Manly Manado News Feed

International Women's Day

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:21:00 GMT

Monday 8 March 2010 is the United Nation’s International Women’s Day. ”The fight for women’s rights is central to the UN’s global mission.” said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. Click here to check out the video on the UN website.

During our visit to Manado, Indonesia we witnessed the efforts of many women as they worked long tiring days to find extra money to help support their families. They ran kiosks, cooked and sold satay in the market, chopped fruit salad to sell on the street corner and collected rubbish at the local tip. Women were often the entrepreneurs of the family, not just making ends meet, but finding ingenious ways of saving money in the event of a child requiring a visit to the doctor or some other unplanned expenditure.

For some women the story is not always as positive. There are numerous stories we’ve been told of forced labor, rape, abuse, inequality and sexual violence in war.

We stand by and support the UN in it’s efforts to insure the safety and equality of women all around the world.

The Manly Council have given us the opportunity to promote and sell Love in Action at their event to promote International Women’s Day which will be held at the Manly Library on Monday 8 March 2010. All proceeds from the sale of Love in Action will be donated to Manly-Manado. Money raised will be given to the Compassion Child Survival Program. The program assists pregnant women, at-risk babies and infants and their mothers and caregivers by providing critical interventions, such as medical assistance, pre-natal and post-natal care, and nutritious food. For further information visit the Compassion website.

2009 Christmas Lights for Manado

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:50:00 GMT

For the fourth consecutive year, Hannah Phillips (14 yrs old) and her family from Balgowlah Heights put on a wonderful display of Christmas Lights at their home. Hannah was supported by her family and talked to passersby about the community partnership between Manly and Manado. During this time, Hannah collected over $1,000 which will be used to support families through the micro loan program with Bridge of Hope.

Some people commented that they came back to see Hannah this year as they had fond memories of from last year.

A big thank you to Hannah and her family for the wonderful Christmas Lights display. We are all looking forward to the Christmas Lights in 2010!

Music of Love and Abundance Concert Reaches Out to Help the Compassion Child Survival Program!

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:50:00 GMT

Once again this year the Mosman Music Academy held their Annual Music of Love and Abundance Concert on December 12th, 2009 at The Star of the Sea Theatre in Manly. There were over 150 people in attendance and over 40 acts showcasing various talents from singing to dancing. The Compassion partner of Manly Manado was invited once again this year to speak on the Child Survival Program. Manly Manado would like to thank Susie Wang, Music Director and all the participants for their generous financial contributions.

All funds raised on the day will go directly to support the Child Survival Program.

Year 9 Commerce Class from Oxford Falls Grammar School Help Sumompo Project

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:51:00 GMT

The Year 9 commerce class (40 students) from Oxford Falls Grammar School recently held a 'stalls day' to teach them about running a business. The purpose was to gain as much profit as possible. The students raised a massive $500 and have decided to donate the money to the Bridge of Hope Sumompo Rubbish Dump Project. The overall aim of this project is to improve the standard of living for families living on Manado's Rubbish dump, many of whom, including children, earn their living by scavenging for recycable items, 8-10 hours a day, six days a week.
Well done to all the students involve who as their teachers, Emma Conroy & Zoe Pearcy, said the students truly believe in the idea of "think globally - act locally".

Café of the Gate of Salvation

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:51:00 GMT

And the psalmist said:

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands!...
come before His presence with singing”

What better way to achieve that than with the exuberant voices of Café of the Gate of Salvation raised in beautiful St. Matthews Church in the heart of multi-cultural Manly on Saturday 17 October. This award-winning, a capella gospel choir of Sydney musicians joined with Manly-Manado to support the work of Compassion and Bridge of Hope. Playing before a packed house of over 300 people, the event successfully raised awareness, funds about $5,000 and the roof!!

There were cheers, tears and goose-bumps as ‘Café’ sang and people clapped along, proving an irresistible lure to the youngest children who just wanted to get on stage and sing along.

