Transformational Stories

When I change...

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:25:00 GMT

By Sandy Chockman

I came to an understanding of the community partnership Manly-Manado through my church, which organises an annual walk from The Spit to Manly, raising money for the micro-financing group, Bridge of Hope. I remember earnestly seeking sponsorship at work and amongst my various friendship and social groups. I gave each a passionate speech about the effectiveness of micro-financing in creating sustainable opportunities for families and individuals to transform their lives out of poverty. I felt effective. I was doing something practical that addressed the social injustice of entrenched, generational poverty. I was doing something to help break that cycle. I realised that my small efforts multiplied within the Manly community could create big changes.

Within my church I grew relationships with people in the movement – I found myself listening carefully, paying attention when they spoke about Manly-Manado. I wanted to ‘do something’ that would help draw attention to and positively affect the inequalities that exist between developed and developing communities. However a very personal and deeper yearning was a desire to ‘belong’ – to be part of something ‘in’ community. A community of active compassionate individuals compelled, not by self-actualisation, but rather by selfless acts of service. Service that builds connectedness and fosters reconciliation and unity and more specifically DYNAMIC COMMUNITY!

In Manly-Manado I found this community, relationships that helped to meet the need and poverty in my own life. It became a journey of learning. It is my belief, as a teacher, that knowledge and education are what creates and sustains change. We learn – we practice – we grow – we are transformed – we teach.

I have been fortunate enough to work on a project providing resources for the Sumompo Rubbish Tip Community Resource Centre. This project has providentially created opportunities to speak at local churches, community events and schools, educating and informing on social justice issues. It has also drawn attention to global issues of poverty as expressed by the Millennium Development Goals.

Along the way I have been both challenged and inspired to continue my education, to consume less, to love my neighbours and to grow in my understanding that we all have a role advocating on behalf of the poor for policy changes. I have learnt that each of us has gifts; each of us can be active and each of us can be effective!

The injustice of circumstances that condemn children and their families worldwide to live in poverty can be overwhelming. Poverty can become like a vast ocean and we stand on the shore with just a small pebble in our hand. It can seem like nothing, but in tossing it into that ‘vast ocean’, the ripples it creates start and get bigger and bigger, and you never know how big they will get or what shore they will reach. Just imagine the splash we could make as a whole community galvanised into action!

I never ‘hoped or imagined’ how dynamically my relationships within the community fostered by ‘Manly-Manado’ would change my life, and how that in turn would effect and change the lives of people I have connected with both in Manly and Manado, and beyond!

I used to make excuses but now I know I can be useful in making a difference. I came to realise that when I change, the whole world changes.

Making 'doing right' part of doing life'

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:24:00 GMT

By Jim Collins

I’ve often been asked what I have enjoyed most about Manly-Manado – and how my experiences have transformed me. And, as I look back over its five-year journey, Manly-Manado provided some of the richest experiences of my whole life. But more profoundly, these experiences changed how I live.

From the moment I heard Jim Goddard’s crazy idea of a ‘community partnership’, bridging the divide between the developed and developing world I was hooked. 2005 was the year of Making Poverty History – the shame and sadness of our international inequalities showcased by white wristbands, Bono and Bob – and here was a chance for me as an idealistic, Bible college student to join in the grassroots Action Against Poverty.

Offered a spot on the Steering Committee, I jumped at the chance. We helped Jim flesh out the vision, fine tune the purpose – and we prayed… We saw God move powerfully in those early days. It was exciting: Manly’s churches signed up, council agreed to champion the cause. Locals got together and danced, ate and sang; people bought and sold at all number of events, raising awareness and funds for Manado.

As churches, we began to grasp God’s deep desire for His people to stand against injustice, and play our part in bringing change. I began to unearth my writing and speaking gifts God had entrusted to me, and was employing them in antipoverty work. I’d never felt so fulfilled in my work life before. It was wonderful!

