Welcoming Our New Team Member
Neighbours Aid is thrilled to welcome new members to the family this month.
With the opening of our new store in Pialba later this month, we welcome Gabrielle Kidd as manager. Gabrielle is looking for volunteers and good quality donations to assist her. Please spread the word to your contacts in beautiful Hervey Bay.
The Head Office Team is also excited to welcome Lauren Straw as our new Admin Assistant. Lauren will be assisting Suzie and Gus keeping our ever-expanding organisation running smoothly.
News from our African Partners
The COVID pandemic continues to spread death, sickness and poverty in our Malawi and Kenya communities. Our partners are on the ground offering support as many folk experience unemployment and inability to provide for their family’s basic needs. Despite the challenges, our schools and children’s residences continue to offer education, healthcare and nutritious meals every day. Here is a story from one of the children:
“I am 13 years old and in standard 5. I was brought to Kitale Family House of Hope by the children’s department. I was defiled by my stepfather. Before he did that he was very abusive and would call me bad names and make me work a lot after school. You see my mother works as a housemaid and she would leave very early in the morning. Then my stepfather would come where we slept with my brother in the sitting room. He would defile me and leave me crying. I did not tell my mother as she was very harsh. I was very tired of this and told my teacher. She took me to the hospital then to the police and then the children’s department brought me to Kitale Family House of Hope. My stepfather was arrested. My mother was angry with me because I reported the matter. She said I should never call her mother again. Now I eat and sleep well and am at peace. I thank everyone who has supported me to overcome this. God bless you.”
“Our poor people are great people, very loveable people. They don’t need our pity and sympathy. They need our understanding and love. They need our respect. They need us to treat them with dignity.”
– Mother Theresa