Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project

Hospitality, Networking, Advocacy

The Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project (BASP) was established in 2001 by the Brigidine Sisters with their aim being to:

• Provide hospitality and practical support for people seeking asylum;
• Actively network with like-minded individuals and groups who are working for justice for asylum seekers;
• Promote advocacy for the rights of people seeking asylum;
• Engage in education about the issues asylum seekers face.

Our parishes have had a long history with supporting BASP by providing non perishable foods, toiletries, cleaning products etc.  However with the Covid-19 pandemic impacting on all of us in different ways, the parishes were not able to collect goods for this project.  BASP with very little funds and resources continues to support the most vulnerable in our community.  

Now we are at the start of 2021 and we hope to help and support BASP by resuming BASP Donation Basket project with the collection of goods and delivering them to the Brigidines on a monthly basis.  If you would like to join our team of volunteers in collecting and delivering the goods to the Brigidines in Albert Park on a monthly basis, please contact Kate Baines at the Parish Office.

Donation baskets will be available at all churches on the first weekend of each month for the collection of non-perishable food items such as sugar, flour, cooking oil, tinned tomatoes, tinned tuna, tinned red kidney beans, corn and peas.  Items you may like to donate could include long life milk, tea, coffee, biscuits, noodles, honey, dates, salt, pepper and spices. Toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, toothpaste, bath soap as well as washing powder, dishwashing and other cleaning detergents, food wrap, tinfoil, garbage bags would be appreciated.  Items for babies and infants such as disposable nappies of all sizes and wipes are also required.

Financial donations are most welcome and all donations go to the practical support of asylum seekers and those who have recently received refugee status.  All financial donations over $2 are tax deductible. 

Donations are not always about money.  There are many other ways you can support BASP:

• Housing – BASP are very keen to hear from anyone with any generous housing options;
• Jobs – assistance with jobs through contacts you may have whether it be full time, part time or casual;
• Furniture and household items – please contact BASP directly to ascertain what the immediate need may be;
• Gift vouchers – allow people the independence to buy items that they really want or need from major stores such as Coles, Woolworths, Big W and K-mart;
• Myki cards and Phone credits – are essential for asylum seekers and refugees to function within the community;
• Volunteer – if you would like to provide practical help, volunteer and offer support and friendship in people’s homes and in the community, provide transport to activities or appointments. Or provide friendship and support to an asylum seeker family with everyday English.  Help families settle in the Australian community by exploring local facilities and services together.  Volunteers always work together in pairs.

 To learn more about the works of BASP, to volunteer or to donate, visit BASP

Kate Baines