The Chief Executive of World Vision Australia, Reverend Tim Costello, was in Port Macquarie last Thursday, spreading his words of goodwill with local church leaders, politicians and students.
World Vision is Australia’s largest charitable group which helps over 20 million people every year, providing relief in emergency situations and works on long-term community development projects.
Reverend Costello visited Port Macquarie High School, encouraging students to get involved with the upcoming 40-hour Famine.
The event was organised by teacher Jacinta Moylan who said Mr Costello was impressed with the large number of students willing to undergo some hardship to raise funds for the cause of the many people, especially children, who face the uncertainty of where their next meal will come from.
Having been CEO of World Vision for eight years, Mr Costello passed on observations from his travels to those countries where poverty is a day-to-day question of survival.
He told students that many Australians live in a bubble, taking for granted the necessities of food, water and medicine, and being unaware of the challenges faced by millions who go without every day, often dying as a result.
He also drew attention to the famine that is currently devastating Somalia in pointing out that there will always be people in need of assistance.
Ms Moylan has 72 students undertaking the 40-hour Famine challenge.
Money raised this year will go to East Timor. The school is proud of those students who have shown a deep commitment to helping communities less fortunate than themselves.
Reverend Costello’s agenda included a meeting with Independent for Lyne Rob Oakeshott to discuss issues including the 40-hour Famine, overseas aid, violence against women and girls, gambling reforms and morals in political discourse.
