Supporter Spring 2020
International students supported by SA communities
The international student population needs relief from the impacts of COVID-19. Many international students have lost their casual jobs due to the pandemic and, without access to JobSeeker or JobKeeper support payments, they are struggling to find enough money to pay the rent and buy essentials. A long way from home and family support networks, many also feel a sense of isolation and loneliness. AnglicareSA’s emergency assistance service at the city-based Magdalene Centre has been inundated with requests for help, with students lining up through the night in the hope of accessing help when the doors open in the morning. Unfortunately, the overwhelming demand meant that at times, hundreds of people were turned away. AnglicareSA has worked closely with governments, universities and other social service providers and together, we have cleared the backlog and provided emergency relief in the form of rent assistance, food packages and warm blankets to hundreds of international students. South Australian church communities have also responded by providing help of their own to international students and families in need.
The Anglican Church of Mount Gambier has been working with the Anglican Church of Mount Barker to collect food donations and distribute them to Indian, Nepalese and Sri Lankan families and international students. In early August, AnglicareSA assisted these church groups to distribute food donations to international students and families at St George’s Anglican Church Hall in Goodwood. Father Neil and his wife Nalini of Mt Gambier Anglican Parish, brought donations all the way from the Mount, including sacks of rice and canned food. They are pictured below on the day with Father Thomas from Mt Barker Anglican Parish, AnglicareSA’s Peter Sandeman and Father Scott from St George’s Goodwood.
We know this is only the beginning. These students will continue to struggle until they are able to find employment, and when JobSeeker and JobKeeper payments are reduced, many more people across the state will find themselves in financial crisis. AnglicareSA is in a strong position to provide support and we are preparing for a long and difficult road to recovery for our community. However, the load will be too large for governments and social services agencies to carry alone. We all must play our part as members of the community. Now is the time for neighbourly support and to offer whatever we can to help those amongst us who are struggling.
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