Servite College students unite to support Kora

27 Jan 2016

By The Record

Servite College Year 9 students Sienna D’Orazio (left) and Bree Colotti (right) assist children at a day care run by Kora, a charitable organisation of the Servite Sisters, Photo: Supplied

The year 2015 saw Servite College, with generosity and support from its community, proudly donate $10,000 to Kora – a 35-year-old charitable organisation run by the Servite Sisters.

Over the years, Kora has been providing services for the community by running adult education programs, homework classes for primary school children, holiday programs, youth programs and Work for the Dole programs.

Kora now mainly runs a childcare service for disadvantaged families who cannot afford to send their children to mainstream childcare centres.

“We continue to struggle financially to meet the running costs such as rental of premises and payment of amenities. However, through the providence of God and through the generosity of some helpers, we carry on, knowing that our service is truly needed by the community,” said Servite Sister Justin Chitra, reflecting on the importance of donations for the running of Kora.

“The target for 2016 is to raise $40,000 to cover the shortfall in operating income compared to expenses,” Sr Chitra added.

Throughout 2015, the Servite College community committed to provide ongoing support to Kora and the fantastic work it does to support the community.

As part of their Christian Service Learning projects, the Year 9 Servite College students dedicated their efforts to support the Sisters in their work, a gesture which has been praised by Servite College Christian Service Learning Coordinator, Robert Thomas.

“Our Year 9 students have been participating in weekly immersions at Kora, working hand in hand with the young children as well as providing support to the centre and the people who work there,” Mr Thomas said.

Students and staff members also organised Christmas gifts and stockings for the young children who go to Kora so that they may have a small present for Christmas.

Throughout Term Three of 2015, the college rallied its support for Kora, hosting various stalls and activities as part of its annual Feast Day celebrations for St Philip Benizi, the college patron saint.

Kora provides services to marginalised families in the Perth community, including refugee families and children from the Women’s Refuges in Woorimaya, Maylands and Orana House.

As a charitable organisation, the Servite Sisters and Kora rely on the support of the community to continue their valuable services.