Connecting children across the world

The 81 students at Good News Lutheran College in Melbourne’s western suburbs come from a wide range of language, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including Buddhist, Hindi, Punjabi, Hindu and Gujarati.

So, when it comes to teaching the Christian Studies unit on ‘Love and Serve’, it was a great opportunity for the Grade 5 teachers to team up with Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) to model how Christians serve others.

Learning began with an ALWS Awareness Day, during which the Grade 5s explored what people in poor communities have to do to survive. They then learnt how important it is to listen to communities so we know what support we can give to help them thrive.

Inspired, students began an initiative called ‘What’s my business?’, in which they receive a $20 investment to build a business, then use the profits to help others. ALWS worked with teachers on the project, and the response has been exciting. Student Shresta says: ‘I used to think the only person I could learn from was my teacher. Now I know I can learn from my peers, too.’

Meanwhile, Grade 5 teacher Teagan Purser noted: ‘It was a great opportunity for students to work as a community, and support one another, knowing the big picture was in Christian love to serve those in our wider community around the world.’

That’s where ALWS Gifts of Grace comes in! The Grade 5s had a Market Day where they sold the products of their businesses. They achieved an amazing profit of $3305, which they used to buy Gifts of Grace – like water filters, vegetable seeds and farming equipment.

As a result, children in countries like Cambodia now have clean water, healthy food and the chance to go to school.

This gift of grace really is good news! Thank you!

Jonathan Krause is ALWS Community Action Manager.