Students across the Cairns Diocese are ‘socking it’ to poverty this Socktober.
Students are pulling up their socks and digging deep for a good cause this October with 12 schools across the Cairns Diocese participating in Socktober, an initiative of Catholic Mission.
“Socktober is Catholic Mission’s new school’s engagement platform and invites schools to engage with mission encouraging a learning mind, an open heart and hands for action,” explains Anna Jimenez, Catholic Mission Director, Diocese of Cairns.
“Children experience how their brothers and sisters in Ghana play the game of soccer with a recycled ‘Sockball’, learn about life in Ghana and are moved to action. Socktober provides children with the opportunity to lead in mission by sharing their story of support with their family and friends, listening to the Pope’s call to ‘rise up from the couch with your boots laced, and turn your hands into signs of love’.”
While Anna has been moved by the faith-filled, missionary spirit of the students so far, one student’s passion caught her attention. Donovan Miller from Our Lady of the Sacred Heart School, Thursday Island filled Anna’s heart with joy when he shared his passion for mission.
“I am raising money with my school for children in developing countries,” tells Donovan.
“The reason why I am raising money for them is so that kids like me in these countries can have food and clean water. My fundraising goal is $200, which will provide over 70 children with nutritious food for one day.”
The students at St Augustine’s School, Mossman also participated in Socktober, making soccer balls and raising funds for Catholic Mission.
“Students made soccer balls out of recycled materials to gain an appreciation of how lucky we are in Australia. They also learned how young people in other countries may not have the money to afford sporting equipment, but everyone loves to play sport,” explains Principal Paul Rayner.
“Students and staff wore crazy socks, made a gold coin donation and played games of soccer at lunch time using the ‘sockballs’.”
To find out more about Socktober or to make a donation, go to the Socktober website.
