Our impact

Lizzy Ipako’s childhood dream was to become a nurse. Now, thanks to the help of kind donors like you, that dream has come true. Located in the remote town of Lukulu in Western Zambia, 25-year-old Lizzy recently graduated from the Sancta Maria College of Nursing and Midwifery.

Lizzy is one of the lucky recipients of a Mary Ward International Australia Diploma of Nursing bursary to young, marginalised people from the Western Province, one of the most impoverished regions of Zambia. These bursaries cover the tuition, practical training, travel and accommodation costs of students with significant financial need.

“The bursary has opened doors for me to do great things in my future,” says Lizzy.

And she’s rising to the challenge.

Lizzy is the youngest of eight children. Only two – of whom one is Lizzy – have gone on to tertiary education.

Lukulu is remote and offers few opportunities. The average daily income in the area is less than $2 per person. Most families live by subsistence farming. Electricity can be erratic, as can the water supply. Some people live many kilometres from the nearest health service.

Lizzy’s education was interrupted at Year 8 when her parents could no longer pay her school fees. But she didn’t let that stop her.

As soon as an opportunity to pick up her education came along, she jumped on it.

So, when the new Sancta Maria College of Nursing and Midwifery opened – and offered bursaries – it gave Lizzy the opportunity she’d dreamed of.

“It has changed my life,” says Lizzy. “I’m a role model in my community, in my family, in my district and at the national level.”

“I’m not just a nurse. I’m also an educator other people seek help from.”

And she’s a leader, elected Vice President of the union representing fellow students.

For Lizzy, “being in leadership is being a servant. I was there to support my fellow students”.

Lizzy loves nursing and is looking forward to giving back to her local community. She hopes to get a job in a local clinic. “I want to plough back my knowledge and skills. Whenever they need help, I need to be there for them,” she insists.

The Mary Ward International Australia bursary and the Loreto Sister managed college have made a huge difference to Lizzy.

“My education in this college has helped me gain confidence, boosted my self-esteem and provided an opportunity to help other young people from my community,” she says.

“The college has brought my family and me so much joy and happiness because had this not existed, I would never be able to finish my studies and work towards a better future and life.”

“And,” she says, “When I go to hospitals, I find real joy in caring for patients”.

Her message to you is straightforward; “I am really grateful, and I would like to say thank you so much. Without Mary Ward International supporting me, I couldn't have even managed to graduate. I'm a very proud beneficiary.”

Purnima Karmakar has worked as a teacher in the Brickfield schools for over six years. A resident of the Basirhat area of West Bengal, India, she finds purpose, contentment and joy in educating the children of the Brickfields community and contributing to their growth and development.

When she began her journey as a teacher, she had just graduated from secondary school and had insufficient savings or income to pursue higher education. However, thanks to KMWSC’s Teacher Training Program, Purnima had the opportunity to receive hands-on training through teaching the underprivileged children of the Brickfields while simultaneously earning a stipend to cover the cost of her degree.

Purnima says that approximately 90 trainee teachers out of 120 had or were currently utilising their stipends to pursue degrees. Although the schools are situated in remote areas and lack access to public transport and basic amenities like toilets, Purnima cycles daily to the Brickfields to share the gift of education with these children most in need.

She says: “These children are my pride and joy. Their well-being and safety are my topmost priorities.

There was once a child who had developed severe breathing problems, it was evident that he wasn’t well and needed to see a doctor immediately, but the parents were reluctant to take him to the nearby hospital because they didn’t want to spend any money. My colleagues and I tried to explain the gravity of the situation, but they constantly refused all our pleas. Eventually, us teachers gathered and contributed towards the check-up and follow-up medications. The boy is now healthy and regularly attends school.

For me seeing all these children progress and to help pave the way for a brighter future is my biggest accomplishment and I will always try to help them to the best of my abilities.”

Teaching First Nations women it’s OK to stand up and be leaders
“The first time I visited Balgo, the local women cried,” says Bianca Long. “It made me realise how welcome I was. It really warmed my heart.”

Balgo (Wirrimanu), is one of Australia’s most remote Aboriginal communities, located in the south-east Kimberley region of Western Australia.

There’s little in Balgo. It’s a town of red dirt. The football field is gravel. The population of 500 people includes over eight First Nations language groups.

With limited job opportunities, people have to make their own.

That’s why, thanks to you, Mary Ward International supports Bianca’s work at Piriwa.

Through the Piriwa Enterprise Hub, Bianca, also known as ‘Jaru girl’ on her fashion label, visits frequently as a business development mentor.

Bianca works with local First Nations women to develop financial literacy, to create products and businesses and acquire the skills they need to succeed.

“I work with the local women to teach them about printing and designing clothes,” says Bianca.

