2020 saw Palms again increase the number of assignments being filled, with 23 Australians sharing their skills across 16 partnerships.  By mid-March all but seven had been repatriated.  The seven remained in COVID free countries or locations with low community transmission until year’s end.  Four will stay on into 2021.  Others continued to mentor counterparts on-line from home.

Thailand

[Klothor Public School; ACU Refugee Program, Mae Sot; St Joseph’s College, Mae Ramat]

Creating opportunities for refugees and ethnic minorities on the Thai/Myanmar border through:

  • Mentoring of Thai and Karen English teachers in preparation and delivery of English classes.
  • Development of language and academic skills for Australian Catholic University Liberal Studies students.

Republic of Kiribati

[Immaculate Heart College, Taborio & St Joseph’s College, Abaiang]

Improved educational access and quality for rural and remote students on the outer islands through:

  • Establishment and mentoring of a leadership team in administration, behavioural management, student pastoral care and policy compliant with government standards.
  • The mentoring of local teachers in Secondary English and Mathematics.
  • Introduction of comprehensive techniques for innovative lesson planning and preparation.

Samoa

[Don Bosco College & Vocational Technical Centre, Savai’i]

Improved capacity to provide access for rural and remote students on the island of Savai’i through:

  • Instituting courses in fundamentals for vocational trades and tourism applicable hospitality
  • Attaining accreditation of new courses with the Samoan Qualification Authority.

Papua New Guinea

[Archdiocese of Mount Hagen, Good Shepherd Seminary, Banz]

  • Enhanced quality of life through improved sanitation and water supply
  • Improved work practices for child protection; people with disabilities; gender equity and environmental management through organisational in-service workshops.
  • Improved academic writing skills increasing tertiary students’ performance outcomes.

South Africa

[Holy Family Care Centre, Ofcolaco]

  • Improved quality of service for staff and children by assisting with the review and development of procedures across the Care Centre
  • Developing children’s cooking skills and nutritional awareness
  • Engaging pre-school children in educational programs

Timor Leste

[Balibo Community Learning Centre, Balibo]

  • Oral health services with equitable access resulting in an overall 25% increase in usage.
  • Menstrual health program ambassadors trained for a locally driven program
  • Capacity of female management team developed for a self-reliant female advocacy hub.
  • Basic English competency for 25 children (8-12 years) in broader Balibo Community
  • Improved tourist communication through development of conversational English competency for Balibo Trails Tour Guides; Women’s Centre sewing group, Tais group, sales assistants and local market stall holders.

[Klibur Domin, Tibar]

  • Improved staff competency in Finance, HR, Administration and Support Services.
  • Skill development improving local worker approaches to therapy for children with disabilities
  • Improved approaches to Child & Vulnerable Persons training for Health Program Managers
  • Improved record keeping in community based rehabilitation

[Paroquia St Teresinha do Menino Jesus, Bedois]

  • Improved competency of teachers and parents in pedagogically appropriate educational activities for pre-school students
  • Advanced teacher self-reliance in the development of appropriate pre-school resources

[Holy Cross Parish, Maliana]

  • Enriched financial competency of staff and Finance Council
  • Stronger relationships between parish and external donor to aid sustainable development

Myanmar

[Catholic Diocese of Pathein]

  • Development of the English language program at St John’s Catholic School and English competency for staff at the Diocesan Socio-Pastoral Program
  • Improved community infrastructure and advanced sustainability of food gardens through permaculture strategies.

South Africa

[Holy Family Care Centre, Ofcolaco]

  • Development of an outreach program in collaboration with the local social worker to reunite children with families and develop appropriate support strategies
  • Increased competency of auxiliary nursing staff
  • Improved competency with grant application and reporting