When my good friend, Stu Harris asked me to visit Manado to co-write Love in Action, I was thrilled. In Indonesia, I saw the impact of Manly’s collective efforts taking shape in changed lives – people we connected with, fellow members of God’s family. We met smiling mothers who proudly described how they could now feed their kids and provide a brighter future, because of Bridge of Hope’s small business loans. We spent emotional time with our sponsor children – watching Ricky and Nia enjoy life, love and laughter in a Compassion child development centre. The results were tangible. People in Manado shone with gratitude for the opportunities and hope given them.

Seeing raw poverty was confronting. At Sumompo’s rubbish dump, the ever-present stench and stomach-churning conditions that families endured was hard to accept. Hundreds of millions of people live like this – suffering poverty, injustice and exploitation – Stu and I couldn’t change that. But Love in Action was born out of our dream to make a difference – doing what little we could do.

Most of all, Manly-Manado has changed how I want to live. God used it to show me who I am, and helped me begin to craft a justice-oriented lifestyle. Acting against poverty is so much more than giving up loose pocket change. If I’m serious about cutting poverty’s cancer out of the global lung, I must change. It means considering what I do with my time, how I earn my money, what I shop for. It means setting my sights on things that really matter, not just the glittering ‘baubles’ that advertisers dangle before my eyes. It means raising my kids to care for God’s world and showing how they can impact it for good or bad.

God has used Manly-Manado to transform many lives – way beyond what we will ever see or know. But most of all it taught me that doing right can become part of the way I do life…

Bridging the gap

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:27:00 GMT

By Jes Stovold

Prior to becoming involved with Manly-Manado, my action in response to the little I knew about poverty was limited to sponsoring a child and making irregular donations towards particular causes I felt worthy of my financial support. Both of these actions are valid responses; however neither of them had an effect on my life, apart from a slight change to my bank balance. The community partnership between Manly and Manado on the other hand has had a profound effect on my life.

Through Manly-Manado I have been able to engage with my own community in ways I never dreamed were possible. I have been involved with educating people about poverty through experiential activities. I have seen people become inspired to take action by using their skills and passions to raise awareness and funds. I have witnessed people from different walks of life come together and unite through participation in events and activities supporting causes beyond themselves.

I have ended up experiencing my own journey of transformation from my respective areas of poverty through the relational connections made through Manly-Manado. The richness I have gained in relational, spiritual and emotional connections are, as a famous credit card ad would say, ‘priceless’ and are far greater than any financial donation I could ever make.

One of the examples of change that has occurred in my life as a result of Manly-Manado is my experience and view of ‘church’. I have been going to church for most of my life and sometimes struggle with religious traditions, such as the existence of denominations. The early church, as described in the New Testament, was made up of groups of people who lived as followers of Christ (Christians) from a particular region, not from a particular denomination. Even though I still follow the accepted tradition of regularly attending one particular church on Sundays, Manly-Manado has enabled me to connect with other Christians in my community beyond the boundaries of a building or a denomination.

The opportunity to unite with people in my community, Manly, to work purposefully towards a goal of supporting and partnering with another community, Manado, cannot be compared with simply writing a cheque or making a donation to a charity – the result has been so much richer and beneficial for both myself and the poor.

A mosaic consists of thousands of little stones. When we bring our faces close to the mosaic, we can admire the beauty of each stone. But as we step back from it, we can see that all these little stones reveal to us a beautiful picture, telling a story none of these stones can tell by itself. That is what our life in community is about. Each of us is like a little stone, but together we reveal the face of God to the world. Community is where humility and glory touch.
Henri J. Nouwen ʻThe Mosaic that shows us the Face of Godʼ

Engaging school students

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:26:00 GMT

By Jane Goddard

It’s been an exciting privilege to have been a part of the local schools’ engagement with Manly-Manado over the past five years. This unique community movement has entered the classrooms of many local primary and high schools and had lasting impact. Over the past five years, thousands of local children and youths have engaged personally with this community movement.

They have engaged through lessons in their classrooms, experiential learning experiences offered by Manly-Manado volunteers, community events and through initiating their own funds and awareness raising events. Through their engagement, student’s eyes have been opened to the plight of the world’s poor and they’ve been able to connect personally with those living in poverty in Manado. It has been through their connection with individuals and families in Manado that they have been able to see the impact an individual and a whole community can have in responding to the needs of others.

