Joanna Lawson, Vietnam

Attached to the Sacred Heart College Year 11 immersion, Joanna Lawson, 28, went to Saigon for two weeks to teach English to the Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions. While she was there, she visited the various projects run by the order:

"One of the nuns, Sr Dominique, had set up a shelter for single mothers and pregnant girls who in Vietnam are treated like lepers. We heard from these girls how sometimes they were forced into prostitution because they were sold by their poor families. Some had boyfriends that dumped them when they got pregnant, and then were disowned by their families. But when they were sure that they were alone in the world, saddled with a stigma and a baby on the way, Sr Dominique took them in and showed them real love. She has saved many babies from abortion, and all the mothers there love their babies. Some are reconciled to their families. Some are battling on but want to make a better life for themselves and their new baby. Whatever it is, Sr Dominique has made this difference in her world. Just one person. Why not me?"

Joanna went to India to discover more about her ancestry and to deepen her awareness of the dynamics of poverty. She travelled for three months and spent much of her time volunteering with several religious ordes, including the Missionary Brothers of Charity.

"I was astounded by the geographic beauty of India, it really was a place that was stunning to behold. I was also taken aback by the amount of wealth held by some people over there, I have never seen mansions like there are in some parts of Mumbai. It's sad that there are people that are so rich but right outside their door are people crying out for food, respect and love, and they just get ignored. "The Indian people are warm and friendly though, especially to travellers."The Brothers and other missionaries are working to be the bridge for that gap. I hope and pray that Jesus strengthens them to carry on their work, and also that the Holy Spirit guides the lay people who have a missionary vocation to see that this kind of work is not only for Religious, and that they come and join in with the consecrated people. I think mission is for everyone, and for some people that means mission in the traditional sense of going out to be with the poor."

Joanna has since been involved in starting her own project for the poor in India.