Caritas Challenge 2023
In 2023 our focus country for the Caritas Challenge was Fiji. We are thrilled to recognize the incredible efforts of young people across Aotearoa who took part in events challenging them to Move It, Live It, Sweat It, or Stop It for up to 24 hours. Their actions demonstrate solidarity with those facing poverty and injustice, all while raising vital funds to support Caritas programmes.
During 2023, participating groups embraced the Caritas Challenge throughout the year, from February to December 2023. We're excited to share that, with the help of matched funding, these enthusiastic participants raised close to $200,000! This outstanding effort directly supports our local partners in Fiji. What an awesome achievement — thank you to everyone who contributed to making a positive impact on communities in need!
Caritas Challenge 2022
The theme of the Caritas Challenge in 2022 came from the event’s slogan, ‘One day of difference for a lifetime of change’. The theme was a wonderful way for us to stand in solidarity with those less fortunate as we all began to emerge from the pandemic. A key idea was that we can all do small acts with great love in order to make the world a better place. Schools across New Zealand took up the challenge and with matched funding from the New Zealand Aid Programme we raised more than $80,000.
2022 also saw Catholic Schools in New Zealand take up a challenge of a different nature. They responded with open hearts to their brothers and sisters in Tonga and Ukraine and raised funds and awareness of the challenges and issues being faced by the people in these respective countries. Approximately $88,000 was raised!
Caritas Challenge 2021
In 2021, more than 8,000 young people got involved in the Caritas Challenge and with matched funding by the New Zealand Aid Programme, more than $100,000 was raised to support communities around the Pacific and South East Asia.
Caritas Challenge 2020
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic transformed our world. As a direct result of the lockdowns many of the planned Caritas Challenge events were postponed or cancelled. However, Caritas was overwhelmed by the support of New Zealanders to the pandemic response.
Young and old demonstrated great generosity and genuine care for those in need and more than $130,000 was raised through the Caritas Pandemic Appeal. These funds enabled Caritas partners to focus on prevention, preparedness and response through raising awareness and distributing life-saving supplies.
Caritas Challenge 2019
More than 12,500 keen participants took part in the Caritas Challenge in 2019 and raised much needed awareness for South Sudanese families who have been displaced as a result of conflict, famine and poverty. Standing together in solidarity, even from the other side of the world, these Caritas Challenge superstars did indeed bring a lifetime of change raising more than $60,000.
These funds have been used in camps throughout South Sudan for vulnerable families purchasing emergency food bags, temporary shelters, buckets, sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, seeds, tools for gardening and peace-making workshops.
Caritas Challenge 2018
The focus of the Caritas Challenge in 2018 was on Timor-Leste. Funds raised enabled Caritas to continue working with our partners Hamahon Feto Timor (HAFOTI), a women's livelihood organisation, to improve the well-being of rural Timorese women by supporting them to develop and make products for sale in seven districts in Timor-Leste.
As a direct result of the Challenge, new production centres were set up in selected areas to help improve the processing and retailing of local products. As well as this, ongoing training, marketing opportunities and revolving loans to rural women enabled them to generate income for their families.
Caritas Challenge 2017
Caritas Challenge efforts in 2017 helped support a nutrition programme in Kiribati. The programme focuses on training a group of local women and youth to become Health Champions who will promote nutrition and healthy lifestyles. Communities in South Tarawa will initially benefit from the health programme before it is expanded to include four outer islands in the future.
Funds raised also helped Caritas to continue working in Kiribati with other partners including the Diocese of Tarawa, the Catholic Women's Assiociation, Kiribati Catholic Youth and the Caritas Kiribati youth group to increase knowledge of nutrition, promote healthy eating and physical activity and build their organisation's capability and skills.
Caritas Challenge 2016
Our focus for the Caritas Challenge in 2016 was Cambodia, funds raised during the Challenge enabled us to continue working with our Cambodian partner, Development and Partnership in Action (DPA), to provide help and support to some of the poorest and most marginalised people in Cambodia - particularly indigenous people who are subsistence farmers.
Farmers have been helped to form cooperatives, been given equipment and ongoing training in order to help feed their families and generate an income.
Caritas Challenge 2015
In 2015 the focus of the Caritas Challenge was on the Philippines and how to Build Back Better following natural disasters which have caused widespread destruction in the country.
Your support has helped Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, in partnership with Caritas Philippines, to fund a five-year development programme in the Philippines that will build better resilience to natural disasters and climate change in dioceses around the country.
This programme helps the most vulnerable through the introduction of: sustainable agricultural practices; sustainable fishing methods; protection of land and waterways; and better preparation for disasters.
Caritas Challenge 2014
In 2014 the Caritas Challenge raised money for development work in the Solomon Islands and 6,000 young people took part in the challenge.