“The goal is for Piriwa to develop their own fashion label and for the women to learn about fabric printing and design and making clothing via upcycling, as well as business and selling.”

Their goal is to have a range of locally produced or upcycled clothing products for the Kimberley Showcase In 2025.

“We hope to have young women model and be photographers.”

“We’ll have a market at the showcase, which will help raise funds and also help young women learn financial literacy.”

“We sell through the Piriwa op shop and aim to sell online as well.”

Their plans are modest – photography, retail, fabric design, soap making, clothing upcycling.

“But,” says Bianca,“It’s not just about skills, it’s about leadership development too.”

“I’m teaching them to be stronger women who can speak up and lead the change in economic development.”

“We need to empower more women to become leaders in their communities for their families and generations to come. It has a multi-generational effect.”

“And it’s good for the community because everything they do through the Piriwa op shop comes back to the community. Selling clothes and the fashion label gives them money to take young people out on country as well as older people and keep people strong and promote wellbeing.”

“And it teaches them that it’s OK for women to stand up and be leaders.”

“By me coming out and giving them these opportunities it makes the women at Piriwa feel strong and right,” says Bianca. Thank you for making that happen.

Transforming lives, tackling climate change: An Interview with Maria Tilman
In August, Mary Ward International Australia board member Alzira Reis sat down with Maria Idalina Tilman, the coordinator of HAFUCO, to discuss life, climate change, and its impact on women and their communities. The following is an insight into their conversation, exploring the origins of HAFUCO, its response to environmental challenges, and the collective’s approach to empowerment and sustainability.

Maria Idalina Tilman, the coordinator of HAFUCO (Haburas Futuru Komunidada – Growing the Future with the Community), shed light on the origins and evolution of this transformative collective. Founded in 2014, HAFUCO currently has eight dedicated members, five women and three men. The group’s mission is to provide women with economic and leadership opportunities, guided by the core values of equality, empowerment through sharing, learning, and enacting change.

The collective’s agricultural programs focus on growing chickpeas, taro, and other crops, coupled with training for women and youth on food processing and preservation. These efforts aim to diversify food sources, mitigate hunger during climate shifts, and improve nutrition through cooking demonstrations for pregnant and lactating mothers.

Economically, HAFUCO enhances family income by selling products at markets and fairs, while also providing leadership training and constructing a training room funded by Mary Ward International and our supporters. The room has proved a valuable resource for HAFUCO and other local organisations striving to advance their mission.

Climate change and environmental impact
Climate change poses significant challenges to the communities within HAFUCO’s network. It disrupts agriculture, reducing daily food availability and household income and contributing to poverty. In response, HAFUCO implements strategies to counter these effects. They provide training on food preservation to ensure long-term sustainability, diversify local products, and manage seeds effectively for continued agricultural activities. Despite these efforts, challenges persist, such as the high cost of renting equipment like hand tractors.

Empowerment and community model
Operating as a collective rather than a hierarchical organisation, HAFUCO fosters mutual contribution and decision-making, particularly benefiting women in the community. This structure offers flexibility in food processing and income generation. An example of empowerment is seen in how the collective supports idea-sharing and decision-making during meetings, rotates production schedules, and strengthens collaborations with neighbourhood groups. These practices bolster individual members and promote a resilient and collaborative community model.

Sustainability and future outlook
Sustainability is a core focus for HAFUCO, ensured through regular seed storage, enhanced marketing efforts via social media and local stores, and collaboration with agricultural fairs. The collective faces challenges, including the high cost of renting agricultural equipment. Looking ahead, HAFUCO aims to expand its membership and production, enhance training activities in more villages, and continue inspiring others with their approach. The government has recognised HAFUCO’s success as best practice, setting an example for other groups in modern agricultural techniques.

Inspiring collective change
For Maria, the most rewarding aspect of her role with HAFUCO is the ability to inspire and lead, particularly in public speaking and coordination. A standout story involves her colleague, also named Maria. Over time, Maria’s improved skills in food processing and income generation have improved her confidence in leaps and bounds, as well as the respect and confidence of her family, illustrating the collective’s impact on individual lives.

HAFUCO continues to drive positive change through dedication and collaboration, proving that a community-focused approach to agriculture and empowerment can yield extraordinary results.

Sukhni and Binita Oraon, sisters from Sukna, West Bengal, were raised in a community where their parents, like most, worked long hours at the tea plantations for marginal wages. Although they went to school, they had little else to occupy their time as children. Most evenings and weekends were spent doing household chores, helping mothers in the plantations or aimlessly roaming the streets. When the Darjeeling Mary Ward Social Centre (DMWSC) began the "Sukna Jute Program" under the Ethical Enterprises initiative, the sisters were among the first few students. Eleven years later, they are now teachers in the program, empowering other girls from their community.

