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Dean of Identity | Mr Charles Brauer
Advocacy
A key tenet of an Edmund Rice education is the liberation of the heart and the minds of young people. We have seen this well and truly alive this week at Terrace. Vice Captain Tom Woodrow has humbly continued to raise awareness and funds in support of our Eddie’s Van through his now famous Friday morning barbecue breakfasts. There have been 95 Year 7 and 8 students participating in a Ration Challenge to bring awareness to the worldwide refugee crisis, and Mahoney House Captain Charbel Torby has quietly sought the support of our community to assist those in need in his family’s home village in Lebanon.
These three wonderful stories have been born out of our young men determined to make a difference in our world. These weren’t homework tasks or assessment items. There were no rewards. Just an authentic expression of advocating for another’s struggle.
Below is a message from Mahoney House Captain Charbel Torbey, whose family has committed themselves to advocate for, and support the needs of, their home village Deir el Ahmar in Lebanon.
This week I was given the opportunity to host a fundraiser for my village in Lebanon called Deir el Ahmar, a small town located three hours north of Beirut with a population from 10 000 to 20 000 people (depending on the season). My village has always been poor due to the history of the country. My family saw this issue and decided to try and help out. One day a falafel lunch was hosted in order to raise money for the people. Ten years on and we have been privileged enough to send over money and support those in need through the hosting of monthly lunches prepared by the amazing women of our community and the countless functions that have been held.
To engage our Terrace community with this story, a pizza day was hosted across the entire school. I was amazed to see so many boys get behind this cause, being “All In” with their support. For just $10 a pizza we were was able to raise $350 which will be distributed by the local priest to any sick, elderly and disabled people who are unable to work and have no family to support them. This is an extraordinary amount and I am extremely grateful to all those who bought a pizza or donated. Although our students will most likely never meet the people they helped out, or truly understand the impact of their support, I will make sure that I allow them to understand the difference they made for someone’s life.
I will be going to Lebanon in the holidays and will be able to meet the people we have helped and I can guarantee that they will give their gratitude to the boys and ask that I thank them for their support and let them know that they will have them within their prayers for the rest of their life.
Thank you to all who have contributed. I am so glad and thankful for each and every one of you.