Hope for Haitians continues to grow

Published: 21 February 2010

Digging deep: St Joseph's, Nundah students (from left) Nathaniel Matthews, Katie Hall, Amy Carmichael and Mikaela Wyngaard with hearts they collected to help Haitians

CATHOLIC schools have responded to the call from Caritas Australia to help survivors of the earthquake in Haiti that killed almost 200,000 people and left thousands injured and many more homeless.

In true Blessed Mary MacKillop spirit, students at St Joseph's School, Nundah, extended a helping hand and heart to the people of Haiti, raising funds to assist Caritas in their relief efforts.   

Students at the school had been discussing the concept of "Ubuntu" which means "We are who are we are, because of other people".   

By living the philosophy of Ubuntu, the St Joseph's school family reflected the Josephite tradition and Mary MacKillop's words, that they might "seek first the poorest and neglected parts of God's vineyard".

Hearts were presented to classes for each $5 they brought in, symbolising how people can give with their hearts and the notion to help others without expecting anything in return.

Students Amy Carmichael and Nathaniel Matthews said they wanted to raise money for Caritas to share their good fortune with those less fortunate.

"This is our small way to display the Ubuntu spirit that exists at St Joseph's," they said.