Sukhni and Binita's classroom is not only a place where girls learn to make jute products but a space where friendship blossoms, stories are shared, and knowledge is gained about how to identify and protect themselves against child marriage, domestic violence, trafficking, and child abuse. The sisters themselves acquired vast knowledge from the program and now aspire to share the same with the girls from their local community. With the income earned from teaching and selling their jute products, they are each pursuing their bachelor's degree with the dream of becoming teachers at the local university.

"Being associated with this program and DMWSC has given us the confidence, the independence and the faith to dream big and dream for more. We have received immense knowledge, life skills and support from the Sukna Jute Program. From the income earned, we are now pursuing our higher studies. We recently bought a bike to help with transportation, especially at night, and aspire to build a permanent house for our mother.

“Initially, our community hesitated to change and frowned upon us because we continually defied their ways. We also faced many difficulties, especially with the elders, when we encouraged the other girls of our community to be self-reliant and confident in their rights, but now, with help from DMWSC and our own unbreakable spirit, we have been embraced by our people, they even come to us with their problems and trust and respect us – this change is our most significant achievement."

Fighting injustice as a 'barefoot lawyer' in Darjeeling's tea plantations
Rajmuni's dedication to justice and her deep commitment to improving the lives of those living in the tea plantations of Darjeeling inspired her to join the MWIA-funded Legal Aid program as a ‘barefoot lawyer’.

Living on a tea plantation herself, Rajmuni witnessed firsthand the unjust working conditions experienced by her friends and neighbours, including poor pay, denial of benefits and in some cases, forced labour. Many of these issues have broader social implications, such as increased vulnerability to family violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking, all of which disproportionately impact women.

The living conditions of tea workers also present significant challenges, with many residing in substandard housing located within the estates where they are employed. These houses typically lack proper sanitation and access to clean water. Exposure to chemicals used on tea plantations pose further health risks to the workers, and poor medical facilities exacerbate these problems. There is little scope for quality education for children and in many cases, they work in the plantations instead of attending school.

What is a barefoot lawyer?
While not formally qualified in law, ‘barefoot lawyers’ are frontline workers who have received training to guide and support community members in legal matters, including worker exploitation, family violence, and human trafficking. When issues cannot be resolved with the assistance of a barefoot lawyer, a qualified lawyer will be engaged.

Barefoot lawyers play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the community and the government legal services available to them. They assist community members to navigate the legal system effectively by accompanying them to legal clinics or police stations to access legal advice or lodge formal complaints.

As community leaders, barefoot lawyers provide people with knowledge about fundamental legal principles and practices and equip them with the skills to actively participate in protecting their rights and pursuing justice for themselves. These efforts contribute to creating a culture of legal knowledge and accountability within the tea plantations.

Barefoot lawyers also play a vital leadership role in effecting larger social change by advocating for legislative reform, upholding human rights principles, and challenging injustice.

How Rajmuni’s life has changed
Becoming a barefoot lawyer has had a profound impact on Rajmuni's sense of self-esteem and purpose in life. As she has immersed herself in this leadership role, Rajmuni’s growing confidence in her abilities has given her a sense of fulfillment from helping others know and defend their rights through the legal system.

Since becoming a barefoot lawyer, Rajmuni has learnt much about the legal rights of all people in India, helping her handle a wide range of issues. Her experience in the role has also given her deeper insight into the legal, social, and economic challenges faced by those living on tea estates. This empathy has helped her to advocate more successfully for justice and equality, particularly for women.

Rajmuni has developed strong skills in conflict resolution, which have proven effective in addressing many concerns at the local level without the need for escalation to the legal system. This ability to resolve conflict locally has been highly beneficial, as it has led to quicker and more amicable solutions while also reducing the burden on formal legal processes.

As a barefoot lawyer, Rajmuni has developed her own extensive rights network. She works collaboratively with other activists, leaders, community organisers, and legal experts to advocate for change. She continues to develop the strength and perseverance essential to deal with legal problems and has become a role model for her peers and a driving force for positive change.

Future goals
As a newly established leader in her community, Rajmuni is committed to gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges and obstacles faced by all people in India. She is actively pursuing a formal education in legal studies, human rights and social justice to better address these issues.

By combining education with her work in advocacy and community engagement, Rajmuni can make a meaningful difference in the lives of marginalised people in her community and contribute to broader social change in India.

“When I work with the children,” says Sr Aithien Nguyen, “I feel happy. I feel joy when I see their faces light up because they can read.”

Sr Aithien Nguyen is an educator in Vinh Loc in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. She works with poor and disadvantaged children to give them a basic education.

