Nightly from Dec 7th, Hannah and Emma Phillips stood outside their brightly illuminated Balgowlah Heights home collecting donations for the people of Manado. Waving hot pink glow sticks to attract the attention of passing motorists, the girls collected donations and handed out pamphlets to those who gave.

Many were keen to learn more about the partnership between the  Manly and Manado communities. A number of local residents said that they were waiting for the collection to start, as they had given the previous year. The collection became a community event, with a number of local children coming regularly to help collect. This lead to their parents learning more about Manly - Manado. It also lead to impromptu picnics around the illuminated Christmas tree in the front yard! In total $1026.00 was raised - almost enough for three families to be raised out of poverty.

It's great that we could not only light up our neighbourhood, but also light up the lives of our brothers and sisters in Manado!