One of the guiding beliefs of Manly-Manado is that poverty can be overcome through education, reflection and action. As a teacher, I have witnessed the exciting transformation of many students’ hearts in response to the issue of global poverty, as it has been presented through Manly-Manado. I have witnessed children and youth empowered to take action against poverty and initiate fundraising events in order to help provide micro loans for families in Manado.

For example, students at Mackellar Girls Campus, Balgowlah Boys Campus and St Paul’s College, in response to their engagement with the Geography Case Study based on Manly-Manado, have initiated annual fundraising events and engaged in a community poetry competition and sponsored walk. Students have also shared their understanding with their families and church groups.

I also think of one student I’ve taught, a Year 8 student, who has for the past two years initiated a Christmas collection in her street to raise money for the provision of micro loans to poor families. This action was inspired by her desire to make a difference in the lives of others. She has since sought to become an advocate for children in poverty, especially children who are victims of slave labour and human trafficking.

The Geography Case Study that was put together as a teaching tool for teachers to use in local high school classrooms was excitingly shared with teachers at the annual NSW Geography Teachers Association meeting in 2008. Since that time, the case study has been shared with teachers around Australia via the Global Education website. It has been a privilege to hear the stories of how students have engaged with the learning content from the Case Study.

The movement has not only impacted students within schools. Staff and parents have also engaged with Manly-Manado and through their engagement had their hearts transformed. The movement has truly had a wonderful and lasting impact on our local community. It’s hard to measure the impact on the youth, but I know that it has offered many young individuals a sense of hope in being able to address the needs of the World’s poor.

Lighting up the neighbourhood

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:26:00 GMT

By Hannah Phillips (age 14)

My eyes have really been opened to the injustices that exist in our world since I first became involved in Manly-Manado four years ago. As soon as I heard about the movement and learned more about how we could come together in Manly to help the people of Manado I knew that I wanted to get involved – but I wasn’t sure how.
Every year my family decorates our house at Christmas time with a wonderful display of Christmas lights and this gave me an idea. I decided to use this opportunity to not only raise funds the people of Manado and awareness of the issues that the people of Manado face but also as an opportunity to reach out to my own community of Balgowlah and meet new people.

So, for the past four years, and for more than about a total of 80 evenings I’ve used the Christmas lights at our house as an opportunity to talk to passers-by about Manly-Manado. And in doing so I’ve collected over $4,000, which has been used to support families in Manado through Bridge of Hope’s micro loan program. Along the way I’ve learned so much more about the injustice and inequalities that exist in our world. I’m just thankful that I’ve been able to take action and do something about this in my own community – Manly-Manado has provided me with the opportunity to do this. It’s also been lots of fun as we’ve had to think about different ways to attract people’s attention such as waving hot pink glow sticks to attract the attention of passing motorists!

An added benefit is that my family has met so many new people in our neighbourhood who have come to visit our Christmas lights, including one neighbour who visited our house and donated money every night as part of their daily exercise routine. And out of this we have also started a new tradition of holding a lawn party for the youth from All Saints Church in between the Christmas Eve Services.

In addition to giving passers by the opportunity to support the community partnership my friends have been 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 – it’s been like a ripple effect.

I feel so much part of our local community through Manly-Manado and proud that the movement has enabled me to reach out to my local community and stir their hearts. Our Christmas lights have not only helped to unite and light up our neighbourhood but also light up the lives of those in Manado.

Opening my eyes to injustuce

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:25:00 GMT

By Jasmin Howorth (age 17)

Through my personal involvement in Manly-Manado my eyes have been opened not only to the urgent need that exists in the world to alleviate the issue of global poverty (in what we know as a lack of material wealth) but also to the fact that poverty is a much broader issue. And I have been really challenged to think about the mutual poverty that exists in both Manado and Manly through our community partnership.

