Hungry No More (HNM) began in February 2000 as a free, weekly community meal aimed at building Christian community among people who didn't usually attend church. We had become aware of people who were homeless, some who had just come out of prison, people who struggled with addictions - often with associated mental health problems; many of whom came from fractured family situations. We wanted to provide a place for all of them to come.
In hindsight, the seed for this ministry was sown when a member of our congregation, the late Eric Paschke started visiting Mobilong Prison on a weekly basis in his retirement. Eric was concerned that there was nowhere for these men to go when they came out of prison and that they needed support from a Christian community. Eric had enlisted the help of some from the congregation in visiting prisoners' families so relationships were already being made.
World Cup bid looks to Australia's self-serving aid program
On Friday Fairfax press broke the story that AusAID, the agency responsible for managing Australia's aid budget, had agreed to help Football Federation Australia's bid to host the World Cup by boosting spending in Africa and the Pacific.
In August the government announced that $4 million would be provided over four years for 'football-delivered' aid to the Pacific. The Football Federation of Australia is keen to trial something like that in Africa.
However the obvious sticking point is that out of all the factors that influence Australia's aid program, hosting the World Cup shouldn't figure.
Or should it? Many people tend to assume that aid is about 'helping people'. However since the 2006 White Paper on Australian Aid, the overall reference point for aid has been to 'assist developing countries to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development, in line with Australia's national interest'.
THE Uniting Church raised the plight of a Muslim minority group from Burma with Immigration Minister Chris Evans last month.
The church made the plea because of lengthy delays in processing the group's claims for asylum.
After visiting some of the Rohingyas detained at Christmas Island, the church and the Coalition for Asylum-Seekers, Refugees and Detainees discussed their concerns with Senator Evans
2010-06-02
