On 16 November, communities around the world observe World Day of the Poor – a day that shines a light on the reality of poverty and calls us to act with compassion and solidarity.
In 2025, the Jubilee year, Pope Leo XIV’s message for the 9th World Day of the Poor centres on hope. He reminds us that poverty is not simply a statistic, but a lived experience that demands our attention, our empathy, and our commitment to walk with those who are struggling.
In Timor-Leste, just an hour’s flight from Australia, poverty is a daily reality for too many children. In one remote mountain village, 12-year-old Marcia dreams of becoming a teacher. Each morning, she sets off on the short walk to her school with excitement, ready to learn. Her favourite subject is Portuguese literacy, but she also loves art, dancing, singing, and playing with her friends.
Marcia already knows that education is her best chance of building a better life. She told us: “I want to go to school because when I grow up, I want to get a good job, help my parents build a better house and buy the food they need”.
But for children like Marcia, achieving that dream is far from easy. Many schools in Timor-Leste are under-resourced, with unsafe classrooms, little or no sanitation, and teachers who must manage multiple age groups without adequate training. Parents often struggle with low literacy themselves and cannot always support their children’s learning. As a result, too many children are left behind, denied the opportunity to reach their full potential.
This is where Mary MacKillop Today’s Inclusive Early Education (IEE) program makes a difference. Working in partnership with local communities, the program provides children with books and learning materials in their own language, equips teachers with skills and confidence, and raises awareness among parents about the importance of education. Importantly, the IEE program fosters inclusive classrooms where every child feels welcome and supported, regardless of gender or disability.
Our work is guided by the principle of Reaching the Margins. Following the example of Saint Mary MacKillop and the Sisters of Saint Joseph — who more than 150 years ago travelled across rural and remote Australia to teach children who would otherwise miss out — we seek out the places where the need is greatest. Today, this means working alongside communities in Timor-Leste, Fiji, Peru, and here in Australia to ensure that no one is left behind.
Pope Leo XIV reminds us that the poor are not an afterthought in our concern — they are at the very heart of our shared humanity. The World Day of the Poor challenges us to see their struggles, but also their resilience, their hope, and their dreams for a better future.
Marcia’s determination to become a teacher is just one example of that hope in action. With the right support, children like her can flourish, break the cycle of disadvantage, and help transform their communities.
This World Day of the Poor, we invite you to walk alongside us in continuing Saint Mary MacKillop’s legacy. Together, we can reach the margins, nurture dignity, and create opportunities so that every child has the chance to thrive.
Join us in making a difference today: www.marymackilloptoday.org.au/donate
Francesca Cinelli
Mary MacKillop Today