Local singer/songwriter Ed Worland with Jake Farriss, set a perfect opening with a bracket of 3 original songs. The Rev. Graham Perry, as MC, welcomed Manly Mayor Jean Hay who spoke of the wonderful community inter-action to help those in need. In between 2 sets by Café, a hushed and attentive audience listened as Vikki Howorth spoke of Compassion’s Child Survival Program and Will Wrathall gave a moving description of the work of Bridge of Hope on the Sumompo Rubbish Dump.

With the sanctuary hung with Sandy Chockman’s ‘story-boards, the tables of hand-crafted Manadonese jewellery, Stu Harris’s exquisite photo-book ‘Love in Action’ on display and the faces of Indonesian children throughout the hall, another ripple of knowledge and awareness was added to those already spreading through our community from such events. It was a joyous and moving afternoon in Manly – a big thank you to all who worked to make this such a success. Well done!

Cinema 4 Life Oct '09

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:51:00 GMT

Something fishy was stirring in St Matts on Saturday night, 10th October. The Cinema4Life team again offered their community-building evening as a fundraiser for Manly-Manado and this time the film was truely eye-opening for all who watched!

Sharkwater is filmaker Rob Stewart's underwater adventure to explore the infamous fish - the shark. Driven by a lifelong fascination with sharks, Steward uses this film to show sharks in a light very different to the usual, negative 'man-eater' wrap they normally recieve. Filmed in stunning locations, with breathtaking cinemtography, this film proclaims a valuble lesson that applies not just to sharks, but to everything - that the first impression isnt always true.

It was great to see the Manly community come together again and share a night of choc-tops, lollies, hot chocolate, good converstion and sharks - all in all raising over $200 for Manly-Manado's development partner in Manado, Bridge of Hope!

Great effort everyone!

Sarah from Compassion office in Manado visits Manly

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:51:00 GMT

What a blessing it was to host Sarah Rahardja from the Compassion office in Manado on Sunday 11 October. It is normally Sarah who hosts and welcomes Insight Trip visitors from Manly to Manado, but this time it was our honour and privilege to host her in our home town of Manly.

Sarah spoke at two services at Seaforth Baptist Church with members from Balgowlah Uniting, St Pauls, St Matts, St Pauls and Ruach churches also attending. Sarah talked about some of the issues the families of Manado face as well as the Compassion Child Sponsorship Program in Manado (there are now 20 projects in Manado and Manly-Manado has sponsored 215 children from these projects!). Many of the people attending the services were Compassion sponsors who learnt more about the daily activities of the Compassion children at the projects. It was inspiring to hear about the transformation of the lives of children who have been sponsored, especially little Rivaldy and the hope he now provides to his family.

Sarah also provided an update on the Child Survival Program that Manly-Manado supports and how the program has impacted the lives of mothers and babies in Manado, including Revalina and baby Iwene who now receive regular health support, nutritious food and medicines and vitamins as well as spiritual growth in their lives.

Thank you Sarah for your visit - we look forward to the next time! May God continue to bless you and the Compassion team in Manado as you continue to bless the poor of Manado.

Our Manly Light and Water Photography Competition

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:52:00 GMT

In the chic and intimate surrounds of Henry Afrikas on the beachfront at Manly, on Sunday 27 September people gathered to view and bid for the top ten photos in the Our Manly Light and Water Photography competition with money raised going to Bridge Of Hope's Sumompo Rubbish Dump project in Manado. On the night people were transported into world after world. The ten finalist photographs captured the natural beauty of Manly in both a very familiar yet very different, unique way.

Local resident Will Wrathall shared his experience of working with the people of the Sumompo Rubbish Dump community in Manado. His powerful words took everyone on a journey imagining they were in Manado scooting in and out of the busy traffic on the back of a motor bike, past lush green palm trees and the huge mounds of rubbish, the dump, that is Sumompo. Local musician, Zoe Elliot, with her beautiful song 'A Life Well Spent', caused everyone to reflect on the importance of the bond being built between the people of Manly and the people of Manado and the lessons we can both learn from this partnership. Then Andrew from Cunninghams Property did a great job at auctioning all ten photographs with just over $5,500 being raised for the Sumompo Rubbish Dump Project in Manado.

