Attendees engaged in packing the hampers while listening to the impactful stories, building bridges of understanding. Photo: Kim Chong
On Friday 28 November 2025, a small but dedicated group gathered to assemble hampers of essential items like rice, lentils and hygiene products generously donated by the parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes, Seven Hills, and Good Shepard, Plumpton, and other amazing doners, for Afghan women in need in Western Sydney. It was organised by the Western Sydney Women’s Interfaith Initiative (WSWII) in partnership with Afghan Women on the Move (AWOTM) and held at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Meeting Room.
The emotional core of the gathering centred on the powerful testimony of Maryam Popal Zahid, Founder and CEO of AWOTM. Maryam, who arrived in Australia as a refugee in 1999 at the age of 20, shared her deeply personal story of displacement and the decades-long journey to find a safe space. She recounted the trauma of forced migration and her subsequent determination to pursue education in social work and community services to advocate for other displaced women. Her story highlighted the systemic challenges faced by Afghan women – including isolation, financial hardship, and the struggle to rebuild a life as a refugee.
Products generously donated by the parishioners of Our Lady of Lourdes, Seven Hills, and Good Shepard, Plumpton. Photo: Kim Chong
Though small in scale, the gathering transformed into a meaningful space for dialogue and human connection. Attendees engaged in packing the hampers while listening to the impactful stories, building bridges of understanding. The atmosphere was one of focused warmth and shared commitment, underscoring WSWII and AWOTM’s mission to promote friendship and mutual understanding across different religious and cultural groups. The collaboration between WSWII and AWOTM exemplifies the quiet, powerful impact of grassroots leadership supported by community partnerships.
As the collected hampers were loaded for distribution by AWOTM, the women departed with a renewed sense of purpose, having witnessed how simple acts of kindness, combined with faith and collaboration, can make a tangible, life-changing difference for women navigating life in a new country. This day stands as a powerful reminder that unity, compassion, and welcoming the stranger remain the strongest values across all faiths.
Ms Kim Chong, Media & Community Liaison, Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations
