From our CEO

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Without a doubt, the highlight of my first ten weeks at Hagar Australia has been getting to know some of the remarkable people who make up the Hagar community.
 
From the outset, it was clear that Hagar has some really impressive staff. Their areas of expertise are diverse – from fundraising to social work; and from primary education to the law. Yet, one thing unites them: a passionate commitment to see broken lives restored. 
 
Because we operate so leanly, much of what Hagar does relies on volunteers. These generous individuals - like Natalie Durkin, who tells of her experience working on Cocktails for a Cause below - bring enormous energy and a broad range of skills to help advance Hagar’s mission.   
 
Our experienced Board is comprised entirely of volunteers and I would particularly like to thank the wonderful Susie Condron for stepping in to lead Hagar Australia over summer, and for her ongoing contribution to Hagar on so many levels.   
 
It was fantastic to meet many of our supporters at Cocktails for a Cause. Without your generous support for Hagar’s work, none of what we do would be possible. Thank you.
 
I have also enjoyed getting to know some of our corporate partners, such as Corrs Chambers Westgarth, who have kindly hosted me at a number of events to share about Hagar’s work with their clients and staff.
 
Perhaps most inspirational of all was the opportunity to meet some of the survivors of trafficking, slavery and abuse who, with the support of Hagar, are rebuilding their lives in the wake of severe trauma. 

While most of us have not experienced the same kind of trauma as they have, these survivors - each on a unique journey to healing and wholeness - reminded me that we are all on a journey of our own. In a world full of distractions and injustices, our challenge is to focus on the things that really matter and where we can make the most difference. 

I was also reminded that, regardless of where you are in the world, every class has a cheeky character! (See if you can find the character at Hagar’s Community Learning Centre in the image below. Let’s hope the Principal doesn’t see this!)

Jo Pride
Chief Executive Officer

The first Human Rights Tour for 2016 feels just like yesterday. Perhaps that is because of the enduring impact it leaves on all who travel to Phnom Penh to experience Hagar’s work first-hand. 
 
Fifteen diverse supporters from lawyers and digital media experts to social enterprise mavericks immersed themselves in all things Hagar for three jam-packed days. A visit to the Killing Fields and hearing from senior Australian Embassy officials and an investigating judge in the Khmer Rouge trials helped participants understand the context of Hagar's work in Cambodia.

Meeting Hagar's local staff, the resilient students and dedicated teaching staff at the Community Learning Centre, and the loving foster families caring for our clients, highlighted the life-changing impact of Hagar's work.
 
The tour reminded all who attended that the road these brave survivors walk to recovery is not always straight and smooth. Hagar is there for the whole journey and will do what ever it takes for as long as it takes to restore a broken life.
 
Now that we are all back home and have slipped into our comfortable lives its important to not forget what we heard and saw. The needs are large. Our incredible staff on the ground in Cambodia cannot do what they do without the generous support of Hagar's supporters in Australia. Fifteen of those supporters have clearly emerged from this experience even more committed to helping make a difference.

Mel Connell 
Partnership Manager
 

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In 2015, a friend invited me to 'Lunch to Liberate', where I was introduced to Hagar and its work to combat human trafficking.  
 
There, I listened to the moving story of a young woman, who shared her personal experience of sexual violence while living in her village in Cambodia; and whose life had been restored through services provided by Hagar. I understood then, the vital work that Hagar does, case by case.
 
I knew that I could help Hagar in a practical way. Over summer, I joined its passionate event committee of volunteers, to help bring "Cocktails for a Cause" to life. 
 
Throwing a party is always exciting, especially if it's for a good cause. Collectively, we reached out to our networks. The event attracted new and existing supporters, and received generous donations of goods and services that made the night a huge success. $60,000 was raised for Hagar's programs in Afghanistan.
 
Volunteering on this project became my labour of love. It is deeply satisfying to know that our efforts have translated into services that provide hope to women and children who have survived unimaginable cruelty and abuse.
 
Natalie Durkin
Cocktails for a Cause Volunteer