I have been fortunate enough to travel to Manado with my family and to meet the people with whom we are partnering. It was such a memorable trip. Whilst the material and physical poverty was truly evident in Manado I was struck by the people’s friendliness, generosity and community spirit, which is something we often lack in our community. That is the great thing about our community partnership – we can come together in Manly to help provide for the people of Manado through using our gifts and talents and at the same time we can learn from the people in Manado to build a great emotional, spiritual and relational richness in our own community.

I have learned that this is not a one-way relationship – the benefits can be and should be mutual between both communities.

I’ve been involved in many of events that have taken place in Manly and it has been wonderful to see our community unite as one for a common purpose. I’ve met lots of new people in Manly whom I would never normally meet and it’s been a lot of fun too. Manly-Manado has provided me with the opportunity to take action on behalf of the poor and has shown me that we all have something to bring to the table.

Through my involvement with Manly-Manado, which started when I was 13, I have developed a deep desire to learn more about poverty and the injustices that exist in our world. And I don’t only want to learn more – I want to be part of a generation that stands up and takes action to end global poverty. The seeds that have been planted through Manly-Manado have grown to give me a passion and purpose in my life.

I’m currently in my final year at school and the Manly-Manado movement has empowered me to use many opportunities – whether it is in my role as the Social Justice Prefect at school, or in my written work, leading a youth group or just amongst my peer group – to advocate on behalf of the poor; to educate others about poverty and the injustices in our world and encourage them to take action.

The movement has also inspired me to look more into broader areas of poverty such as slavery, fair trade, trafficking and the Millennium Development Goals and to become involved in other campaigns. Through Manly-Manado my family have also been inspired to work more in the area of aid and development and to travel to other countries and become involved in other projects to help the poor.

I want to live a life that is full of purpose and I as I approach the end of my schooling I am excited about what the future holds as I feel God is calling me to work in the area of aid and development – a journey that started with Manly-Manado. So for me Manly-Manado has been life-changing – thank you Manly-Manado!

Taking action together

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:25:00 GMT

By Dave Rowe, Lead Pastor, Seaforth Baptist Church

We got involved with Manly-Manado (or Action Against Poverty as it was then) right from the start after Jim Goddard came and presented the idea to our local ministers gathering. The idea of churches joining together at a local (rather than just denominational) level to engage with our community and mobilise our community to see change both here and overseas was a compelling vision.

I particularly loved the communal way in which everyone was encouraged to use their individual gifts and talents to come up with an idea and then run with it. Manly-Manado provided the framework and the inspiration but the idea that each person could do something from as little as selling cakes or washing cars to running large events with a few hundred people was really exciting.

Even more exciting was seeing people being energised and feeling released to ‘do something’. There was money raised and a sense of empowerment and ownership that came with that but probably equally as important for us was the sense of ‘togetherness’ that came with each event. Events weren’t “the Anglican Church”, or “the Baptist Church” or “the Uniting Church” they were “us” as the people of Manly.

For us as a church it was invigorating to see scores of people finding a voice and getting involved in projects that our church ran or other churches ran.

Since being involved we have had over a dozen adults and a similar number of kids travel to Manado to witness first-hand what their efforts are achieving. This connection has been an invaluable experience of the complexity of mission and also of the impact. I love that our kids, especially from a very early age, are getting the crystal clear message that their wealth comes with responsibilities and that they have the power to impact and change the world one life at a time.

For us, Manly-Manado breaks the sense of the problem of poverty being “too big” or even “someone else’s problem” and brings it back to one life at a time, one business at a time, one community at a time and now, one church at a time. We have seen young people in their teens choosing careers and travel destinations that reflect their heart to be ‘change agents’ not just spectators or passive participants in our culture.

The goal of mutual transformation that lay at the heart of Manly-Manado has certainly born fruit in our community and we are richer in so many ways for having taken part.

Lia and Diana of Sumompo

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:27:00 GMT

Sumompo is a small village located 10km north of Manado city. In the centre of the community is a rubbish dump, providing work for around 100 people who scavenge for paper and plastic. Families, who have moved to Sumompo in search of work from nearby provinces, live in makeshift houses near or on the dump.

