PARISH SUPPORT FOR LAP in JAKARTA

LAP FUNDRAISING COLLECTION

Over the past 15 years the LAP team in Jakarta has dedicated themselves to the care and support of over 200 children and their families living with HIV AIDS. Our parish has been supporting them through your prayers and donations for more than 12 of those years in a wonderful commitment of generosity.
LAP Jakarta has always provided nutrition support to vulnerable families and has recently extended its care to also include counselling and training programs to prepare teenagers for later life. As part of this care LAP has a particular focus on intervening and advocating on behalf of families discriminated against due to their HIV status or disability.

Here is a recent example of the LAP team acting against this discrimination:

A seventeen-year-old boy has severe cerebral palsy and lives with his mother. Recently a social worker inadvertently disclosed the health status of the family to others in their neighbourhood. As a result, the mother, who sold food for a living, not only lost her livelihood, but was forced to move from the neighbourhood.
What a plight they were in! – they were ostracized by neighbours , lost their house, and had no income. They had only each other. LAP Team in Jakarta acted immediately – They worked with a government agency to find a temporary safe place for them while they waited for placement in a government-subsidised housing facility. LAP was then able to make use of your donations to pay for the moving expenses and first two months’ rent.

I’m sure you can imagine what a relief that would have been to the young mother and her son- they’re together, they’re safe and she has a chance to continue her livelihood. It’s just one example among many of why the LAP team is so grateful for your support.

Your contributions at the fundraising collection at all Masses on the 7th/8th of November raised an incredible $3,439 to support the wonderful work of the LAP team in Jakarta. This will help give the children hope for the future, no matter their condition and most importantly, the re-assurance that someone cares about them.

Thank you once again,
Parish LAP Fundraising Team