Tasha Lapidge – Year 10

Our Visit to Newtown’s Asylum Seekers Centre

Last Wednesday together with fellow Year 10 students, Lenny Levy Vainer, Esther Reznikov and Eve Lemberg we went to the Asylum Seeker Centre in Newtown, with Rabbi Siegel. Esther and Lenny, with several other students, had previously been there with Rabbi Siegel, but Eve and I weren’t sure what to expect.

We were greeted by Danijela, who manages the fundraising side of the Centre. We carried at least 10 boxes inside which were filled to the top with food and toiletries that were collected by our Emanuel students and families as part of fulfilling the Purim Mitsvah of Matanot Le-Evyonim – providing for those in need. After unpacking the boxes, and shelving these much needed items which would soon be distributed, Danijela took us on a tour around the Centre.

She showed us an area where the asylum seekers can stay all day. We saw a volunteer teaching a woman some new things on a computer, which is one of the many things volunteers help with. There was a great area for kids to play in and a kitchen for everyone to use.

We were introduced to some of the workers who were very appreciative of our donations. Danijela then took us into the food bank which is where the food is distributed to the asylum seekers. Each person is given roughly one bag of food and toiletries a week.

They have doctors, psychologists and many more volunteer specialists who are available to all the asylum seekers completely for free. When Lenny and Esther went last time, they helped make and serve lunch to the asylum seekers, so it was great to learn more about the Centre this time.

The asylum seekers and workers at the Centre were very grateful for all the donations that we brought. It was really eye-opening to learn about people and a program and Centre about which I previously had little knowledge. Thank you Rabbi Siegel for taking us! We hope we can go again soon with even more donations.