Every day dozens of trucks, both Government and private, drop off all sorts of rubbish from the city. People of all ages and gender participate in the work, scavenging alongside dogs. In hot weather thongs are worn, in wet weather gumboots are used, if they can be afforded. The key tool is a ‘gonjol’, a half metre steel hooked rod to help sort and pick paper and plastic. Even though each individual is responsible for how much paper and plastic they collect, there is a strong sense of team-work, camaraderie and family on the dump.

In January 2008 Christian Surfers Australia organised the inaugural Paddle Against Poverty, a 10km paddle from Collaroy to Manly that raised over $10,000 towards helping families on the rubbish dump. The money was used by Bridge of Hope to build a community education resource centre, buy books, guitars, arts and crafts, a tv and sports equipment, as well as employ Meldi, a full time administrator and teacher. The centre was named Sengkanaung, meaning ‘one in heart’, by a Meylan, a 15yr old local girl. Sengkanaung offers a variety of services focusing on education and health, opening the door of opportunity to the children who work on the rubbish dump, providing them with choices for their future.

Meldi has devoted 6 days a week, 11 hrs a day, over the last 6 months, working alongside myself, Will Wrathall from Manly, as I was given the opportunity to work in Manado through the AusAID Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) Program.

Some 40-60 children attend Sengkanaung daily after school. They read books, play sport and games, get involved in music and art and learn English. Monthly quizzes always attract a great crowd of children to the centre, which is now a central meeting place outside the rubbish dump. Meldi also gives classes to 16 children every day from 5-6.30pm, AFTER they finish working for 5-8 hours at the rubbish dump, collecting 10kg of plastic, sold for as little as $3 a day. Two of these children are Lia and Diana.

It took several months for Meldi and I to gain Lia and Diana’s trust when they first started attending Sengkanaung, but slowly we began to receive smiles each time we met them. Both Lia and Diana are resourceful and industrious in their work, which in Indonesian culture brings great honour to their families. After working on the dump each day they come straight to the resource centre. Sengkanaung has now become a place of refuge, fun and education for them.

Lia (12) has a warm and loving family environment, living with her grandma and aunty and uncle. They live in a simple home with two rooms accommodating seven. As the eldest child, and for financial reasons Lia’s parents had to withdraw her from school several years ago to work on the rubbish tip with her grandma. Each day they walk to the rubbish tip together and share the workload. Her skin is darker than the rest of her family because of daily outdoor work, which is undesirable in Indonesian culture. To be fair skinned is to be beautiful.

Lia is a smart girl. Since she has been attending the classes at Sengkanaung, she has shown incredible discipline and motivation to pass her primary school exams. Amazingly this will provide her with the opportunity to go to a Government high school and allow her to stop working on the rubbish dump come July this year.

Diana has spent her life scavenging for paper and plastic on the dump. She lives with her extended relatives who are inconsistent in their support and care of her. Now that her extended aunt, her primary carer is getting old, Diana has to provide for her and her sick husband. Diana doesn’t know how old she is, but her aunt says she thinks Diana is 13. Her leathery hands, feet and rugged face suggest she has lived well beyond her age. Her new friendship with Lia provides a constant source of joy in her life.

Diana has never been to school and was overwhelmed with fear, shame and excitement at her first lesson. She now attends classes at Sengkanaung run by Meldi six days a week after working on the dump. Understandably, she is often restless and finds it difficult to concentrate. Diana hopes to pass her exams and continue her education through the informal system as she will need to continue working to support her family.

Sharing the transformational journey of the hearts and hopes of these two girls has truly been an incredible privilege that has transformed my life in the process. We will never be the same again because we joined together in relationship, supported by the generosity of others, through this wonderful enduring community partnership. God Bless you all.

By Will Wrathall

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.

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.
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“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.

Will Wrathall's story

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:28:00 GMT

By Will Wrathall
I first got involved with The Manly-Manado Community Partnership in 2005. At that time I was working as a Youth Pastor at Seaforth Baptist Church. When I heard about the vision all I could see were numerous positives. It provided the opportunity for me to connect the young people in my care with people from a different culture and context. Not only that, but it provided an opportunity to link them with other young people in the local Manly community, and to unite across denominations and schools, another form of primitive tribalism! Essentially, I was inspired because the movement offered something uniquely different to other charity initiatives which often focus on the distribution of money to meet needs. In contrast, building authentic global and local relationships was at its core.

