So today is my second last day at the HARDA office for this years African Men’s English Program. Tomorrow we will be having our graduation for 2010 and my students are excited yet aprehensive.
“What will we do for the next 8 weeks?” is a common question that is arising. With both our classes and TAFE classes finished for the year the men seem to be at a loss at what they will do with their time. Alot of them are asking about employment over the holidays, what can they do to gain some casual employment.
I feel troubled by the prospects of them going back to the parks they were sitting in before we were able to gain their attendance. With all the weeks of nothing ahead (f0r our single students) they are at a loss. It pains me that i can not do more. I feel like i’m sometimes caught between a rock and a hard place. But yet again, i am only one person. I do what i can to make the lifes of those around me better and i guess that is all i can do.
I am looking forward to our graduation ceremony tomorrow morning and i know my students are as well. They have invited their families and i am hoping to see a great turnout in support of them. I have started to receive the tutor reports and am amazed at how well some of them have come in the last 12 months due to our program. It makes me feel like we are doing something worthwhile and giving back to those who need our help.
I have made some wonderful friends with the Sudanese males that i have been involved with and the stories they can tell, wow they will blow you away.
Just this morning one of my students was telling me that he finally got to speak to his sister last month after 24 yrs of absence. She had no idea he was living in Australia and had not seen him since he was a small boy. I think of my own family and not seeing my sister for 24 yrs and how hard that would be on my family so i can only imagine how hard it has been for him. Living here in Australia with NO family. A Lost Boy, still searching for the life he wants. It pains me to hear his stories, so we made a pact, we will go to Sudan together one day and meet with his family. I myself am not rich, i struggle on financially with my own family and life but somehow, someday, god will help us take this journey together, so i can retrace his steps, meet his family and learn more about how my fellow friends from southern sudan have been forced to live for far too long in unresolved war like conditions. Ipray for nothing more than peace for southern sudan and for my friends to be able to return home to a democractic society that they so enjoy here in Australia.
I have also been trying to get on here and blog about my experience at the Horn of African Youth Conference a fortnight ago but am having issues with my internet cable (kids have tripped over it one too many times and its not working) and then my camera decided it did not want me to print the pics on the SD card when i took it to officeworks. So once i have fixed the “Technical” issues facing me ill have the blog up and the pics of the weekend up as well. (I am blogging from the HARDA office this morn).
Also Please Please Please if you want to do something for someone this Christmas purchase one of our Shirts or Products from ALL FOR CHARITY STORE and 100% of the profits made are used to support a Child Headed Household in Uganda of 5 Children. Betty the eldest girl is a budding scientist and we would love nothing more than to see her acheive her goals. For more information on Betty and her family, please VISIT HERE
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Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label journal. Show all posts
Monday, December 13, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Journal Entry 23rd November, 2010
Tuesday 23rd November 2010
I was at the HARDA (Horn of Africa Relief & Development Agency) office today as usual for my Tuesday Morning Volunteering to co-ordinate the African Men's English Program. We had a great conversation at our Morning Tea session and i thought it was worthwhile to discuss.
John, (our dear leader) had raised the subject of how hard it was for African Refugee's to gain employment in Australia and what services are available out there for further training. It was a great topic. A few of our students were really encouraged and opened up to us. "I worked for 20 months after coming to Australia as a printer" Santino from our level 3 english classed divulged. "In Sudan i worked as a printer in Khartoum". He also added. "In Australia i learnt great lessons in my 20 months working, that quality of product is very important, the machinery is different and up to date in technology, that arriving on time to work is very important." Santino advised. "I've applied for over 30 jobs in the Construction Industry" Spoke Ateem, "yet i've not gotten a job yet". Ateem previously worked in construction for 12-18 months but was unable to continue his employment due to his english skills. This is why they attend our Mens English and Computer Classes, so he can gain a better understanding of the english language and how to adjust to life here in Australia in a casual and stress free setting. Even though they have completed 500 hours of English training through TAFE, they found that coming from a non english speaking country (in particular Dinka, tribal or Arabic languages) it is much harder to understand and learn english. They found that TAFE did not make them feel confident in learning the english language and they could not have too much extra help due to the high amount of students per teacher. Our courses offer low student to teacher ratio to ensure effective learning and absorbing of information.
