Emele Duituturaga, Christmas Bowl visitor in Australia this month, has expressed gratitude and thanks for the love and giving during the 54 years of the Christmas Bowl program.

Speaking at launches in NSW, ACT, Tasmania, South Australia and Queensland, Emele, a development specialist, who has recently facilitated a Training Program for Solomon Island leaders in association with the Australian Council for Overseas Aid, said that the short-term achievements of the Australian Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands would only be sustainable if assistance was provided to the government and people to address the underlying causes of the crisis, particularly through a long-term process of deep engagement with Solomon Islands civil society.  

“No amount of government and military intervention and removal of weapons can give people dignity – the message of Jesus to find more meaningful ways of overcoming violence, to give love and hope, in the way the Christmas Bowl does, is a very powerful message,” Emele said.

In Fiji, where Emele lives, the challenges are enormous.  The Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy is responding to racial, social, economic and political situations in its programs – and is grateful for the A$ 50 000 grant from the Christmas Bowl.

The Social Empowerment Education Program, which Emele chairs, is working on a Fiji model of community development.  It brings together traditional village leaders to reflect on cultural ideas and to bridge issues of race, politics and conflicts – to challenge hierarchical concepts and to introduce servant and non-violent leadership.

“The churches have a major role in working with the local people, in offering prayerful support to help the people of the Pacific to be the idyllic paradise portrayed in the glossy tourist brochures.  There is so much poverty – so little water, so little food, so little love.” 

“Your gift given through the Christmas Bowl, is like you being there with us – it brings you to the Pacific – and Australia is part of the Pacific.  It is in giving and reaching out that you really take the gospel values to the people.”

“Thank you to the Christmas Bowl and to the people of Australia from your colleagues in the Pacific.” 

Give a little HOPE this Christmas – Give to the Christmas Bowl

Photos: (Above) Emele with Graham Tupper (ACFOA), Frank Thompson (ACFOA), Doug Hewitt (NSWEC), John Ball (CWS-RDP) and Dee DeSilva (ACFOA) and (below) Emele launching the Christmas Bowl in Canberra.
Information/ Colleen Hodge - Education and Communications Programs
Photographs: Christian World Service - The National Council of Churches in Australia
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