Eight Year 11 students, Laura Mattiske, Monica Hoswell, Tyler Nute, Heidi Larkings, Mitchell Gascoigne, Jackson Goonrey, Mitch Rubie and Jackson Burton, were chosen to experience a range of Marist services in Western Sydney.

Focusing on the Marist theme for 2017, ‘Awaken’, students were immersed in three days of eye-opening activities and experiences and discovered the possibilities of helping those brothers and sisters who may experience marginalisation.

Year 11 student Heidi Larkings said the Marist Awareness Experience was better than she could have possibly imagined.

“It confronted me with the lives of those less fortunate than us, only making me more grateful for the life I live and also inspiring me to want to help people with similar backgrounds to those who I met with the goal of improving their futures,” she said.

In their first activity at St Gregory's College Campbelltown, students were organised into two ‘My Kitchen Rules’ groups, and given the task of each cooking a meal for a group of 15-20 within a budget of $50, for the Marist Youth Ministry (MYM) Team.

The second day involved connecting with Marist 180 to experience how Marists assist disadvantaged people in the Western Sydney area.

Four Unaccompanied Minors (UAM) from Iran and Yemen spent time with the students playing soccer, conversing and sharing international food.

Laura Mattiske said the Marist 180 centre was a highlight of her trip. 

“Learning about Marist 180’s work in the wider community and the programs they run for those who are disadvantaged was an eye opening experience and allowed me to begin to understand the issues that some people are struggling with,” she said.

The Red Bend students discovered how alike the Iran and Yemen guests were to them. 

“Meeting the unaccompanied minors was an incredible opportunity that gave me a new perspective on the refugee crisis in our world today,” Laura said.

“This trip has opened my eyes and allowed me to learn about and understand some of the challenges that others are facing today and what is being done to help these people.”

Another Year 11 student, Jackson Burton, said the experience changed his perspective on the political debate over the migration program and refugee intake. 

“Spending a day with the Unaccompanied Minors was another incredible opportunity that I will cherish forever,” he said.

“It touched me that these young people were so positive and friendly, despite the extremely poor circumstances they have endured to arrive in Australia.

 “Any stereotypical barriers I may have held prior to meeting them were broken down.”

The team travelled to the LaValla community and Baabayn kids holiday program on the last day of their Marist Awareness Experience, where Br Laurie and Br Noynoy explained how the new model of community of lay and religious living and working together was becoming more common throughout the world. 

More than 50 kids and parents from the local Mt Druitt area played games and shared a meal together, building relationships with Marists and each other.

“Visiting the Marist 180 organisation and being with the Marist Brothers working in the Baabayn Aboriginal community in Mt Druitt for me revealed that being a Marist extends beyond identifying issues in our society,” Jackson said. 

“It encompasses leadership by example and being actively involved to initiate change. 

“This experience has made me realise how fortunate I am to be in a Marist school. I hope that in the future I will be able to share the power of education with those around me.”

Monica Hoswell believes the experience gave her an invaluable insight into issues faced in society and how Marists can and do help.

“I went into the Marist Youth Awareness program knowing it would affect me however, in reflection, I could not fathom how eye-opening the experience would be,” she said.

“I found speaking to Marist Youth Ministry, Marist 180 and Baabayn groups to be inspirational, powerful and a wonderful opportunity. 

“These groups were established to help with issues that, until now, I had not realised the enormity of and had at times overlooked.”

“Each group sends a profound message of service, as is the way of Marists,” she said.

Red Bend Design and Technology teacher Clare Wilson accompanied the students on their immersion experience and said the three-day program positively affected her in many ways. 

“I can honestly say that this immersion has changed my outlook on life and how I approach and respond to difficult situations,” Ms Wilson said.

“For instance, when dealing with a student that I can see is having a difficult time and being disruptive, I approach the student in a calm manner, gaining their side of a story first before I give warnings or a stern taking too.

“This is because I now believe that every individual has a story and no matter what situation they are in, people deserve to speak and share their feelings.”

She said the experience has also shaped how she looks and understand issues within society.

“The government’s approach on refugees and boat people can be seen as so cruel when you have met someone who is actually in that situation.

“Spending time with the young asylum seekers you can see they have so much love and life in them and they are ever so happy to be a part of our culture and life as we live it,” Ms Wilson said. 

“They are open to any opportunity that comes their way and I can clearly see that they are so grateful for everything that their support workers do for them.

“It would be so beneficial for our society if we educated ourselves and learned about other people’s situations and why they are the people they are today.”