Thanks to Our Manly for organising the event, to Henry Afrikas for hosting and Cunninghams Property for cracking the auctioneers whip so well! Thanks also to all the supporting businesses who helped to make the evening such a success!

Over 300 Walkers Raise $26,000 for Compassion's Child Survival Program

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:52:00 GMT

On Saturday 26 September, over 300 walkers braved the dust and wind and took part in the 10km Manly-Manado Walk, raising $26,000 for Compassion's Child Survival Programme in Manado, Indonesia. This will go such a long way in making a difference to the lives of the mothers and babies from the Pengharapan Child Survival Program in Manado.

It is great to see the Manly community taking action that supports our Government's commitment to the UN Millennium Goal 4 (Improving Child Health) and Goal 5 (Improving Maternal Health).

It was a wonderful community day with young and old alike uniting to take action against poverty. Thank you to all the local businesses and organisations who supported the event. Well done Seaforth Baptist Church for organising the event, and thank you to everyone who took part!

Book Swap Lures Top Author

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:52:00 GMT

On the eve of 24 September, women from the Manly community flooded St Matts Church on the Corso to swap books and in turn help families in Manado lift themselves out of poverty. Helen Allchurch and her team did a great job coordinating the event, attracting a 130-strong crowd of book lovers.

Award-winning author, Melina Marchetta (Saving Francesca, Looking for Alibrandi, Jellicoe Road and her newest one, Finnikin of the Rock) spoke at the event and local photographer Stu Harris spoke about his time in Manado and his Love in Action book, reminding everyone why they were gathered at the event. Everyone left the evening, tummies full, mouths sore from chatting, a new book in tow, and perhaps a little flicker of a dream inside about how they too could all be authors, just like Melina.

Well done to all involved - five families will now be given the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty and set up their own business in Manado through Manly-Manado's micro enterprise development partner, Bridge of Hope. "Most of the loan recipients happen to be women as they are passionate about educating and feeding their children," said Helen. "That's why the book swap was (mostly) women helping women to get their families out of poverty."

Local Voices for Global Justice

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:52:00 GMT

Not many Australians have the chance to walk the Nation’s corridors of power, but Sandy Chockman, Vikki Howorth and Jim Goddard from Manly-Manado met with MPs in Parliament House Canberra last week to share their concerns about global poverty.

They were in Canberra as part of ‘Voices for Justice’, a gathering of supporters of the Micah Challenge campaign. The event brought together hundreds of campaigners of all ages, from around Australia, who want to see the Australian Government act on issues of extreme poverty, in particular to fulfil its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The group with other member of the Warringah electorate met with Federal Member for Warringah, The Hon Tony Abbott MP, who expressed interest in the issues: "As Australians we are often thought of as the lucky country but we have also worked hard to achieve what we have. It is important however that Australia is a good international citizen and that we do the right thing to reach out to others in need.”

It’s great that we have the opportunity to have an impact on politics. The group got to speak out for those who never usually have their voices heard. They also talked to Mr Abbott about Manly-Manado, the community partnership that is enabling people in his very own electorate to take action against poverty. Tony was encouraged to hear how local schools, churches, residents and businesses in Manly have engaged with this movement which has benefited some 6,000 people in Manado.

What a Night!

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:52:00 GMT

Alive at the Chapel, held on Friday 28 August at Balgowlah Uniting Church, showcased eight talented performers who sang and danced the night away, raising an amazing $2,300 for Bridge of Hope in Manado. The performers came from all areas of Sydney to unite to fight against poverty! Thanks to Rubix, Sophie and Ellie, Over Flow, Ella Freestone, Zoey Elliot, Mail Contemporary Dancers, The Joey Mawson Band and Counter Culture.

"It was such a positive and energetic night," said Karina Guerrero, event organiser. "Over 200 people attended the event, with the majority being youth from the Manly area. It was such a wonderful way to spent a Friday night, listening to great music and at the same time raising money to provide micro loans for families in Manado."

Big thanks to all volunteers, performers, Coles Balgowlah, Barefoot Cafe, Balgowlah Butchers, Bakers Delight, Humphreys Newsagency, Malouf Chemist, Angus and Robertson Manly, ABC Shop Brookvale and Balgowlah Uniting Church.

