Early intervention

The Loreto Sisters work directly in, and together with their wider network, provide funding for early intervention services that deliver support and development programs for families with children aged up to 12 years. This work is made possible with the placement of sisters in positions of responsibility within welfare services as well as through funding of projects via Mary Ward International Australia.

Our work with CentaCare Wilcannia-Forbes

Margaret Mary Flynn ibvm* began her 15 years service at CentaCare Wilcannia-Forbes, the largest and poorest diocese in NSW, in 1996, and is a vigorous champion of the rights of women and indigenous communities.  In 2010 Margaret Mary was awarded a 2010 Telstra NSW Business Women’s Award, winning the "White Pages Community and Government Award".

CentaCare under the direction of Margaret Mary, built up a broad range of early childhood services across western NSW, supporting the greatest developmental opportunities for children 0 – 12 years. Services include home visiting, playgroups, activities for fathers and their children, schooling for teenage mothers, and parenting programs with input from early childhood specialists.  It is hoped these development services will continue to flourish.

One of these programs is the MWIA funded Strong Young Mums (SYM) Program.

The SYM program was developed in Bourke in response to the large number of teenage mothers in the community who drop out of school after learning they are pregnant. Up to 40 per cent of all babies delivered in Bourke are born to mothers aged 12-19 years.

Some of the childhood services provided include playgroup sessions, weekly maternal and child health care visits, well-being checks and referrals to support services.

As a result 85% of women have displayed increased positive interaction with their child(ren) and 35% have engaged with early childhood services outside the SYM program such as play groups, family daycare and preschool. The Loreto Sisters continue to support this vital program through Mary Ward International Australia (MWIA).

Early childhood services in Timor Leste
and Nepal
 

The Loreto Sisters are involved in funding and supporting early childhood services in Timor Leste. Early childhood development is a priority in Timor Leste with 35 per cent of the population aged under 14.

With the help of MWIA , Australian Loreto Sister, Diaan Stuart ibvm, set up the Champagnat Crèche for the children of trainee teachers and staff of the Marist Teachers Training College in Baucau.

The crèche has provided important play and developmental learning opportunities for the children in one of few crèches in Timor Leste. It has given the staff access to education and employment with the reassurance their children are in quality care.

A community in the remote village of Lari-Sula has asked for help with its creche and so another link has been forged with the Loreto Sisters in  Baucau.


MWIA funds projects in Nepal that provide childcare for children of low-income families and labourers.

This benefits both the children and the families who are able to work as their children are looked after. Maternal and child health care services are also funded. 



 

Photos from top:

Strong Young Mums participants
Diaan Stuart (ibvm) at the creche in Baucau, Timor Leste
Janet Palafox ibvm (far right) at a childcare centre Nepal

Find out more about MWIA projects