Jesuit Mission’s year has been capped off with a tidy stocking-filler – one worth almost $250,000, which will ensure the ongoing success of its overseas projects in the New Year.

The Director of Jesuit Mission, Fr Phil Crotty SJ, received a cheque for $248,857.39 from the organisation’s Executive Committee at a function in Sydney last week. The funds were raised during the year through a range of initiatives including the Sydney Golf Day, the Card Day, the Xaverian Car Raffle and the ever-popular Indian Bazaar, which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year.

Fr Crotty thanked volunteers and supporters for the role they had played in assisting disadvantaged people, particularly in South East Asia and India. People responded generously to Jesuit Mission’s famine appeal earlier this year for people living in the Horn of Africa.

‘Half of the money has gone to famine relief, and the other half has gone to schools in a refugee camp. When the children in those schools have learnt to read and write, they will be set free’, said Fr Crotty.

Jesuit Mission has also been instrumental in the establishment of Marsi Marsal, a school for Santal children in the village of Kajarkilo. Illiteracy provides an open invitation, said Fr Crotty, for crooked merchants to cheat the poor, and to do so ruthlessly. Construction of the school was completed three years ago under the guidance of Australian Jesuit Fr Hans Hendricks.

‘Initially it was a struggle to get the village people to understand how important it is to send their children to school. As Hans said when he started the primary school, “no one really wanted to attend. The children are needed at home as cowherds”’’, said Fr Crotty.

‘But with your help, the primary school was built, and it now includes a flourishing high school filled with Santal children who couldn’t read and write. They pray every day in thanksgiving for all of you.’

The Chairman of Jesuit Mission’s executive Committee, Darcy Hall, also praised volunteers and supporters for impressive fundraising results.

‘It builds a great sense of community to get together for a common cause that’s close to all of our hearts’, he said. ‘The results from the bazaar were excellent, especially in this post-GFC and pre-next GFC climate!’