Star NRL Coach Wants us to Dig Deep for World Water Day and Caritas Australia - Hope 103.2

Star NRL Coach Wants us to Dig Deep for World Water Day and Caritas Australia

Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire is encouraging Australians to dig deep for Caritas Australia, which changes lives in developing nations.

By Clare BruceThursday 21 Mar 2019Social JusticeReading Time: 2 minutes

Above: Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire, with Caritas ambassador Super Dube, from Zimbabwe. Maguire first met Super on a trip to Zimbabwe to see the work of Caritas first-hand.

The next time you shower, make a cuppa, or reach for your water bottle, take a moment to think of those who don’t have access to clean water. Right now, there are 600 million people in that position.

That’s the message Wests Tigers Head Coach Michael Maguire wants to spread this week as he supports both World Water Day (Friday, March 22), and Project Compassion – the annual fundraiser of the Catholic aid organisation, Caritas Australia.

Maguire saw the work of Caritas firsthand on a trip to Zimbabwe that he says changed his life. He visited villages that had no water, no food and few toilets – and witnessed the difference that simple changes can make.

“I met people who have been through so much…This will stay with me for a long time.” ~ Michael Maguire

“There are a lot of people across the world in extreme poverty who have experienced complete poverty – no water, no food,” he said. “That can be very hard to comprehend in a country as lucky as ours. To be able to witness the impact of money raised through Project Compassion on peoples’ lives through Caritas’ work and programs was incredible.

“I met people who have been through so much and saw that what they’ve achieved through their incredible strength could match any top-performing footy team. This will stay with me for a long time.”

Caritas has helped many villages to gain access to clean water, grow food, build thriving businesses, improve their childrens’ education, and flourish as a community.

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That’s why Maguire is encouraging Australians to dig deep when the Project Compassion buckets are passed around, or to head to the Caritas Donation page to make a contribution. Project Compassion takes place during the period of Lent, up until Easter

The Difference a Village Tap Can Make

Project Compassion 2019 – Thandolwayo’s Story from Caritas Australia on Vimeo.

A simple solar-powered water source funded by Caritas, has changed the life of 12-year-old Thandolwayo in Zimbabwe for the better.

She used to walk seven kilometres a day, to collect water for her family, from a dirty river where crocodiles lurked. It affected her health, her schooling and her future. Now, thanks to Caritas, she’s able to collect filtered, chlorinated, clean water from the village taps.

It has changed not only her life but her whole community. Thandalwayo is healthier, happier and doing better in school. Families in her village are now able to water their crops and explore new industries like fish-farming.

Caritas is one of the world’s largest international aid and development organisations, which last year helped more than 1.85 million people. To learn more about Caritas Australia or to make a donation head to lent.caritas.org.au.