Ongoing drought assistance brings relief in tough times

23 September 2020

Throughout years of crippling drought across the country, Salvation Army rural chaplains, disaster recovery specialists, pastors and support workers have stood alongside those impacted most, including farmers, local townspeople, remote communities and their families.

The Salvos’ tireless work and ongoing assistance – in many large and seemingly smaller ways – have helped to change the lives of thousands of people, as the personal testimonies below so powerfully illustrate. And the work continues today.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT

“The assistance provided by you helped enormously financially, but more than that, I think it helped mentally as well. To be able to pay some bills was a great relief off my mind.”

“We received help just before Christmas, which was just so timely. It enabled our family to have some relief from the financial stresses, just forget about things for a while and enjoy some happiness together.”

“The assistance was very gratefully accepted. Even though we are still doing it very tough it was a great feeling to know someone cared enough to give us the assistance.”

FINANCIAL IMPACT

“$3000 to some might seem like a big handout to people in the city, but to farmers, this is not the case. At the time I received this money, I had $6500 worth of bills coming up due to be paid, with $2500 in my account …The $3000 paid all of my urgent bills, and then I was able to ask for extensions to the remainder and I made it work. At the time the $3000 really saved me.”

“The financial assistance allowed my husband to have some essential dental work done that we would have otherwise not been able to afford. This was having an impact on his general health, so was greatly appreciated.” “It was great, as we were wondering where the money would come from for tractor and work ute repairs. Thanks to you we were able to use the tractor for a lot of chores.”

“We have received some rain in the last few weeks and things are looking up, but we would not have got the stock through the Christmas/New Year without your help – we were able to hang on that extra month and that made all the difference.”