Cant wait for Alive at the Chapel 2010!!!

Interview with Hope 103.2 FM Radio Station

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:52:00 GMT

On Sunday night Sheridan Voysey from Hope 103.2 FM performed a live interview with Jim Goddard, founder of the Manly-Manado movement, and Stu Harris, photographer of the recently launched Love in Action book (www.loveinaction.com.au). It was a very positive interview with Sheridan asking lots of questions about the mutual transfomation gained by both communities and encouraging others to consider establishing their own community partnership.

To find out more about what Sheridan, Jim and Stu had to say about "this insipiring community partnership" click here to listen to a podcast of the interview.

Love in Action Book Launch

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:53:00 GMT

Love in Action
Taking Action Against Poverty
A photographic documentary book by Stuart Harris and Jim Collins

Over 200 people gathered at the Novotel Manly Pacific on Friday 31 July to celebrate the launch of Love in Action. Distinguished guests included: Acting Consul General of The Republic of Indonesia – Mr Pratito Soeharyo, Manly Mayor – Jean Hay, Manly MP – Mike Baird, Ken Duncan, the Manadonese Community of Sydney KMMK and the founder of Manly-Manado – Jim Goddard. Thank you to everyone who came along to the launch and bought a copy of the book.

Love in Action tells the story of how the people of Manly decided to take action against poverty. Stu Harris, one of the authors, stated ‘We’ve written this book to tell you, you can make the world a better place. Love in Action will show you how ordinary people can take small steps to make a real difference.’

Why not consider buying a book for a family member or friend outside Manly, so they too may be inspired to take action against poverty.

Love in Action is now available for sale and can be purchased from:
   - the Manly-Manado website
   - Humphreys Newsagency in Manly (on the corso)
   - The Bible Society and the Bible Shop Online
   - Koorong Stores and Online
            (Recommended Retail price is $39.35 plus postage if required)

All profits from the photo exhibition and book sales will be donated to Manly-Manado and distributed to the development partners Bridge of Hope and Compassion.

Cinema 4 Life

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:53:00 GMT

Despite the cooler weather, 45 people braved the cold to head out to St Matts Church on the Corso for another Cimena4Life event, held on Saturday 13th June 2009. Jimmy and the team from St Matts try to use this community event to impact our way of thinking towards everyday life through great films and the recent screening of Stranger than Fiction was no exception! $460 was raised on the night – a tremendous effort by all involved and just another example of how our community can band together to take action against poverty!

Men & Meat

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:53:00 GMT

A great night was had by all at St Pauls Anglican Church in Seaforth as the men gathered to experience what happens behind the butcher’s shop counter.

Dave Head of Shiralee Meats in Seaforth brought a cow carcass to the event to showcase the various cuts of meat and demonstrate his amazing carving skills. The men left much wiser about the various meat cuts ... as well as enjoying a great feed!

The proceeds of the night went to Bridge of Hope in Manado helping to bring two families out of poverty by helping them to build a small business using a micro loan.

A big thank you to St Pauls for organising the event and to the ever-generous Seaforth butcher, Dave Head!

Advocating for Mothers

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:53:00 GMT

This Mother's Day over 500 people from local churches in Manly decided to advocate on behalf of the 500,000 mothers in the developing world that die each year from preventable disease and pregnancy problems. Each person signed a Micah Challenge Mother's Day Card to send to The Hon Stephen Smith MP, the Australian Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, asking him to allocate $1 in every five aid dollars towards improving maternal and infant health in developing nations.

This request is part of the wider advocacy agenda of continuing to hold our government to account for their signatory to the Millennium Development Goals, which aim to reduce global poverty by 50% by 2015.

Manly-Manado is a strong platform for such advocacy, being a community movement taking local action where often words only exist.

Cinema4Life Strikes Back

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:53:00 GMT

On 28th March Cinema4Life once again ran a Saturday evening 'movie at the church' at St Matthews Church in the Corso, Manly. This time the film was the NZ classic 'Whalerider'. The guys who run Cinema4Life, Jimmy Rodgers and Adam Lever, kindly offered to once again use their community building event to raise funds for Manly-Manado. The $400 raised will be sent directly to our partner Bridge of Hope to help give people in Manado the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty through receiving a micro business loan.

