Breakfast supports Somalian children
When Judy Wiltshire and her husband Rob read an email from Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) about a staff porridge breakfast event raising funds to support Somalia through the 18:1 Appeal, they were inspired to do the same. Their congregation, Calvary Lutheran Church in Morphett Vale, hosted their own porridge breakfast in July, with each guest’s donation of $10 supporting a child in Somalia to receive a year of education, school uniform and materials, as well as a daily meal of nourishing fortified porridge. Additional donations also went towards the renovation of classrooms, support training for teachers, facilities for children with special needs, and dignity kits for girls.
Willing volunteers from Judy and Rob’s small group happily donated supplies and assisted on the morning of the breakfast, cooking porridge for the 32 guests, who had the option to add additional condiments, including honey, golden syrup, stewed and dried fruit, and chocolate chips, for a gold coin donation.
After enjoying their porridge, guests heard from ALWS guest speaker Julie Krause, who shared the work the organisation is doing in Somalia, a country that has suffered severe drought over several years and is particularly affected by climate change. Julie highlighted that girls in Somalia too often miss out on education, but the 18:1 Somalia Appeal is particularly focused on giving opportunities to girls who often suffer the horror of female genital mutilation and may be married off before the age of 18.
The event raised over $500, which was presented to Julie on the day. A further $30 received on the Sunday was also forwarded to the 18:1 Somalia Appeal, and $1000 from the congregation’s Caring Place op shop was also donated.
‘It was a lovely morning of great fellowship, where love came to life,’ says Judy.
Pictured above: Volunteers manning the porridge pot; attendees hear from ALWS’s Julie Krause. Photos courtesy Judy Wiltshire.
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