A passionate campaigner on education and poverty issues, Dr Buti wore his own vibrant socks and congratulated the school community on their efforts.
“It is wonderful to see children in the community helping those less fortunate than themselves, strengthening and affirming our own sense of community,” he said.
“Helping children with limited educational options reinforces the importance of education in our own children.”
Catholic Mission is one of the oldest international children’s charities in the world with more than 2000 overseas projects targeting the safety, care, educational, health and pastoral needs of vulnerable children.
This year’s focus is on Phnom Penh in Cambodia, with the money raised during Socktober going towards the Mobile Tuk-Tuk Education Centre, an initiative which allows teachers to bring mobile classrooms known as ‘tuk-tuks’ to some of the city’s most disadvantaged communities.
This centre was opened by Sister Eulie Desacula – a Filipino nun from the Daughters of Charity who is based in Phnom Penh.
Information on Socktober and other campaigns is available at www.catholicmission.org.au.