Good on you guys, you're an inspiration to us all.

Christmas Lights for Manado

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:53:00 GMT

For the third consecutive year, Hannah Phillips (13 yrs old) and her family from Balgowlah Heights put on a wonderful display of Christmas Lights at their home. Supported by her family, friends and neighbours, Hannah spent 18 nights outside her house talking to passers by about the community partnership between Manly and Manado and collected over $1,000 to support families through the micro loan program with Bridge of Hope.

The Phillips family enjoyed meeting new people from their community, including a neighbour who visited their house and donated money every night as part of their daily exercise routine. They also inadvertently started a new tradition of holding a lawn party for the youth from All Saints in between Christmas Eve Services.

In addition to giving passers by the opportunity to support the community partnership, Hannah's friends were inspired to donate some of their proceeds from a lemonade store held on their lawn on Boxing Day as part of the Sydney to Hobart race start.

Balgowlah North Public School Christmas Markets

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:54:00 GMT

Manly-Manado took part in the Balgowlah North Public School Christmas market to raise awareness of the Compassion Child Survival Program and to talk to the students and parents about what life is like for some children in Manado. Children at the market were taught how to make a ball from scrap materials just like the children on the Sumompo Rubbish Dump would in Manado. "It was a great way to demonstrate what life in parts of Manado is like for children," said Karen Lee, organiser of the Manly-Manado stand and parent at the school. "We were able to tell the children how some children in Manado don't have access to toys and sporting equipment and they play with whatever they can make for themselves from the materials they find around them."

Children also learned about how the children of Sumompo collect rubbish for a living and earn approximately $1 for 4kg of rubbish. "It was a real eye opener for the kids and a great opportunity to be able to talk to them about what life for some children in Manado is like. Christmas is a time to be thinking of those less fortunate than ourselves and what we can give to the poor. We were able to talk to parents and students about ways in which the Manly-Manado community partnership can help empower and assist our neighbours in Manado who are trapped in poverty."

Music of Love and Abundance

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:54:00 GMT

This year's end of year concert by the children of the Mosman Music Academy was a concert with a difference. Their teacher, Susie Wang, first heard about the work of Compassion and Manly-Manado from some of her students from Seaforth who are involved in Manly-Manado. Susie has such a heart for children and was so impressed with the work of Compassion that last year she decided to sponsor a child of her own.

And this month she decided to hold a Music of Love and Abundance Concert not only to showcase the work of her students but also to support the work of the Compassion Child Survival Program in Manado.

"We are blessed with so much," said Susie. "It breaks my heart when I read the statistic that every day 26,000 children die before the age of five from preventable causes. Christmas is a time of giving and I'm really pleased that all of the families involved in the concert were able to support the Child Survival Program."

It was a wonderful night of love and abundance - and well done to the Mosman Music Academy for raising $2,020 !!

Planting seeds in Manly's youth

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:27:00 GMT

Three high schools in the Manly area are using the Stage Four Geography Case Study from Manly-Manado’s Community Partnership as part of their Geography curriculum this term. The Case Study, which includes a series of lessons and activities, is being used by Year 8 students from St Pauls College, Mackellar Girls Campus and Northern Beaches Secondary College - Balgolwah Boys Campus.

One of the guiding beliefs of Manly-Manado is that poverty can be overcome through education, reflection and action. The call to social action extends especially to our youth – to students in our secondary school classrooms. A seed, which can bear immeasurable fruit, can be planted in a child’s mind, through a powerful connection and real example of poverty, such as Manado. This seed can grow into a lifetime of understanding and sympathy of global inequalities and the realisation that responsibility needs to be taken for our fellow citizens and neighbours.

Jane Goddard, geography teacher Mackellar Girls Campus, said “The case study helps students studying Geography explore the topic of global inequalities in a relevant and tangible way. It provides students with interactive activities, some of which are web-based, that help them engage with the global issue of poverty and gain an understanding about ways in which communities and organisations can help empower and assist other communities who are trapped in poverty.”

