PARA MARCIA
Para Marcia is a Non-Government Organisation that is passionate about transforming the lives of the Timorese people and their Nation. Caring and supporting where we're called.Para Marcia - "For Marcia" - The Story
We would like to share with you a short story of how our charity, ‘Para Marcia’, began.
This photo is of ‘Baby Marcia’. Baby Marcia was born in a remote village in Timor-Leste in 2014. Baby Marcia & her parents were transported by ambulance to the closest hospital because baby Marcia was having difficulty breathing.
Baby Marcia was lying on her mother’s bed when we first set eyes on this dear baby girl. Marcia was breathing fast (tachypnoea), and sweating profusely in the humid conditions. Very soon after observing Marcia, we brought our concerns about Marcia’s condition to the attention of staff, but quickly, as the crucial intervention period passed by, it became very apparent that the hospital desperately lacked the resources and staff training needed to care for, recognise and respond adequately to this very ill baby girl. As we were only visitors to the hospital, we were in a difficult position to intervene further in Marcia’s care.
Baby Marcia sadly died before 24 hours of life. Not because of anyone’s individual fault, but because precious Marcia, similar to many other infants in Timor-Leste & worldwide, are born in or brought to medical care facilities that still lack basic life-saving medical resources and skilled health care professionals to provide the care that is needed.
Marcia died late in the evening on the same day that she was born. Had Marcia been brought into one of Australia’s, or other developed nation’s hospitals, she may have survived.
As we reflected on this very sad situation that we had observed on the day that we had the privilege of meeting precious little Marcia, for just those few hours, our hearts were moved and the word, ‘Charity’ came to mind.
The following year, after sharing the story of baby Marcia with a friend in Brisbane, and other stories of people’s ongoing struggles in Timor, we began to discuss and plan the establishment of our own charity to help Timor on a larger scale.
We decided to name our charity after baby Marcia and in dedication to Marcia, who died needlessly because of a lack of essential life-saving resources in her country of birth.
PARNTERSHIP
Para Marcia became a financial partner of Casa Vida in January 2025. Your support of Para Marcia is helping us to partner with Casa Vida to continue to do the vital work of providing a safe home and environment for female victims of sexual abuse. Where they can heal and start a new life, overcoming past trauma and moving forward confidently with their lives.
CASA VIDA (Timor Leste) opened in 2008 and has welcomed over 800 children who have suffered abuse or are at risk of abuse. This includes over 100 young pregnant girls. Some of these children have been able to return home to a safe environment. Others stay long-term for further support and training, or until relocation to an alternative safe place is possible, as it remains too dangerous for them to return home.
Casa Vida provides specialised assistance for children between 0 and 18 years of age, who have experienced abuse or are at risk of neglect or abuse, and who have been referred by the Ministry of Social Solidarity or other similar government bodies. At Casa Vida the children find love and care, counselling and time for healing, medical attention, care during pregnancy and childbirth, support and training to care for their baby, and the opportunity to go to school or university, do vocational training and find employment. Children and young women receive support to continue their education—from primary school to senior high school—helping them to build greater opportunities and a more secure future.
OUR VISION
To promote the right to life, protection and citizenship as guaranteed by the Constitution of Timor Leste and the UN’s “Convention on the Rights of the Child.
OUR MISSION
To provide children at risk of abuse a place of security where they can receive care for their physical, mental, social and spiritual needs; facilitating their return in complete health/wellness, to families and communities with a restored self-confidence and self-esteem.
Para Marcia’s Partner:
Support us here:
Donations to Para Marcia are tax-deductible in Australia. If you would like to support the Community Aid work of Para Marcia in Timor or gift toward shipping, your donation can be deposited into our Australian ANZ business bank account:
BSB: 012800
Account: 294 390 576
International &/or Credit Card Donations with
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