Sister Joan Evans website update

A number of recent media articles have been added to Sister Joan's website.

Just click on the Sister Joan in the News link on Sister's website.

Photos from Foreign Minister Smith's meeting with Sister Joan

See - AusAid website - Minister Smith's meeting with Sister Joan.

Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs visit - Smith meets 'Slum Sister'

Reprinted from Daily Xpress:


Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith talks to Sister Joan Evans near her home in the Klong Toei slum last week. (Photo - DFAT)

Smith meets 'Slum Sister'

By Jim Pollard
Daily Xpress
Published on July 9, 2008

Australia's new foreign minister Stephen Smith had an unusual request for embassy officials organising his first trip to Thailand last week.

As well as meeting Surin Pitsuwan, who is set to take the reins at Asean, and his counterpart Noppadon Pattama, he wanted to see the Slum Sister.

It's not often that foreign dignitaries visit Klong Toei, Bangkok's biggest slum, down by the Chao Phya. But Smith was determined to meet the 76-year-old nun whose work with the poor has won her a small amount of fame in Perth, where both he and the nun hail from.

Sister Joan Evans has lived and worked in Klong Toei since 1992, helping to feed and educate slum dwellers and their children.

Smith was accompanied by Ambassador Bill Paterson, whose term in Bangkok ends today. Paterson, who is heading back to Canberra, has been a popular envoy. He's also a huge fan of the little Perth nun.

Smith's visit was a quick show of support and encouragement - much appreciated by the elderly nun, who receives regular donations from expatriates in Thailand, the embassy, plus supporters in West Australia.

House slipping into river

Asked how he could help, the Perth nun told the minister she's been struggling for years to get tax deductibility for Australians who donate to her work. That sounded achievable, but the second problem had Smith, who appeared to enjoy the visit, stumped. Literally.

"My home is slipping into the river," the nun said, with a grin.

"I see," said Smith, turning to his adviser. "See what we can find out about help for Sister's house, ah ... to stop it slipping into the river."

Her small shack - and some attached to it nearby - has developed a dangerous slant, and needs foundation support.

Xpress - Smith meets 'Slum Sister'

T-shirt Project - progress update

Another 20 t-shirts heading to Austria.

Thanks André for co-ordinating sales in Austria.

T-shirt Project - Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs receives t-shirts

Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith MP, was given two Sister Joan t-shirts as a thank you for his visit on 3 July to Sister Joan's house in Klong Toey.

Minister Smith proudly displays one of the Sister Joan t-shirts.

Minister Smith and Sister Joan

Thai-Australia Partnerships Provide Assistance to the Needy

Media release by Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Stephen Smith MP:

The Hon Stephen Smith MP
AUSTRALIAN MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Media release
4 July 2008

Thai-Australia Partnerships Provide Assistance to the Needy

I had the opportunity this week to visit two great examples of collaboration between the people of Thailand and Australia. Both underscore the strength and depth of bilateral relations between our two nations.

I visited Professor Praphan Phanuphak at the Thai-Australian Collaboration in HIV Nutrition (TACHIN) project. The Thai Red Cross AIDS Research Centre and the Sydney-based Albion Street Centre deliver the TACHIN project in partnership. The Institute of Nutrition at Mahidol University is a collaborating partner.

The TACHIN project aims to use improved nutrition to enhance the care of people living with HIV/AIDS. TACHIN is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) – $600,000 over three years – through the Australian HIV/AIDS Partnerships Initiative.

As HIV affects metabolism and increases the need for nutrients and energy, good nutrition is of paramount importance for those with HIV. Adults living with HIV have 10 to 30 per cent higher energy requirements than adults not affected. The energy requirements of HIV positive children are up to 100 per cent higher than otherwise healthy children.

I also visited the Mission of Sister Joan Evans, an outstanding Western Australian who has worked tirelessly and compassionately to improve the lives of underprivileged children and adults in the Klong Toei slum area of Bangkok since 1992.

Sister Joan, formerly a secondary school teacher, helps children from the slum receive a good education by providing uniforms, food and necessary funds. Sister Joan also supports new babies and mums, the elderly and the seriously ill.

The Australian expatriate community in Bangkok has been a longstanding supporter of Sister Joan’s projects. For example, in 2007-08 alone, the Australian-New Zealand Women’s Group (ANZWG) donated 100,000 baht (A$3,700) and raised a further 110,000 baht (A$4,070) through a “Pie Drive” project.

The Australian Embassy Bangkok made a 100,000 baht (A$3,700) contribution to help buy school uniforms for children in slum communities. The Australian Embassy Defence section arranged a “spare change” drive, raising 30,000 baht (A$1,110) for Sister Joan’s projects. In 2006, the Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce helped 45 kids visit a Safari Park.

See - Thai-Australia Partnerships Provide Assistance to the Needy.