Following the tour of leading Marist NGOs, the Champagnat Global team had the opportunity to chat with Anna Mosbauer, Director of Australian Marist Solidarity (AMS), an international relief and development agency in Asia and the Pacific Islands.
AMS works with the people of this region on a combination of short and long-term development projects. The aim of these projects is to develop or support locally sustainable educational opportunities for young people in these regions.
AMS works to bring education and hope to young people living in Asia and the Pacific, so that they can build a better future.
Three educational works that stand out at Australian Marist Solidarity?
A highlight of our recent efforts is the transformation of the library at St. Joseph’s College in Tenaru, Solomon Islands. Thanks to the generous contributions from our supporters during our mid-year appeal, we were able to refurbish a library that had been neglected since its establishment. This upgrade will enhance literacy rates, support students with their research needs, and promote reading for pleasure.
AMS is also involved in other important initiatives in the Solomon Islands. For example, Our Lady Queen of Martyrs (OLQM) school, located in a serene bay east of Makira, has benefited from donations that allowed us to build a new block with six classrooms and update the male and female ablution facilities, next to the boarding facilities. OLQM plays a crucial role as it is the only school within miles that provides education to students from surrounding villages and townships.
Additionally, the San Isidro Care Centre, a rural vocational training center for people with disabilities in the Solomon Islands, has received support from AMS. We recently funded the development of a life skills and hospitality training facility where young people can learn cooking, baking, and housekeeping skills. The centre has also built a new chapel that will serve as both a student and community hall for various educational activities thanks to the ongoing support of our donors.
Currently, AMS supports 50 locally led projects across 15 countries, all making a significant impact by bringing hope and opportunities to children and young people in Asia and the Pacific.
Which children’s rights are least respected at the international level?
Poverty continues to be one of the most pressing and serious issues impacting children’s ability to lead full and meaningful lives. When children live in poverty, they are often deprived of their basic needs, such as nutritious food, clean water, education, and healthcare. This lack of resources not only severely hampers their mental, emotional, and physical development but also exposes them to significant life-threatening risks.
While Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child has made considerable progress in protecting children worldwide, there is still much more to be done to ensure that every child’s fundamental needs are met globally.
What initiatives are being taken to defend children’s rights at Australian Marist Solidarity?
AMS has an absolute and fundamental belief in, and commitment to children’s rights and that all children, wherever they may live and whatever may be their circumstances, have the right to be protected and nurtured. Hence, AMS has adopted a safeguarding policy whereby our project activities and partners must strictly adhere to, to protect all those who experience vulnerability, particularly children and young people.
Throughout your career, what is the most surprising and moving thing you have seen in children?
Working with AMS has given me a profound understanding of the realities faced by marginalised children and their families across Asia and the Pacific. Despite the daily challenges and setbacks these children encounter, they still manage to find joy and wonder in their everyday lives. I must say, their resilience is the most moving aspect I’ve experienced in my career.
What would you highlight as fundamental when working with children in vulnerable situations?
To understand that all children are different and therefore have varying needs, desires and dreams. To have empathy and compassion to understand the experiences they have undergone prior or are currently experiencing and to allow them space to be their own person with an opinion that is heard. I believe all these points are important in creating consistency and stability which is crucial in building trust.
What can be done in schools to respect and promote children’s rights?
I believe promoting well-being and safety is a key priority along with respect for diversity, cultural sensitivity and gender equality. It is important for schools to create environments where children’s rights are not only acknowledged but are actively promoted and protected. By creating supportive and inclusive environments, we can empower children to thrive and develop into responsible, engaged individuals who contribute positively to society.