EACH week during Lent, Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion campaign highlights the story of someone who has overcome incredible odds to become a leader in their community.
This week, Caritas introduces 22-year-old, Jamila, is a single mother, living in the world’s largest refugee camp in in Bangladesh.
A Rohingya woman, she fled the armed conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State to save herself, her elderly mother and eight-month-old baby daughter.
Having been abandoned by her husband, she faced life in the camp on her own.
Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people have crossed into Bangladesh since August 2017. More than 1.3 million people remain in the densely populated camps, in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.
Thanks to the generosity of Caritas Australia’s supporters and through the charity’s partnership with Caritas Bangladesh, Jamila had access to emergency food and shelter.
Then, as her stay in the camp stretched on, Jamila joined the Women Friendly Spaces project where she received counselling and emotional support. She learnt about health and hygiene, participated in a parenting program and learnt sewing skills to help her to earn an income.
Jamila now has a sense of community around her and feels less alone and more supported.
“I want to offer my thankful greetings to those who are kindly thinking of us from overseas,” Jamila said. “Thank you, and thanks Caritas Australia.”
To donate to Project Compassion, visit Caritas Australia’s website: www.caritas.org.au or call 1800 024 413.
