You can change the lives of women around the world

Rosalie, Democratic Republic of the Congo

At the age of 15, Rosalie was forced to join the army. In recent decades, the DRC has experienced ongoing conflict, and the recruitment of child soldiers is all too common.

When Rosalie finally left the army after six years, she was eager to start a new life free from violence. But like many ex-combatants, Rosalie found adjusting to civilian life overwhelming. With her childhood cut short by the war, she missed out on developing skills that would help her to find secure employment.

Rosalie was able to participate in business and social skills training, supported by Caritas Australia’s partners, Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) and Caritas Bukavu. She also joined a saving and lending group, providing her with a loan to start her own small business.

Rosalie is now a business owner, a community leader and a role model for other ex-combatants seeking to readjust to civilian life. She is inspiring women to overcome the violence of the past and work towards a more peaceful world for future generations.

Along with your generous support, this program is also supported by the Australian Government, through Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).

Shaniella, Solomon Islands 

Shaniella grew up in a remote village in the Solomon Islands in a province with limited educational and job opportunities – and one of the country’s highest poverty rates. 

After leaving school, she moved closer to the capital city, Honiara, to study hospitality and tourism. However, her vocational training school was hit by a rapid landslide and cyclone. The landslide destroyed the school’s primary source of water, damaged school buildings and devastated the garden, which the school relies on for food. 

With your kind support, Caritas Australia Solomon Islands (CASI) helped the school install eight water tanks, provided planting materials, hosted agricultural skills training and ran Disaster Risk Reduction training workshops.

Shaniella can now complete her job skills training and the school has enough food and water for its students. She is also better prepared when disaster strikes and can share her knowledge with her community back home.

Along with your generous support, this program is supported by the Australian Government, through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP). 

Jamila, Bangladesh

Jamila, is a single mother living in the world’s largest refugee camp in Bangladesh. A Rohingya woman, she fled the armed conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State to save herself, her elderly mother and her eight-month-old baby daughter. Having been abandoned by her husband, she faced life in the camp alone.

Thanks to the generosity of Caritas Australia’s supporters and through our partnership with Caritas Bangladesh and the CAN DO network, Jamila had access to emergency food and shelter. Then, as her stay in the camp stretched, Jamila joined the Women Friendly Spaces project, where she received counselling and emotional support. She learnt about health and hygiene, participated in a parenting program and learned sewing skills to help her to earn an income.

Jamila now has a sense of community around her, feeling less alone and more supported by the people around her. 

Along with your generous support, this program is supported by the Australian Government, through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership (AHP). 

Janice, Australia

A Wagilak woman, Janice is a traditional dancer who tells stories through movements handed down over generations.

Janice lives on Jawoyn country in Arnhem Land. Like many remote communities in the Northern Territory, Janice’s faces a range of challenges – low employment and education, financial hardship, poorer health and lower life expectancy.

Caritas Australia supports Djilpin Arts Aboriginal Corporation, which operates a centre for traditional and contemporary Aboriginal arts and culture, providing employment and generating income for local communities.

Elders like Janice run workshops and share their knowledge with the younger generation and visitors. Local guides run bush cultural tours, and architect-designed tourist accommodation is available for visitors.

Janice inspires a new generation of women to embrace their traditional and contemporary Aboriginal culture, keeping it alive for generations to come.