Overview

Reflect deeply on the realities of homelessness through prayer, film, and discussion. The activity centers around the documentary Oasis – Homeless Shelter in Sydney, encouraging students to identify and explore five social justice issues, their broader impacts, the role of personal choice, and how the Salvation Army responds with care. Extension videos provide real-world insights into homelessness in Australia, including economic hardship, rental pressures, and childhood displacement. Together, the resources aim to foster empathy, awareness, and a call to justice.

Brainstorm

What do you know about homelessness?

Activity

Write a title - 'Oasis - Homeless Shelter in Sydney'

Watch the following documentary (part 1 to part 11) and complete the following questions:

Students to write the following questions before watch the documentary:
  1. Identify 5 social justice issues which were raised in the Oasis film? Describe each one.
  2. What impacts do the issues have on other people? (2 – 3 paragraphs)
  3. How can choices influence people’s direction towards these issues? (2 – 3 paragraphs)
  4. How does the Salvation Army respond and provide a level of care and service? (2 – 3 paragraphs)
All work to be completed in your exercise book.

FULL play list - Oasis

Extension Videos

How a successful teacher, principal and IT manager wound up homeless


Australia's Homelessness Crisis Is Growing


People are finding themselves homeless for the first time due to the rental squeeze


The Urgency of Early Childhood Homelessness - Grace Whitney, PhD


Song - Another Day in Paradise

Prayer for Homeless People

Loving God,

You are the shelter for every soul and the refuge for all who seek rest.

We lift up to You our sisters and brothers without homes,

those who wander the streets, sleep in parks, or take shelter where they can.

In their suffering, may they feel Your closeness.

In their hunger, may they find nourishment.

In their loneliness, may they know they are not forgotten.

Stir in our hearts compassion and action.

Move us to serve, to speak, to stand with those pushed to the margins.

Bless all who work tirelessly to bring warmth, safety, and dignity to the homeless.

Remind us that each person is Your beloved child,

worthy of care, of hope, and of home.

We ask this in the name of Jesus,

who had no place to lay His head,

yet offered His life so all might find their place in You.

Amen.

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