And she wants to thank you.

“When we get support from Mary Ward International it helps a lot,” says Sr Aithien.

It pays the rent and the electricity bills and buys new furniture. And the students can have ‘proper’ uniforms.

“We see how happy they are when they receive proper uniforms. They wear them proudly, like children in a normal school,” Sr Aithien says.

“We don’t feel as tired as before because now we have air conditioners. And we can pay for some other teachers to help us.”

Sr Aithien was inspired to pursue this work by Mary Ward’s genuine care for children and women, and the Loreto women she has met.

“When I see the children who can't go to school, who can't get a good education, that's a call to me. I have to do something for them,” she says. And she does.

For the past year in Vietnam she has worked with children from poor families.

“We work with children who have no birth certificates, from broken families, and children living with their grandparents because their parents left them. Some children have symptoms of mental development delay. Some have run off from school. Many couldn’t pass Grade 1, even after three or four years.”

When the school first started a year ago it had only 15 students. Now they have 25, aged from six to 16.

“We focus on teaching them to read and write first,” says Sr Aithien. “And we make sure they have a safe place to be while their parents or grandparents are at work, at least in the morning while they are with us.”

Sr Aithien tries to get the children to understand the importance of literacy.

“If you don't know how to read and write,” she tells them, “Your life will be very hard, because even if you become a driver or a shipper, you'll need to know how to read the address and things. If you want to use the phone, you need to know how to read and write so you can send texts.” Sr Aithien previously spent six years in Timor-Leste, teaching in a local community.

“I moved there to help the people with very simple things in their lives. I worked with the teacher and the staff in the school and the children there,” she says.

“The children learned how to keep themselves clean, to bathe before they come to school. They wash their feet, keep the school clean, and wash their hands; simple things like that. It changed a lot in their lives,” she explained.

“The other thing I found in Timor is that when we educate the children, the children take home what they have learned at school.”

And when women and children learn how to read and write, they feel more confident about speaking up.

“It changes lives,” she insists. “It helps people to live with dignity.”

Supporters like you help Sr Aithien bring learning and dignity to people from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“When we get support from Mary Ward International Australia, we feel we have a big hand holding all the children with us.”

Pouspi Talukda is a force of nature. Pouspi is the Assistant Coordinator of the Kolkata Mary Ward Social Centre in India. She applies herself with passion to the Centre’s ‘Landing Pad’ program, which aims to reduce the stigma of menstruation and encourage the use of sanitary pads.

“There is a lot of myths about menstruation in India,” says Pouspi. “The menfolk are very orthodox and won’t speak openly about it. Even the women are very shy to speak about it."

“In many rural or poor areas, girls stop going to school when they hit puberty or begin menstruation.”

Almost two in three adolescent girls do not use sanitary pads when menstruating. They often grow up with limited knowledge of menstruation.

In rural India, many women and girls use unsanitary materials such as old rags, husks, dried leaves, grass, ash, sand, or newspapers as ‘sanitary pads’ because they do not have access to affordable, hygienic and safe products.

“For some,” says Pouspi, “Periods are seen as a disease."

That’s why, with the help of kind supporters of Mary Ward International Australia, Pouspi and her colleagues are producing 22,000 sanitary products a month to give away.

And they chip away at the myths about menstruation by holding awareness and information sessions.

It’s neither quick nor easy to change attitudes.

“In one session, it is not possible to change the mindset of years,” says Pouspa. “But after several sessions, after four to five sessions, three, four children, three, four girls are coming up and sharing about it. They're overcoming the stigma. And after five to six sessions, even the boys pick up on it.”

This project targets rural women and girls in three districts in West Bengal.

Pouspi works mostly with government school children, but also marginalised adults and girls, sex workers, tribal women, migrant labourers, trafficking survivors, and school dropouts.

Most rewarding for Pouspa is creating leaders. “After a lot of time, effort and the constant awareness sessions through various means, we come up with some leaders from the community. Usually a woman, but sometimes a man also comes forward and takes the initiative to continue this work.”

“That’s very rewarding because these leaders once used to be afraid of even carrying a pad in public or uttering anything related to menstruation openly.”

“So, when they come forward and take decisions, enlighten other community members or enlighten their peer group, including their family. That is the best reward from the work.”

Pouspa’s manager Samata agrees. “The sanitary pad unit and menstruation are very sensitive issues in India because there are a lot of social taboos involved,” Samata says.

But Samata wants you to know that by supporting Mary Ward International, you are making a huge difference to the lives of girls and women.

“Especially the girls who have less confidence during menstruation. They drop out of school, don’t mingle with their friends, and don’t talk to their parents."

“They have a better life because of this project.”