The case study inspired the girls at Mackellar to speak to the whole school assembly, some 1000 girls, about what they had learned. They shared how they had been touched by the story of Anneke, who lives on the rubbish tip in Manado, and how they had been inspired and motivated to take action and help people out of poverty. Later in the day the girls ran a cake stall with cakes, biscuits and crackles they had made the previous night and raised $230!

Jen Foster, Geography teacher from Balgowlah Boys Campus said: “Poverty is the most urgent social issue our world faces. By using the Manly-Manado campaign at Bally we can inspire and empower the boys to participate in and initiate community events in their local area, and to show the impact of this action on individual lives within the Manado community. It's very exciting to be a part of such a powerful social justice programme.”

Gabie Stojonovski, geography teacher from St Pauls College, said: “We’re excited about having the opportunity to apply the geography knowledge the students have been learning into a relevant current case study.”

The 29 page resource for teachers and students is designed to encourage and develop within students the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to take their place as informed and engaged global citizens. Worksheets look at issues such as: What is Poverty ? Global Inequalities; Micro Finance and Micro Enterprise Development; Millenium Development Goals as well as facts about Manado and Indonesia.

Great Run Lisa

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:54:00 GMT

On Sunday 21st September, Lisa Eustace from Manly competed in the Blackmores half marathon event held in the Sydney CBD. It was a warm day, but that did not stop Lisa from completing the course.

Before the event, Lisa raised about $600 in sponsorship and has donated these sponsorship funds to Manly-Manado’s partner Bridge of Hope in Manado , to assist in helping families out of poverty in Manado via micro loans.

Thanks Lisa and Well Run!

You Girls Rock!

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:55:00 GMT

Schoolgirls Stephanie and Carly didn't just sit around watching TV this school holiday. Instead, they were thinking of others in Manado and how they could raise money for Manly-Manado. So, on a sunny day in October they decided to cook Rocky Road and caramel treats and set off around their neighbourhood in Balgowlah to sell their goods. They had heaps of fun too as they dressed up in funny hats and stripy socks.

"We hope the money we raised for Manly-Manado will help people in need," said the girls. "We would also like to thank Manly-Manado for the work you are doing for the people in Manado".

A huge THANKYOU right back to Carly and Stephanie for taking action against poverty. The girls successfully raised $50 which will be sent to Bridge of Hope our micro enterprise development partner in Manado. Good on you girls!

Manly-Manado features as part of Blog Action Day: Poverty

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:55:00 GMT

On 15 October, over 12,000 bloggers banded together to discuss a single issue - poverty. Australian bloggers, Instantiate, joined in and issued a podcast looking at how technology and the web are helping people to help others. As well as looking at international organisations such as Kiva.org, One Laptop Per Child and Google.org, they also talked about Manly-Manado.

It was so encouraging to hear Instantiate praise the movement's purpose - to create awareness of, and take action against, the mutual poverty that exists within both Manly and Manado, through a relational connection.

They also talk about how Manly-Manado is a relational movement and is transforming lives in both Manly and Manado. It's encouraging to hear such strong third party endorsement and to know that the Manly-Manado message is getting out to a broader audience!

The Silo loan group

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:28:00 GMT

Twenty-two kms north of Manado’s centre is a fishing village of around 100 families called Bahowo Tongkeina. Unfortunately there is not enough fish to support the community, so incomes are low and irregular. In addition, the agricultural land nearby is unproductive, making it difficult to establish a successful business. So, some of the men do carpentry work to help make a living, whilst other people grow bananas or vegetables and sell their produce in the local village and at the markets in Manado.

Within this community is a group of 14 women who belong to one of the Bridge of Hope’s micro enterprise loan groups. They are called the Silo Group and are already on their second loan cycle of Rph 750,000.     They have used the loans to invest in different businesses, including a kiosk and selling bananas, fish and jewellery. They meet every week in a small hut near the sea to discuss their businesses, encourage each other and pray for each other.

