Nimmy: Through this, even through the hard times, you are there for us. It’s the greatest
hope we have. Even before we asked, you helped us.
Sandra Harding: Our university has been very proud do what we can to assist international
students. Of course there have been some extra challenges being so far away from home. I
simply want to acknowledge those people, those international students and all of our colleagues
and our International Student Support team who have worked so hard to support these international
students during a time of crisis for many. Louise Myers: JCU has recognized that students
are in a particularly difficult situation given the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19
pandemic, and therefore, we decided we needed to do something practical to assist students
in the form of a food pantry. The International Student Support team started the food pantry
after having identified the need in the student cohort. Many international students had lost
their jobs after the COVID-19 restrictions, and therefore were facing financial hardship.
Douglas: I was working at King Pin, and all the businesses closed down so that means no
income for basic needs. Nisha: Like most people, the lack of jobs
and everyone is losing their jobs Natalia: That really affected me economically,
and a little bit mentally because I had everything really organised and then everything just
disappeared from my life, and I didn’t have a Plan B. So it was quite distressing.
Louise: The food pantry started off as just a couple of shelves in the Security Office
on campus, being stocked with donations received from staff. In its current form, the pantry
looks more like a pantry shop. Students are able to access the pantry on a weekly basis
to supplement their grocery bill. We set up an online donation portal so staff and the
wider community could make donations to keep the pantry going. It’s through the generosity
of JCU staff and community that we’ve been able to keep the pantry going now since the
20th of March. In Cairns, we have a slightly different arrangement where students can come
and collect a pre-packed pantry bag with a wide variety of food items.
Nicola: I really appreciate they do that much for us. I know in this situation, everyone
has their difficulties Louise: The generosity of the Townsville community
has been overwhelming with donations towards the food pantry
Bisham: Having access to the food pantry has been very grateful for me, as a student, and
as a community of JCU. Nimmy: My country went into a lockdown in
February so they could not bring in funds, and not allowed to transfer funds because
they want it in India, not over here. So we don’t know where to ask, whom to ask, what
to do. Nisha: I just think it’s the best thing
in the world, that they can be doing for us students, it’s helped everyone so much.
Natalia: Thanks to you, I know that a lot of us are able to deal with this situation.
So it’s more important than what you would think.
Louise: As a regional university, the international students are becoming more and more part of
the community, so I just wanted to say thank you for supporting the food pantry.
Sandra: Our sincere and deep thanks to all of those who have committed (to) and supported
our international students, and our domestic students, during this very very difficult
time Bisham: [in Nepali] Thank you JCU
Nicola: [in Cantonese] Thank you JCU, thank you Townsville
Douglas: [in Swahili] Thank you JCU, thank you Townsville
Nimmy: [in Hindi] Thank you JCU, thank you Townsville
Nisha: Thank you Townsville, thank you JCU!