Through Manly-Manado I have been able to use my skills as a teacher and communicator in local schools and churches. Each week I would teach at Balgowlah Boys in lunch time for boys who wanted to do more than just live a normal life. I was constantly amazed that they would come each week - even without providing junk food as an incentive! One of the highlights was seeing 14 Bally Boys respond in a practical way by participating in the M-M walk. Together they raised over $2000! At St Paul’s Catholic College I gave a few year group presentations and was very happy to meet staff and students respond in practical ways.

Through Manly-Manado I have developed many new friendships with people in the Manly community across church and school denominations. It has increased my desire for community and a community that is active in alleviating very real problems. I have become aware of the subtle forms of poverty that exists in Manly: an excessive busyness preventing genuine community and resulting in weariness, loneliness and isolation.

On a personal level I am now equally concerned in matters big and small of global responsibility. Some people may think I’m crazy, but in Australia I will never accept a plastic bag from a shop with the knowledge that I have hundreds at home, and that they pose an environmental impact in the long term and already cause many problems in our waters. Usually I bring a green bag, so it’s often a funny sight watching me juggle $40 worth of groceries in my hands! In this example, I believe that making a decision and sticking to it is what’s important. In big matters, fair trade is important to me. I am now content to live on less. I don’t need to eat out as much, or keep buying new clothes. I would rather give money to others in real need. Beyond myself, I have been excited by the way churches have united under this vision of community partnership and begun to work together, share resources and support one another.

The decision to go to Manado was quite simple really. I have become increasingly frustrated by the harsh inequalities there are in the world and want to do something more than simply write a cheque. I have a strong conviction that ridding inhumane inequalities present in society was something close to Jesus’ heart. He continually demonstrated this challenging the rich and powerful, and siding with the poor, uneducated and powerless. Complementing this growing conviction was the gift of a background in the Indonesian language, studying at High School and University, and the opportunity to join Ian Freestone on a trip in April 2004.

Upon meeting people face to face in their daily lives and seeing how profoundly different they were to mine, I was aware I had won the ‘lottery of latitude’. Consequently, I have become genuinely thankful for my life. Furthermore, I didn’t want to walk away from these very real people and live with my head in the sand in the insular peninsula. My response was not motivated by obligation, but was driven by the knowledge that with freedom there is responsibility.

Since being in Manado I have become increasingly challenged by the mobility and seemingly endless opportunities that I have, in stark contrast with the lack of mobility and opportunities for people here. Living side by side these people I am very thankful for the opportunities I have been given, and simply want to open the doors of opportunity to those who are not fortunate enough to be given them. I am constantly aware that money is not the solution, but that changing my heart is.

As I continue to live here I hope to be continually challenged and to strive towards bridging inequalities in education. I hope education in schools continues in Manly as I endeavour to write a curriculum and generate support from schools in Manado. Over time I hope that relationships will be established: school to school, church to church, council to council.

The potential for this model to be replicated is huge; imagine 50 community partnerships like this were started by 2015! This, I believe, would be a great step towards the Millenium Development Goals vision for the eradication of extreme poverty by 2015. Furthermore, community partnership builds a foundation of global education and understanding to prevent ignorance, prejudice and miscommunication to cause divisions and escalating problems from this. I believe that cross-cultural education and communication is a fundamental building block for a safe and secure global community.

I believe the Manly-Manado movement offers people in Manly a unique opportunity to be involved in something to tangibly connect with people from another culture and context in a long-term effort to eradicate both the obvious forms in Manado and the subtle forms in Manly. Together, our hearts can be transformed through cross-cultural relationship. Together with the community in Manado we can improve the quality of our lives and ensure a greater global future.

Slava shares impact of Manly-Manado

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:28:00 GMT

Slava Cehovskih has been living in Manly for six years and is an active member of Christian Surfers Australia. Slava was involved in organising Christian Surfers' Paddle Against Poverty (from Collaroy to Manly) in January this year, which raised a massive $10,000 for the Sumpompo Rubbish Tip Project in Manado.

