Why I'm Walking: Lisa Angwin, Lutheran teacher, SA

"This time last year I had the privilege and life-changing experience of walking alongside refugees

Lisa with Jamali from Djibouti, who inspired
her to take part in Walk My Way.

living in refugee camps in Djibouti. 

While walking alongside men, women and children and being welcomed into their homes, I was moved not only by their warm hearts and welcoming spirits, but by their daily determination to survive and not lose hope. 

Education was the focus of our visit and the emotion displayed, when they spoke of how important it was for them to see their children get an education, was inspiring.

As a Lutheran teacher here in Australia working with children on a daily basis, I see it as a privilege to be in a position to make a difference in many lives. My goal each day is to build compassion, understanding and love in the hearts of others so that as a nation we may one day be more welcoming to the strangers across the seas.

One little 6 year old boy in particular will be in my heart on July 4th.

His name is Jamali and he has a skin disorder that itches all day and all night. He has suffered from this since the age of one. 

It hurt his body so much to wear clothing and shoes that he couldn’t attend school, as he couldn’t attend if not clothed. 

And yet on the last day as we said our farewells, I will forever remember looking up to see him running towards me fully clothed and wearing shoes just so that he could come to the school hall for a hug and to say goodbye. 

These people welcomed me, changed my life and took hold of a special place in my heart - and that is why I am walking!"

- Lisa Angwin, Lutheran teacher, South Australia

Thank you for sharing, Lisa! If you'd like to sponsor Lisa for Walk My Way, simply click here. 

One Step

One step

Followed by another
And another and another
And...ad infinitum.
How many steps
Make up this journey?
Or is it a pilgrimage,
Discovery, hopeful walk
Into a new life?

One step
Is what it took
To leave a situation
Which is indescribable
But that one step
Removed me from
What I remember and regret
Until new life beckoned
In a strange place.

One step
Followed by another
Is what we'll walk today
Will we tire? Will we thirst?
Will one step more
Be one step too many
Or in all our steps
Will we rejoice and remember
Those seeking new life?

(c) Peter Bean, June 2017

Why I'm Walking: Sue Tuffin, Year 5 teacher, Victoria

"I have been quite overwhelmed by the support I've received for the Walk My Way endeavour.

I decided to do the walk in the last school holidays when I was writing and planning the Year 5&6 Christian Studies units for this term. We like to use the ALWS material for our CS lessons during the term that we have Vicki (Gollasch from ALWS) visit for Awareness Day.

This year we also held a Market Day where students set up stalls and sold goods or services to our school community as a fundraiser.

Everyone has been so generous and supportive.

It's funny that my original fundraising target was $260 and now donations have reached over $1700! 

That's over 65 refugee kids! A HUGE thank you to everyone who has sponsored me.

I've also planned a couple of little extra things for my walk.

Firstly, I'm going to carry 6 litres of water on my back as a way of understanding what many women and girls have to do on a daily basis as they are usually the ones who collect the water.

I have also recruited my daughter Samantha who is a young teacher at the Lutheran school in Mildura to participate and also a dear friend of ours from Adelaide. The walk will unite us for a day as we don't get to see each other very often and this will be a lovely, shared memory."

- Sue Tuffin, Year 5 teacher at Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School, Victoria

Thank you, Sue! To sponsor Sue or another Walker, and help even MORE refugee kids go to school, click here.