Latest news with #Compassion

Sydney Morning Herald
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
This year's Miles Franklin shortlist features an Australian first
A first of its kind novel in Australian publishing has made the shortlist for this year's Miles Franklin award, along with two first-time nominees, two previously shortlisted authors and two-time winner Michelle de Kretser. Winnie Dunn's debut Dirt Poor Islanders, which draws on her own experiences of growing up as Tongan-Australian, has been nominated for the prestigious award, along with Chinese Postman by Brian Castro; Compassion by Burruberongal author Julie Janson; Ghost Cities by Siang Lu; Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser and Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane. The shortlist, the judging panel said, celebrated writing that refuses to compromise. 'Each of these works vitalises the form of the novel and invents new languages for the Australian experience,' they said in a statement. The subjects across the shortlist also reflect the breadth of the Australian experiences. Castro's Chinese Postman is about an elderly Chinese migrant reflecting on his life; Theory & Practice by de Kretser is set in the academic scene in the 1980s; Lu's Ghost Cities blends current-day Sydney and Chinese mythology; Compassion is a fictionalised account of one of Indigenous author Janson's ancestors, and the short stories in McFarlane's Highway 13 are loosely pegged to a serial killer based on Ivan Milat. Dunn's debut Dirt Poor Islanders is the first Tongan-Australian novel published in Australia. She was 'very shocked' to have been nominated, she said. 'I'm still … reeling from it! It's amazing and I feel really lucky.' Dunn, who grew up in western Sydney's Mount Druitt, challenges reductive and popular racist representations of the Tongan-Australian community in her novel, the judges said. ' Dirt Poor Islanders is a tender and arresting story of a young protagonist … whose life in Western Sydney is framed by her experience as a Tongan Australian,' the panel said. The 29-year-old had always wanted to be a writer, and after university, honed her skills at Sydney's Sweatshop Literacy Movement in Sydney, an organisation that provides research, training and mentoring for emerging and established writers from Indigenous and non-English-speaking backgrounds, where she is now general manager.

The Age
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
This year's Miles Franklin shortlist features an Australian first
A first of its kind novel in Australian publishing has made the shortlist for this year's Miles Franklin award, along with two first-time nominees, two previously shortlisted authors and two-time winner Michelle de Kretser. Winnie Dunn's debut Dirt Poor Islanders, which draws on her own experiences of growing up as Tongan-Australian, has been nominated for the prestigious award, along with Chinese Postman by Brian Castro; Compassion by Burruberongal author Julie Janson; Ghost Cities by Siang Lu; Theory & Practice by Michelle de Kretser and Highway 13 by Fiona McFarlane. The shortlist, the judging panel said, celebrated writing that refuses to compromise. 'Each of these works vitalises the form of the novel and invents new languages for the Australian experience,' they said in a statement. The subjects across the shortlist also reflect the breadth of the Australian experiences. Castro's Chinese Postman is about an elderly Chinese migrant reflecting on his life; Theory & Practice by de Kretser is set in the academic scene in the 1980s; Lu's Ghost Cities blends current-day Sydney and Chinese mythology; Compassion is a fictionalised account of one of Indigenous author Janson's ancestors, and the short stories in McFarlane's Highway 13 are loosely pegged to a serial killer based on Ivan Milat. Dunn's debut Dirt Poor Islanders is the first Tongan-Australian novel published in Australia. She was 'very shocked' to have been nominated, she said. 'I'm still … reeling from it! It's amazing and I feel really lucky.' Dunn, who grew up in western Sydney's Mount Druitt, challenges reductive and popular racist representations of the Tongan-Australian community in her novel, the judges said. ' Dirt Poor Islanders is a tender and arresting story of a young protagonist … whose life in Western Sydney is framed by her experience as a Tongan Australian,' the panel said. The 29-year-old had always wanted to be a writer, and after university, honed her skills at Sydney's Sweatshop Literacy Movement in Sydney, an organisation that provides research, training and mentoring for emerging and established writers from Indigenous and non-English-speaking backgrounds, where she is now general manager.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Charities to receive £75,000 grants to support domestic abuse victims
Two Suffolk charities supporting victims of domestic abuse have been awarded £75,000 grants. Compassion and Alumah CIOs are the charities that will receive the funding from Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales. The money will be disbursed over the next three years and will include additional development support. Tony Howard, trustee of Compassion, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to have secured this vital £75,000 grant from Lloyds Bank Foundation. "This specialist funding will enable us to continue to work with some of those in our community who are facing some of life's toughest challenges. "With this support, we can strengthen our services, grow our impact across the East of England, and ensure that no one has to face the misery of domestic abuse alone. "We're so grateful to Lloyds Bank Foundation for believing in the power of grassroots organisations to bring real change." Helen Lang, regional manager for East of England at Lloyds Bank Foundation, said: "We're incredibly proud to support these specialist charities. "Each is an important part of its local community and provides life-changing support to people facing the most complex challenges. "Their knowledge, dedication, and connection to the people they support make them vital to building stronger, more resilient communities." Matt Hyde, CEO of Lloyds Bank Foundation, said: "Community organisations addressing very complex issues are often able to make an impact where others can't, due to their size, locality and deep understanding. "Unrestricted funding, over a longer period, enables these charities to provide not just emergency help but also continue to walk alongside people going through some of life's toughest challenges— whether it's fleeing domestic abuse, leaving care, or rebuilding life after prison." The grants are unrestricted, allowing community organisations to use the funds as needed, including for salaries, rent, and utilities. For more information, visit