Join Slava in this video podcast where he shares the impact that the Manly-Manado community partnership has had on his life, the Manly community and those around him.

Sefina - kiosk owner

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:29:00 GMT

Sefina Masihor (42) lives in a rural outer suburb of Manado and belongs to a loan group from Bridge of Hope, consisting of 17 local women. She is married to husband David Takapaha (49) and has three sons: Novel (24), Marcelling (22) and Einstein (14).

Her husband David is a motorbike taxi driver whilst Novel works locally as a labourer and Marcelling is a petrol pump attendant. Her youngest son Einstein is still at school.

Sefina joined Bridge of Hope’s micro loan program in March 2006 and together with her other women team members is already on her third loan of Rph 1,000,000 (AU$130). “I had never borrowed money before,” said Sefina. “But I really like the Bridge or Hope program as it has given me an opportunity to expand the local kiosk I run in my village.” The first loan Sefina received over a year ago was Rph 500,000 (AU70).

Before receiving her first loan from Bridge of Hope, Sefina was limited on how many products she could sell at the kiosk in her local village. She started by selling fried bananas and only working two or three days a week. Through the loan system she has been able to expand the kiosk to include fish, rice, vegetables and other consumables.

“I used to earn about Rph 40,000 per day (AU$5),” said Sefina. “But now 12 months later I have been able to more than triple that to Rph 150,000 per day (AU$20),” she announced proudly.   And the other women in her group confirmed that, while clapping their hands excitedly and shouted “Yes it’s true – she really does earn that much money”. They all encouraged their friend to tell more about her successful business.

Sefina is a hard working woman. Her thriving kiosk, located alongside a narrow, bumpy road in the village is now open seven days a week. She is a highly motivated lady who is very clear about how the money from the loans is helping her.   More expansion plans are definitely on the horizon.

“I want to build a bigger business,” she said confidently. “I’m very busy and whilst I get busier as the business expands, it feels good to be busy. I like it and I’m happy,” she said with a broad smile.

Sefina’s loan group is a close knit group of women. They are all enjoying being together and supporting each other with any business problems they have. “It is a lot of fun to do the training together, such as jam making and baking,” said Sefina. “ The training program binds us together.”

Sefina thanks God for looking after her and giving her the opportunity to join the program. All of the women go to the same church and use some of their money to donate to the church to help the widows there. Sefina also helps out in her community by assisting with the catering for funeral services.

When asked what she plans to do with her next loan she says: “I can keep expanding the business of course.” She paused briefly and then added proudly: “And it will help me to keep my son Einstein in high school.   In fact, we want to be able to send him to university.

“The loans I have received from Bridge of Hope have given me that hope,” she concluded.

Katrina

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:29:00 GMT

Katrina (42) is married to Elvianus (41) and lives in a small house on her uncle’s land with her son Doddy (11) and her elderly mother Anna. She is part of the Winetin Village community, where the majority of the people are farmers living under the flight path of Manado’s international airport.

Her daughter, Leiske (24) and eldest son Donny (20) have both left the small two-room family home to try to find work on the neighbouring island of Sumatra. Both Leiske and Donny had to leave school in grade six (age 12) as the family could not afford to send them to high school.

Katrina’s husband, Elvianus, is a rice farmer but with limited work available his income is irregular. “Sometimes there is no work for up to a month for my husband,” said Katrina sadly. So, for many years Katrina has helped to support her family by picking fruit and vegetables from the local farm and then traveling one hour each way by local bus to sell the goods in the busy market in Manado. But sometimes there was no fruit available for her to pick and buy locally so there were many days when Katrina was not able to earn any money. An average day’s income for the family was around Rph 25,000 – that’s AU $3 a day !

With these three dollars Katrina needed to support her family of four and then with any left over money buy local fruit to sell at the market. So, because of her lack of available capital, it was very limiting how much she was able to invest in food to buy and sell and there was no spare cash for any medical emergencies.

