As we approached the celebration of Christmas once again, we wish to thank all those who continue to be a part of The Shared Table. Firstly those who consistently give on a yearly basis their $1.00 a week to feed the children of our Kitchens, of which there are now seven. This is the support upon which The Shared Table is based. We especially acknowledge the work of our contact people who not only collect money, but keep our participants informed.
We also thank those whose contributions outside of this have enabled us to set up the infrastructure necessary for The Shared Table to function. You cannot feed children without plates, spoons, cups, tables and chairs.
Through this blogspot we would especially like to acknowledge the recent contributions of the BALLARAT DIOCESE, the SOCIETY OF ST. COLUMBAN and PFD FOOD SERVICES PTY LTD AUSTRALIA, whose contributions have enabled us to complete the first and second stages of the Community Outreach Centre at Motupe. Out of this Centre, one of our bigger Kitchens operates.
And beyond the shores of Australia, we acknowledge the ongoing support of the children of the Parish Primary School of Hollywood, Co Wicklow, Ireland.
The children who benefit from The Shared Table wish all our friends a very happy and holy Christmas.
Around The Kitchens
SAN ANTONIOSan Antonio, founded by Señora Martha Vargas and a group of mothers, is a kitchen that has been in operation for a number of years. The children who benefit from this Kitchen come from particularly poor families living in harsh conditions. Martha has been involved with the Parish for many years as a catechist, and for all of these reasons The Shared Table Project made the decision to subsidise the cost of the children´s meals.
MOTUPEThanks to the Society of St. Columban, we have a well set up kitchen next to the main chapel of the Parish at Motupe. This Children´s Kitchen also operates in conjunction with the local Health Clinic, providing for children suffering malnutrition. This facility serves our Children´s Kitchen as well as other Parish groups and events.
A Bit Of Serious Fun
On Saturday 13th of October a Volleyball Competition between the mothers of our Children´s Kitchens was organised by Lucy, the Parish Social Worker. A chance to get together and share some fun with the children. The Parish Priest was part of the judging panel to ensure fair play of course!
Nuevo Amanecer
We have recently committed ourselves to assisting the Children´s Kitchen of Nuevo Amanecer, a community that exists on the high hills that surround Motupe and Montenegro. These hills are home to our poorest families. Recently, with the help of THE DIOCESE OF BALLARAT, we were also able to assist with a water project, a project that has had a huge impact upon this struggling community. The following photos show a Sunday morning working bee. Everyone - men, women and children are involved in these community activities.
Work on the site of the second tank at Nuevo Amanacer. Water will be pumped up to here, and from this tank will then be piped down to the simple households below, including the Children´s Kitchen. This will save women descending and ascending a difficult path each day to get water in plastic containers from down below for household needs.
Community Outreach Centre
Work underway on the second stage of our recently completed Parish Community Outreach Centre at Motupe. Stage one was the completion of the Kitchen for children suffering malnutrition which was financed last year through the MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF ST. COLUMBAN. The Kitchen is run through the contributions of our friends of The Shared Table. The second stage will offer the services of our Parish Social Worker, Lucia Cuentas, plus Health Orientation, a Psychologist, and free Legal Advise. This construction has been completed with the assistance of the CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF BALLARAT, Australia, and a contribution made through PFD FOOD SERVICES PTY LTD, Australia. The third and final stage will be the second story, consisting of a series of multi purpose rooms offering workshops and programs for women, unemployed youth and single and adolescent mothers.
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