Generosity extends to Timor
- Peter Hardwick
- 30th July 2008
Father Manuel Ximenes at Sacred Heart Parish.
WHEN Father Manuel Ximenes surveys the vegetable crops and chook pens of his parish in Fuiloro, East Timor, he can't help but think of Toowoomba.
Many of the vegetables, grain and chickens on his parish land come from the generosity of people in Toowoomba engaged in the Seed For Food Program.
Fr Manuel is visiting the parishioners and students of the Sacred Heart Parish and school which are heavily involved in the program.
“I came to visit the benefactors in Melbourne (Salesian Missions) and here in Toowoomba,” he said.
“I also got to attend World Youth Day while I was here.”
The civil unrest of 1999 and 2000 in East Timor left crops and seed virtually destroyed and hunger quickly set in, bringing progress to a halt.
Initiatives such as the Seed for Food Program help to alleviate those problems.
Toowoomba man Barry Walsh is heavily involved with the program and visited East Timor to see the results.
“Progress was good, but still more needs to be done for food supplies for all communities,” he said.
Donors from the Darling Downs include individuals like Mr Walsh plus the efforts of Sacred Heart Parish and school which, through the collection of aluminium cans and other projects, provided $2000 to the cause this year.
For those looking to become involved, Fr Manuel will hold a special information session tonight from 7pm in Sacred Heart's All Seasons Function Centre at the corner of Tor and North streets.
The presentation will include a screening of images from East Timor showing the results of the program.
Admission is free.
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