Voices October 2023
It’s been a busy few months since our last edition of Voices, and we’d like to say a big thank you to every one of you. This year marks Oxfam Australia’s 70th anniversary. Over the years, your compassionate support has made it possible for us to keep working towards an equal world without poverty, and we simply couldn’t do it without you.
DOWNLOAD THE ISSUEIn this edition of Voices
In this edition, you’ll meet Ana in Timor-Leste, whose participation in a savings group has helped her plan for the future.
You’ll hear about Kayeleen, a Straight Talk alum who spoke to NSW parliamentary inquiry about the importance of cultural fishing. And we also celebrate the success of climate activists in the Pacific who took their battle for climate action to the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.
Earlier this year, we were saddened to hear that one of our most dedicated and hardworking supporters, Brian Moran, had passed away. Brian worked tirelessly over many years to leave the world a better place, and we are grateful to have known him.
NSW Recognises Fishing Rights
When the Parliament of New South Wales held an inquiry in July 2022 into the failure of successive governments to support Aboriginal cultural fishing, one of the clearest and strongest calls for change came from Kayeleen Brown, the head of the Katungul Aboriginal Corporation Regional Health and Community Services.
Big win for climate activists
Thanks to your generous support, Oxfam Australia’s Pacific Climate Change Collaboration Influencing and Learning Project (PACCCIL), was able to work with the group of young activists as they pursued climate justice on the world stage. As a result of their advocacy, the United Nations General Assembly moved to support a resolution calling for the International Court of Justice to issue an advisory opinion on climate change.
Shabana’s new life
Like so many countries, Bangladesh is feeling the impacts of climate change, including severe storms and rising sea levels. Thanks to supporters like you, for the past decade, Oxfam has been working with national and local organisations in Bangladesh to build community resilience to climate change and help people, like Shabana, to earn a reliable income and gain leadership skills.
Oldest Trailwalker ready to give it another go
In March, at age 82, Brian took on Oxfam Trailwalker for the seventh time, finishing the 100km course in 34 hours. Brian is a Trailwalker Legend (someone who’s completed the walk more than five times), and his legendary status was cemented when he took home the People’s Choice Award at the post-event Celebration Night.
Saving for a bright future
Opportunities for women to earn an income can be limited in remote Timor-Leste, and it’s even harder for women like Ana, who is living with a disability. But thanks to supporters like you, Ana was able to join a savings group and achieve her dream of saving enough money to open a business.
Creating opportunities in Mymensingh
For the 65,000 people who live in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, a faecal sludge treatment plant is improving health outcomes – at the same time as offering young people employment opportunities.
Your compassion at work in East Africa
Right now, more than 31 million people in East Africa are facing acute hunger. Your generous donations have helped us work with local partners to reach 1,232,729 people with lifesaving water, food, sanitation, health support and protection. People like Sankuus.
Vale, Brian Moran
As one of Oxfam’s longest serving and most dedicated volunteers, Brian contributed greatly to the fight against poverty and injustice, and he changed countless lives in the process. Sadly, Brian passed away this year after a five-year battle with bowel cancer.
David’s dedication to a world without poverty
After a 42-year career with an international insurance company, David Clark was never going to take retirement lying down. Within months of calling time on his project management career, David was on the lookout for meaningful ways to spend his time.
Your donations in action
Ethiopia
Oxfam installed a solar-powered pump on a well just outside the town of Gol’Anod, home to about 350 households. The well was originally powered by a diesel pump, but in late 2022, Oxfam installed 56 solar panels to power the water pump, and pipes to bring the water two kilometers into the town. This has reduced the amount of time women need to walk back and forth to a water source.
Kenya
Oxfam and local partners are working in Kenya to ensure families have enough money to put food on the table. In recent months we reached 755 households with multi-purpose cash transfers. We also delivered dignity kits to 500 women and girls and cash payments to 1,200 women and school-aged girls so they could buy menstrual hygiene products.
Somalia
In Somalia, Oxfam and local organisations have built 10 latrines, reached 4,020 people with hygiene information, visited 1,560 people through protection committees to spread the word on staying safe, and assisted 49 survivors of gender-based violence with specialised psychosocial support, clinical support and legal services. In Burtinle, 15,000 people now have access to water after a borehole was rejuvenated.
