A photo with Santa in the local park might not seem like much to a politician sitting in Canberra. But it could mean the world to two little girls from Biloela.
Two weeks ago, Biloela came together in Lions Park for our annual Christmas Festival. It was just the sort of community event that Priya and Nades loved to be part of, until guards snatched this family from their home 21 months ago.
There was a jumping castle, face painting and family entertainment. I can just imagine the excitement on four year old Kopika and two year old Tharunicaa’s faces!
If Prime Minister Morrison would only listen to the UN Human Rights Committee’s request to return this family to the community, they could be home in Biloela in time for Christmas.
Instead, Priya, Nades and their beautiful, QLD-born girls are trapped on Christmas Island, 5,000km from Biloela. They are now facing their second Christmas in detention.
So I’ve decided that every single day between now and Christmas Eve, I’m going to take one simple action to show this beautiful family how much they are loved.
Starting today, will you join me in taking action on each of the Twelve Days of Christmas Island?
Today, please pop a Christmas card with a message of hope and compassion for Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharunicaa in the post to: Priya and Nades, c/- Phosphate Hill Immigration Detention Facility, Christmas Island, 6798
It can take two months for ordinary mail to reach Christmas Island, so make sure you add a 50c Australia Post Priority Label to help your card arrive in time.
The actions for the next two days of Christmas Island are:
- Saturday 14th December: Wish Nades Happy Birthday on the Home to Bilo Facebook page.
- Sunday 15th December: Sign a petition for Kopika and Tharunicaa’s friend, baby Isabella.
On Monday, I’ll send another email update with the three more simple actions you can take - don’t forget to follow Home To Bilo on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates during Twelve Days of Christmas Island!
Always hopeful,
Angela
PS Thank you so much to everyone who has offered to send toys or other items to Christmas Island. Limited mail services to this remote territory mean that a simple card is the best way to send love and hope right now. We have already sent a Christmas ‘care package’ from Bilo!