In the past Katrina had to borrow money from a loan shark if her children were sick. This happened last year when Doddy had to spend two weeks in hospital with suspected typhoid. “That was our only choice,” said Katrina “We couldn’t afford to pay the medical costs and I had to continue to try and work whilst Doddy was in hospital. I was charged 20 per cent interest per month and had to make daily repayments to the loan shark.”

Katrina and her family were trapped in the poverty cycle. The family’s financial position was very shaky.

“Of course I worried, but what else could I do?” said Katrina with a frown. “But then last year I heard about Bridge of Hope and its micro lending program from a friend in the village. I heard that it was a very good loan system for people like us who are weak economically,” she said. She decided to join the 18-member loan group who meet once a week to share their business problems and to pray with and encourage each other.

“My first loan from the Bridge of Hope helped me to repay Doddy’s medical bills and use the extra capital to buy more fruit to sell,” she said. Since joining the loan system with Bridge of Hope, Katrina has been able to double her daily income to an average of Rph 50,000 per day – around AU$6.50 per day !

When asked how she feels about this, she looks up and gives a broad grin “I used to always worry about money. I still worry sometimes, but life is much more enjoyable now.” “I can now also save as well, so if we have any medical difficulties I have savings I can use. Since joining Bridge of Hope I have been able to save Rph 175,000 (AU$25.00),” she said proudly.

Katrina is also enjoying the training she is getting with her Bridge of Hope loan group in her village. “I’m learning lots of new things such as how to make noodles and cookies.” Now with the help of the loans Katrina has diversified her business, selling fish, which she buys and sells in her village.

Katrina can now afford to send Doddy to high school which requires an admission fee of Rph 200,000 (AU$28). The loan has given Katrina a new found hope and she can see a future for her and her family. “Yes,” she sighs with relief. “The loan has given me freedom.”

Anneke

Tue, 04 May 2010 02:29:00 GMT

The story below is of Anneke (41) who lives with her husband Ernest (43) and sons Novie (18) and Michael (17). They live in a small shack in close proximity to a major rubbish tip on the outskirts of Manado. They built the shack with plywood provided by the government. Her eldest daughter, Daisy (20), has married and has left the family home and is living further up the hill closer to the rubbish tip. Ernest has been carrying an injury sustained while working as a labourer. As a result he is no longer able to work and so generates no income. Anneke has been the main income earner since Michael was seven months old, and like many she has been forced to live off the rubbish tip.
For the last 16 years Anneke has earned money by collecting and selling plastic and glass from the tip. She starts her day at 5am and works until 5pm, six days a week. Sunday is a rest day when she attends church. She also finishes work early on Wednesdays to attend the Bridge of Hope group meeting for encouragement and support. Her income is dependent on how much plastic and glass she can scavenge from the tip. One kilo of plastic yields seven cents. One glass bottle yields a meagre one cent. On average she is able to earn between AU$4 and AU$5 a week. Lately the glass bottles have been harder to find and her income has dropped. It is back breaking work in horrendous conditions. “Look at my hair, look at my feet, my hands. Look at my skin,” said Anneke with dejected eyes. “This is how you look when you have worked on the rubbish tip for 16 years.” The government has recently erected iron fences around the tip in an effort to keep the scavengers out. This has made life much harder for Anneke, who now has to take a more hazardous route to gain access to the rubbish tip. With very little income, her children Michael and Novie could no longer attend school. They left school at the age of 12 and have become part of the group of many scavengers living off the rubbish tip.
Anneke heard about the Bridge of Hope loan program from an aunty and joined this year, receiving her first loan of Rph 500,000 (AU$70). She used some of this to buy food and oil for cooking, helping to bring them out of poverty. With the encouragement of her group, she is hoping to buy rubbish off other scavengers and sell cakes. She has also bought a baby pig, that she hopes to sell at a later stage. Life on the rubbish tip is getting harder for Anneke and thousands of people like her. “Yes my life is getting better, but I cannot say how right now,” said Anneke.
The loan from Bridge of Hope does however give her a chance to raise her standard of living, give her back some dignity and join a community for support.