Mr Dube, from Zimbabwe, is part of Caritas Australia’s Project Compassion Speaker Program which aims to raise awareness among Australians of the reality of global poverty.
St Augustine’s started their Easter drive a fortnight ago to raise money for Project Compassion development projects run by Caritas.
Mr Dube is the coordinator for Caritas Hwange, a district where over 360,000 people live. Poor rainfall, higher than expected average temperatures and a lack of fertile soil often result in food shortages.
Another big challenge is lack of clean water and access to sanitation.
The program Mr Dube coordinates works to increase the income of families by improving food security through the establishment of irrigation schemes, vegetable gardens and by providing training to farmers as well as internal saving and lending groups.
Passionate about development work, Mr Dube told students he draws satisfaction from the contribution he has been able to make in his community.
‘‘Mine is a job with meaning that aligns with my values. For the past 16 years working for Caritas Hwange, I believe I have contributed to changing the lives of many in the community,’’ he said.
A special focus during this year’s Project Compassion appeal is on the consequences of the current global water crisis and the response of Caritas Australia.
Some 700 million people — that’s one in 10 people on Earth — lack access to clean water, and 2.3 billion people — a third of the global population — have no basic sanitation.
Last year Project Compassion raised $11 million nationally, including half a million from North and North East Victoria.
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