Activity programmes

Background

The development of this program was in response to feedback from newly arrived young people from the Horn of Africa, that not many knew how to cook or provide for themselves. Many young people who have migrated to Australia may not be accompanied by their parents, or in some cases may become the primary care giver for their parents due to health or social issues. For some, this is the first time they have had to prepare food and they need to learn about Australian nutrition, cooking methods and how to work together as a team. The ability for a young person to cater for themselves will provide a stepping stone into the world of independence.

Aims

The project has been designed to enable young people to cook and provide for themselves. It will introduce participants to fresh food preparation, cooking for themselves, food safety and hygiene. In turn, it will enable young people to engage and interact with positive role models, develop their social skills, and provide them with independence. Importantly it will provide the youth with hospitality skills that can lead to employment opportunitiespart-time or full-time work. .

Achievements

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Background

Many immigrant Australian Africans are coming from a non-English speaking background, and for young immigrants, this can cause problems when entering the Australian schooling systems. Limited English skills can lead to poor academic performance, frustration and withdrawal in social settings, high drop out rates, antisocial behaviour and underage alcohol and drug abuse.

Aim

The Tutoring Program has been set up to help and support Australian Africans and other immigrants from a English as a Second Language (ESL) with school studies. By providing a supportive and caring environment ESL students are mentored and coached in academic areas that they are struggling in or want to achieve more. The Tutoring Program also encourages families of the students to get involved to provide additional support and understanding at home and to help the parents and guardians see the value of a strong education. By providing students with this support, the program aims to increase individuals confidence, sense of worth and academic skills and encourages graduates to return and provide mentoring to new generations of students.

Achievements

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Many young Somali people are currently arriving in Melbourne with very little education or experience of life in a society like modern Australia. It is a confusing experience, and they need special help to catch up with survival skills and basic literacy and numeracy. The Wheel Project is a 12-week mentoring program for these kids, using creative learning activities for personal development.
We have called this the "Wheel Project" because it will draw on young Somalis who are already settled in Australia, or born here, to act as mentors for the new arrivals, in basic literacy and numeracy as well as life skills. In addition to workshops and on-to-one literacy, numeracy and homework support for new arrivals, the program will also provide leadership development for Australian born or settled Somali young people.
One of the biggest settlement challenges of the Somali community is education, both for children and for their families to understand why they need to study, and how to support them in their schoolwork. This program will bring the kids who have strong English skills to help the new arrivals, at the same time helping those Australian born or raised kids to develop their social and leadership skills.