Associated Press
16-06-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Compassion International Joins Africa in Commemorating Day of the African Child (DAC) 2025
Observed across the continent, DAC honors the rights, dignity and wellbeing of Africa's children Colorado Springs, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - June 16, 2025) - Compassion International, a leading child development organization, proudly joins the African continent in commemorating the Day of the African Child (DAC) on June 16, 2025. This year's theme, 'Planning and Budgeting for Children's Rights: Progress Since 2010,' underscores the importance of intentional investment in the protection and development of Africa's children. The Day of the African Child, observed annually on June 16, honors the rights and dignity of children across the continent. It serves as a moment to reflect on the progress made in advancing children's rights and to confront the persistent challenges they face. Spearheaded by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), DAC 2025 invites governments, organizations, and communities to evaluate and strengthen their efforts to uphold children's rights through effective planning and budgeting. At the heart of Compassion International's mission is a steadfast belief that every child must be known, loved, and protected. This commitment aligns powerfully with the 2025 DAC theme. Through its child development programs, Compassion supports over 2.2 million children globally. In Africa, Compassion International currently operates in ten countries, partnering with local churches to serve nearly one million children. Together, we are committed to releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name by nurturing their holistic development and safeguarding their dignity. 'By participating in DAC 2025, Compassion International reaffirms that child protection is not merely a programmatic goal-it is a fundamental right for every child. The organization stands in solidarity with African governments, civil society, and communities in calling for sustained, strategic investment in the future of Africa's children.' Says Palamanga Ouali, Vice President of Africa Region at Compassion International. Compassion's work directly supports the DAC 2025 vision by: 'My dream for Burkina Faso children is for them to reach their full potential. I want to see that our rights are respected, and our voices are heard in decision making.' - Djamila, 10-year-old program participant from Centre-East Burkina Faso. In collaboration with our frontline church partners Compassion International has organized a range of activities including radio and TV talk shows, community dialogues, presentation of children's position papers to authorities, youth budget forums, participation in DAC 2025 commemoration event, art and poster exhibitions and child seminars among other events. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Children participate in a past Day of the African Child celebrations in Kenya To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: For more information about the Day of the African Child 2025, please visit About Compassion International Compassion International is a Christian child development organization dedicated to releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Founded in 1952, Compassion partners with more than 8,500 local churches in 29 program countries to deliver spiritual, economic, social, and physical care to over two million babies, children, and young adults in poverty. Ranked No. 12 in Forbes' America's Top Charities List in 2024, Compassion is a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. For more information, visit or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok. Media Contact: Daniel Kamau [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit


Globe and Mail
16-06-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
Compassion International Joins Africa in Commemorating Day of the African Child (DAC) 2025
Observed across the continent, DAC honors the rights, dignity and wellbeing of Africa's children Colorado Springs, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - June 16, 2025) - Compassion International, a leading child development organization, proudly joins the African continent in commemorating the Day of the African Child (DAC) on June 16, 2025. This year's theme, "Planning and Budgeting for Children's Rights: Progress Since 2010," underscores the importance of intentional investment in the protection and development of Africa's children. The Day of the African Child, observed annually on June 16, honors the rights and dignity of children across the continent. It serves as a moment to reflect on the progress made in advancing children's rights and to confront the persistent challenges they face. Spearheaded by the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), DAC 2025 invites governments, organizations, and communities to evaluate and strengthen their efforts to uphold children's rights through effective planning and budgeting. At the heart of Compassion International's mission is a steadfast belief that every child must be known, loved, and protected. This commitment aligns powerfully with the 2025 DAC theme. Through its child development programs, Compassion supports over 2.2 million children globally. In Africa, Compassion International currently operates in ten countries, partnering with local churches to serve nearly one million children. Together, we are committed to releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name by nurturing their holistic development and safeguarding their dignity. " By participating in DAC 2025, Compassion International reaffirms that child protection is not merely a programmatic goal-it is a fundamental right for every child. The organization stands in solidarity with African governments, civil society, and communities in calling for sustained, strategic investment in the future of Africa's children." Says Palamanga Ouali, Vice President of Africa Region at Compassion International. Compassion's work directly supports the DAC 2025 vision by: Developing children holistically by nurturing their minds, bodies, and spirits. Prioritizing child protection -empowering children to recognize and report abuse, training caregivers and church partners, enforcing a global Code of Conduct, and safeguarding personal data. Ensuring financial integrity by maintaining transparency through regular audits and responsible fund allocation to maximize program impact. "My dream for Burkina Faso children is for them to reach their full potential. I want to see that our rights are respected, and our voices are heard in decision making." - Djamila, 10-year-old program participant from Centre-East Burkina Faso. In collaboration with our frontline church partners Compassion International has organized a range of activities including radio and TV talk shows, community dialogues, presentation of children's position papers to authorities, youth budget forums, participation in DAC 2025 commemoration event, art and poster exhibitions and child seminars among other events. Children participate in a past Day of the African Child celebrations in Kenya To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: For more information about the Day of the African Child 2025, please visit About Compassion International Compassion International is a Christian child development organization dedicated to releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name. Founded in 1952, Compassion partners with more than 8,500 local churches in 29 program countries to deliver spiritual, economic, social, and physical care to over two million babies, children, and young adults in poverty. Ranked No. 12 in Forbes' America's Top Charities List in 2024, Compassion is a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. For more information, visit or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and TikTok.