We partner the Australian community to empower vulnerable groups of children, youth and women in Asia-Pacific with special emphasis on those marginalised, overlooked or with disabilities. Support is offered irrespective of culture, race, gender or religion to programs addressing poverty alleviation & social development. Support always respects the dignity of partners and beneficiaries, shares their hopes and dreams helps them help themselves. Donations go 100% to their beneficiaries.
Recently the Japanese Catholic Community of Sydney held a fundraiser at the Holy Name of Mary Parish Hall in Hunters Hill to raise money for Orphanages in Myanmar.
The event comprised of a concert featuring performances using the traditional stringed instrument national instrument of Japan called a Koto (see picture) and singing. There was a Japanese BBQ lunch and a raffle as well as a stalls featuring, Fr Paul Glynn's books soaps made by women of the Japanese Community and white elephant stalls made up of goods donated by the community.
Koto performance by Hitomi Kurosawa and Shoko Ono
Shoko Ono originates from Kanagawa prefecture in Japan. She regularly performs and instructs at koto workshops at Australian Shakuhachi Society Festivals. Shoko was awarded her teaching license from the SawaiInternationalKotoSchool in 2003. She plans to continue her Koto studies in Australia and Japan. Her vision is to make the Koto and Japanese culture more accessible to global audiences.
Hitomi Kurosawa has been studying koto since 1998 under Satsuki Odamura and she has also studies with koto master Kazue Sawai in Japan. She has accumulated a wide range of performance experiences in various formats as a member of The Sawai International Koto School and as an individual koto player.
Misako Piper accompanied by Hiroko Fisher
Misako Piper (Saito) is a soprano from the FukushimaPrefecture. She studied voice and piano at Senzoku Gakuen University, Japan. She was later awarded scholarships for singing and piano at the Canberra School of Music. Misako is also a triple Eisteddfod winner and continues her studies and performances with David Tatersall, the musical director the University of Canberra.
Hiroko Fischer is the president of the Australian-Japan Society the ACT,
Hiroko has made an outstanding contribution to the deepening of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Australia. Also, she provided dedicated support to the student exchange programs as president of the Australia Japan Society (ACT) and promotion of Japanese language with in the ACT education system. She gained a Batchelor of Fine Arts Degree from the Kunitachi College of Music, Tokyo.
Fr Paul Glynn's Books
(all available through MMC for purchase)
Fundraiser Mini Markets
Busy BBQing for lunch!
Japanese BBQ Buffet Lunch
Raffle Prizes
Fr Frank drawing the Raffle Prize winners
If you would like to get in contact with the Japanese Catholic Community please call the Marist Mission Centre on 02 9844 2275.
MMC supports a number of residences in the camps along the Thai/Burma Border. This year, a special issue of the IRRAWADDY Magazine featuring the lives of the Burmese Refugees on the Thai/Burma Border was published in October.
A Sad, Sad Celebration Twenty-five years of challenges and achievements for the Thailand Burma Border Consortium—and no end in sight. JIM ANDREWS reports. Link
Peace in Name only DAVID SCOTT MATHIESON explains why war and refugees will remain a fact of life in Burma’s borderlands as long as the causes of conflict are not addressed. Link
A State of Fear Caught in the crossfire of Burma’s civil war, hundreds of thousands of Karen, Karenni, Mon and Shan are trapped in No Man’s Land, reports SAW YAN NAING. Link
Homesick YENI finds that even after years of living on the Thai-Burmese border, most Karen refugees hope to return to Burma one day. Link
Blending In Unlike other ethnic minorities, the Shan are seldom recognized as refugees and must keep a low profile to survive in Thailand. KO HTWE reports. Link
A Fresh Start Resettlement programs offer tens of thousands of refugees the chance of a new life in the West, writes YENI. Link
Entangled in Red Tape The jobs are waiting for Burmese refugees in Thailand, but the road to them is full of obstacles. Link
MMC is an active supporter of these camps along the Thai-Burma border. To view our project page click here.
Misako Piper accompanied by Hiroko Fisher
