Blog Archives

Latest Posts

Monthly

Categories

All Posts in Uncategorized

July 30, 2023 - No Comments!

“DO” Justice  

This month our “DO” Justice giveaway is in response to World Day Against Trafficking in Persons (WDATIP). July 30th, is set aside to raise awareness about the plight of human trafficking victims and to promote and protect their rights. 

So why are we giving away ZOE merch as an incentive to join our free, online course? 

We understand that learning how to “DO” Justice in the busyness of everyday life can be a bit overwhelming. Most people aren’t even sure where to start. 

We believe that education and awareness are the first steps needed. That’s why we encourage every staff member or person we come into contact with at events, schools, churches and in the community to learn more about the topic of human trafficking first. 

Human trafficking is a complex issue. Read more about how we see this year’s WDATIP theme "Reach every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind" impacting the situation in Australia. This post outlines what we’re learning as we try to dive into the problem here. 

“Doing” justice is about making sure that no victim of human trafficking is overlooked, ignored or left behind. Everyone should be protected, and provided with the support that they need to restore their dignity and help them rebuild their lives - especially children. 

It’s like the Maya Angelou quote, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” 

How can we “DO” justice surrounding child trafficking until we learn more about the issue first? The first step to preventing child trafficking is by building a community of people who are aware and educated. Doing justice is going to be an ongoing process that requires the efforts of all of us. Collaboration from individuals, communities, governments, and organisations is essential. 

In recognition of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023 everyone who signs up for our free online course in August will be entered into a competition to win a “DO Justice” pack. The pack includes a limited-edition ZOE hoodie, cap and string bag. 

It's the perfect time to learn more and demonstrate your passion to see child trafficking ended. And, by wearing ZOE merch, you will have more opportunities to engage others in conversation about the topic! 

Here's how you can participate:

  • Sign up for our free online course at https://courses.gozoe.org.au 

  • Once you've signed up, you'll automatically be entered into our competition for a chance to win one of our “Do Justice” packs. 

  • Spread the word! Share this competition with your friends and colleagues who may also be interested in joining our course. Every friend you tag on our socials, who also signs up, will earn you an additional entry into the competition, increasing your chances of winning.

Hurry, the competition ends on August 31st, so don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity for free merch and to learn more about ending child trafficking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Featured Image

May 20, 2021 - No Comments!

Spotlight: ZOE Volunteers

Did you know that every week in Australia, 17.5 million steel cans are recycled? That is enough to build 900 cars! (recyclingnearyou.com.au)

Going through the rubbish to find steel cans is not what many of us think of when we picture ways to stop child trafficking but one Aussie man cares so much about the kids at ZOE, and seeing slavery ended, that he even digs through dumpsters to find cans that he can exchange for cash to raise money to send to Thailand.

And as if recycling cans wasn’t noble enough, Tony and his wife Margaret have also organized dinner auctions, barbeques at local markets, sold glow sticks at festivals, and even sold their chicken’s eggs all to help ZOE’s work in preventing, rescuing, and restoring children’s lives.

His daughter Rachael has also given profits she made from selling property, donated thousands of dollars to ZOE, and visited the children’s home several times.

Whether it be cutting 20 kg of onions, selling eggs at their workplaces, or “dumpster diving” (as Tony calls it), this family sure knows how to use every opportunity they have to be an inspiration and make a difference in the world.

Thank you Tony, Margaret, and Rachael! The way you choose to live your lives and the sacrifices you make to help the kids at ZOE, motivates all of us to do more and think about ways that we can use our time, resources, and money to be a change in the world.

Featured Image

November 13, 2020 - No Comments!

A Christmas Like No Other

- Reclaiming LIFE

“This is the perfect time to do things differently and reclaim what might have been lost throughout 2020: generosity, joy, peace, certainty, hope, freedom and LIFE.” 

Each year, the additional expenses that creep in at Christmas time create pressure for many people. This ‘commercialised-pressure’ that squeezes already-tight family budgets, has been further intensified this year by the ongoing world-wide pandemic. 

Covid-19 has changed many aspects of our lives. We have had to adopt new habits, new priorities and new ways throughout the year, and these will undoubtedly influence how we respond during the Christmas season. 

While in previous years, festivities centred around social gatherings and bustling shopping streets, this year provides a chance for us to reflect and reclaim what Christmas is actually all about. 

Many people have shared that during isolation and lockdown, they developed an appetite to ‘do’ better and ‘be’ better this year. New hobbies and habits were formed and relationships were explored in different, and inventive ways. 

Shouldn’t we then also stop before Christmas comes and think about what’s been lost in the past, what’s really important now, and how our actions can influence others at this time of the year? 

Let’s open our hearts for what God wants to do new and fresh in our lives this Christmas, and throughout 2021. 

What would reclaiming Christmas look like for you?

Maybe, just like Mary and Joseph, it would mean remembering to trust in God especially when faced with unforeseen challenges. 

Maybe, like the shepherds, whose lives were transformed when they understood what Jesus’ birth meant - we could have that ripple effect on the people around us.

Maybe it could look like being generous by sharing God’s love with neighbours and our community.

Maybe it would mean taking time to pause and reflect on the miracle that is God-among-us. 

Maybe it means sharing the gift of ourselves with the lonely and those in our circle of family and friends who’d gain more from the gift of our ‘presence’ rather than an off-the-shelf present.

Maybe it’s about getting back to basics and celebrating the LIFE of Christ in a simple yet meaningful way.

As you look back on 2020 maybe you didn’t experience much joy. 

-You felt tired.

-You felt depressed.

-You experienced loss.

-You had personal tragedy and difficulties that filled you with grief and sorrow, frustration.

God looks at you.  He sees your life. You are valuable. You are worthy of Him sending his one and only son. God can give you strength, help, and victory in this season.

“This is the perfect time to do things differently and reclaim what might have been lost throughout 2020: generosity, joy, peace, certainty, hope, freedom and LIFE.” This will be a Christmas like no other as we unite to reclaim God’s dream for this world to experience His abundant (zoe) LIFE .