The group leader, Rensi, explained proudly that the businesses generate small profits: “I use my income to support my daughter in her accounting and economics studies at college in Manado. Most children leave the village during the week to receive education at university or college in Manado and they come back to their families at the weekend,” she said.

Overall the loan group supports 15 children. Some children are still small and their mothers are glad that they are still in primary school as they are afraid they can not afford high school. Some of the children are needed to help in their parents’ businesses, whilst others are at home and have to forego going to school.

Magdalena, another group member, is married and has one five year old son. Before receiving a loan from Bridge of Hope, she was selling iced syrup and the fish her husband caught every night.

Since receiving the first loan, she started selling some additional products, such as the jewellery and other souvenirs that her sister Uto makes. She travels with her father’s cousin in a boat to the close-by Bunaken Island twice a week to sell these items and some food.
                                                                         .
“The income from the business has allowed my family and I to move out of my parents’ house into a house of our own,” said Magdalena. With the help of the second loan, she managed to considerably increase the margins in her business. Next to further investments into the business, she used the profits to improve the house. “With the third loan I plan to expand the merchandise I am selling. I am happy and hopeful of the future,” she added, recognising the amazing changes to her family’s income and their lifestyle since the start of the project.

Magda is another member of the Silo Group and is selling fish. She is married and has a four year old daughter. Her husband is a fisherman but also has to work as a carpenter when fish are scarce. Before the loan, she could only afford to pay for the fish she bought off the fishermen after she had sold them on. Since receiving the first loan, she stopped buying on credit. She can also afford to buy more fish from other places, such as in Manado itself, where more fish are available. With the second loan, she started to sell other items such as vegetables and other produce. “The income from my business has allowed me to support my family’s needs. And I can now send my daughter to school when she turns five,” she said excitedly. “And I’m really happy that I’m still able to save after meeting all of my commitments.”

The loan group ladies’ husbands received government loans for their fishery businesses. The difference between these loans and the Bridge of Hope loans, however, is that the government loan is just paid out and then the recipients are left to their own devices. Bridge of Hope, on the other hand, accompanies the loan group through the different loan cycles by sending a project officer to the weekly meetings to support the group in establishing and expanding their businesses. The goal is holistic transformation, rather than simply providing financial aid. The different dimensions of transformation, such as economic, community and spiritual transformation, are addressed through the initial training and ongoing support the group receives.

The high repayment rates and the numerous success stories of increasingly independent, self-confident and hopeful people are a clear testimony to Bridge of Hope’s success in developing this transformation.

The ladies of this loan group have gained hope, having seen small steps of success since receiving their first loan and developing their businesses.   The Silo Group of women is considering expanding into the village and inviting new members to their loan group to share their success. They have understood that their responsible use of funds by investing, paying back and saving their loans, can now be used to help others and spread hope in their area.

A Great Walk!

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:56:00 GMT

On Saturday 13 September, 180 people took part in the Manly-Manado Walk, the renowned Spit-to-Manly foreshore fundraiser walk. Together, walkers are hoping to raise $15,000, offering 42 families a chance out of poverty by receiving a micro business loan in Manado!

The sun was shining as people of all ages came together. The youngest baby “walkers” were carried in backpacks and the oldest walker, Vera, aged 92, managed part of the walk too!

And a little bit of Manado came to Manly that day. Whilst in Manly we turn on a tap for our daily water, in Manado some people walk 600 m carrying a 19 litre container! Walkers found out just what it was like to collect and carry their daily water with some walkers carrying 10 litres from Fairlight Beach to the end of the walk. Some even carried 20 litres!!

A fantastic community day out – with plenty of fun had by all.

Thank you to all the local businesses and organisations who supported the event. Thank you also to Seaforth Baptist Church for organising the event and thank you to everyone who took part!

"Community" Poetry Competition Winners

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:57:00 GMT

Fran Inkster of Manly Library hosted the Manly-Manado Poetry Competition awards as part of the Manly Arts Festival on 13th September. The theme of the competition was "community" to reflect the Manly-Manado community partnership and emphasise the purpose of the competition - to celebrate community.

