By Emma Sun
A BERWICK resident recently raised enough money to send two Indian girls from Gokunte, Karanataka, to university.
Judy Wardale, who runs charity organisation Sunshine Australia, sold Christmas cakes and jewellery during a White Ribbon Day luncheon hosted by the Casey Multi-faith Network recently.
“I’m stunned,” Ms Wardale said.
“Sales were massive, and it would not have been achieved without the generosity of so many people, especially in the Casey area.”
She made a profit of just over $400 that day.
It costs just $305 to send a girl in India to university for a year, and the remaining amount to send a second girl was donated by the Casey Multi-faith Network.
Ms Wardale said it was also due to the determination of parish priest Father Joseph that the result came to be.
“This has only been able to materialise because of the determination of Father Joseph, who convinced (the girls’) parents that this was a step forward for their daughters.”
She said there was a possibility that they will be able to send more girls to university by the end of the year, which will be fantastic for the community.
“It’s certainly going to be a great benefit to the next generation of children because there are too many children struggling to go to school and to be educated,” Ms Wardale said.
“This is going to break the cycle of illiteracy, which will also break the cycle of dependency.
“These two girls won’t make a huge difference to India, but they’ll make enormous difference to their families.”
For more information or to lend your support for the cause, visit www.gokuntesunshine.com or call 9707 3386.