Close to 100 poets had entered their poems during the previous month and a small group of judges had made their choices of winners and highly commended in each category. "It was wonderful to receive so many entrants," said Fran. "And the Manly-Manado partnership has definitely enhanced our sense of community in Manly - uniting people of all ages. It's wonderful to see the people of Manly continue to unite around a common purpose for the people of Manado."

The Winning Poets

The winner of the Primary School Division was Courtney Sloan from Manly West Primary School with her poem:

Fireworks

Hoisted up on shoulders so I could see
We’re out late just, our community
A sparkling light goes through the summer night
Trailing their trail of glittering light
And colourful fountains pour out showers
Of shimmering sparks like warm coloured flowers
As I block my ears I see the harbour I just had to gaze
An ocean on fire and a sky ablaze

Participation Certificates are also awarded to 17 students from Manly West Primary School - what a great contribution! The winner of the High School Division was Lauren Perry from Mosman High with her poem:

Garden

I lay down in a field of meadow grass
To ponder, wonder, contemplate our way
And stop. To witness quiet life just pass-
So different from the bustling world today.

Feeling for the heartbeat of the field,
To savour sight and sing with every sound;
To understand what our life, too, could yield
If flowers unravalled from soft and fertile ground.

Our world, where trees grow solitarily
Does not produce a forest strong and dense.
With no support or binding unity
Each plant is grown behind an iron fence.

I hear the call of joy and look above
As birds of every colour, hue and shade
Soar circles, rings around a single dove:
Halo a harmony above the glade.

If only division in our world would ease
And sky burn bright. Embrace our world as whole !
Community, togetherness and peace
Grow flowers in the garden of our soul.

The winner of the Open Division was Margaret Grace from Bilgola with her poem:

Our Manly

Pounding the iPod path - joggers
slow, to stretch...sniff the salt spray
and watch green class waves
carry surfers towards the shore.

Surging up the Corso a tide
of tourists lap at shopfront doors
and in the ebb of noon clamour
for ferries...back to the city.
Toy boats in the cove seas-saw their
moorings, pinned on a silky blue sea

Now the evening pines
lengthen their shadows - people,
penguins and tales of whales
stitched to the fabric of Manly.
Folded away in the depth of night
to be shaken out next day.

Know that you share the same
sun, sea, sky and stars as Manado
in Sulawesi, the same hopes,
pain, and the same love.

Congratulations to everyone involved - a wonderful community event, celebrating community !

Meeting new Manadonese friends from Sydney

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:57:00 GMT

What better way to spend a wet and windy Saturday afternoon than having a scrumptious Manadonese lunch with a wonderful group of Manadonese people who now live in Sydney. This group of people from Manado call themselves "Mapalus Kawanua" (Gathering of people coming from the same place) and have been meeting together in Sydney for the last 20 years. They recently heard about Manly-Manado and were shocked to hear of a community on the northern beaches partnering with Manado, their home town. They invited us to lunch to find out more. It was a very special afternoon, meeting new friends, enjoying good food and sharing the vision of Manly-Manado. This promises to be the start of many new friendships and next time.....lunch is on us in Manly!

Alive at the Chapel

Tue, 04 May 2010 05:57:00 GMT

Balgowlah Uniting Church was recently transformed into a "gig space" as it opened its doors on a Friday night to over 150 people for the Manly community who gathered for a chilled out night of good music, good food and good company. "Everyone sat around on the floor or stood up the back, it was very cool to see the church transformed into a gig space, with candles and lighting setting a very chilled out mood," said event organiser, Hanna Miflin.

Funds raised on the night were for the provision of micro-loans for families in Manado through Manly-Manado's partner in Manado, Bridge of Hope. "It was so encouraging to realise that a relatively simple night like this - of good music and good food - can literally transform lives," said Hanna. We also got the opportunity to learn more about how Manly-Manado is not only transforming lives in Manado but also here in Manly. It was a really cool night and a big thanks to all who was part of it."

And a special thanks to all the people who brought their homemade baked goods which sold like "hot cakes", as well as the amazing coffee from the guys at Barefoot Coffee in Manly, who provided a free barista.