This journey i have begun with the Southern Sudanese Community in NSW has been an amazing journey full of interesting, heart breaking and couraging stories of life. I really cannot fathome how there is so much racism and misinformation surrounding these lovely people living in our beautiful and free country. My dear Aussies, i ask of you to just take the time to get to know these wonderful and resilient people and the friendships you will make are ones that will last the tests of time. My friends have such wonderful faith and kindness to share with the world, their amazing culture and traditions are to be retained for their future generations and their expressions of love and life through dance and song is to be adored. They make the most amazing music and dances i have seen.
So its now time for me to sign off for tonight but i leave you with a refreshed and revamped website that i have been working on tonight to update my information as my paths entangle and my life takes on new challenges and projects, i hope to continue on this journey with you.
I was at the HARDA (Horn of Africa Relief & Development Agency) office today as usual for my Tuesday Morning Volunteering to co-ordinate the African Men's English Program. We had a great conversation at our Morning Tea session and i thought it was worthwhile to discuss.
John, (our dear leader) had raised the subject of how hard it was for African Refugee's to gain employment in Australia and what services are available out there for further training. It was a great topic. A few of our students were really encouraged and opened up to us. "I worked for 20 months after coming to Australia as a printer" Santino from our level 3 english classed divulged. "In Sudan i worked as a printer in Khartoum". He also added. "In Australia i learnt great lessons in my 20 months working, that quality of product is very important, the machinery is different and up to date in technology, that arriving on time to work is very important." Santino advised. "I've applied for over 30 jobs in the Construction Industry" Spoke Ateem, "yet i've not gotten a job yet". Ateem previously worked in construction for 12-18 months but was unable to continue his employment due to his english skills. This is why they attend our Mens English and Computer Classes, so he can gain a better understanding of the english language and how to adjust to life here in Australia in a casual and stress free setting. Even though they have completed 500 hours of English training through TAFE, they found that coming from a non english speaking country (in particular Dinka, tribal or Arabic languages) it is much harder to understand and learn english. They found that TAFE did not make them feel confident in learning the english language and they could not have too much extra help due to the high amount of students per teacher. Our courses offer low student to teacher ratio to ensure effective learning and absorbing of information.
This journey i have begun with the Southern Sudanese Community in NSW has been an amazing journey full of interesting, heart breaking and couraging stories of life. I really cannot fathome how there is so much racism and misinformation surrounding these lovely people living in our beautiful and free country. My dear Aussies, i ask of you to just take the time to get to know these wonderful and resilient people and the friendships you will make are ones that will last the tests of time. My friends have such wonderful faith and kindness to share with the world, their amazing culture and traditions are to be retained for their future generations and their expressions of love and life through dance and song is to be adored. They make the most amazing music and dances i have seen.
So its now time for me to sign off for tonight but i leave you with a refreshed and revamped website that i have been working on tonight to update my information as my paths entangle and my life takes on new challenges and projects, i hope to continue on this journey with you.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Journal Entry, 21st June 2010
So it's been a little while since i've done my last journal entry, but i've been so flat out lately with volunteering and then a few family issues that arose.
So whats been going on!?!
Well as you know i've been the program co-ordinator for the sudanese mens english classes here at the HARDA office in Homebush West. These are held on Monday and Tuesday from 10am to 12.30pm. I've met some wonderful Dinka and southern Sudanese men since i've started. All each with a tale to tell of back home life.
Sadly, i've seen how hard it is for them to change their lives from what they are used to, to what we have to offer here and the change for some has been overwhelming. The stories i've been told of how some of our refugees have been treated, victimised and such is disgraceful. We need to join together to create an understanding of eachother. For us to understand what they have suffered through and for them to understand how to live a new life in our country (which is completely different to theirs!)
In between all of this i've been dealing with issues closer to home, such as my dearly beloved dog falling ill and becoming a paraplegic. We sadly had to lay him to rest. RIP Spike 2005 - 2010.
It also looks as though i will have to delay my African trip for a few months as i have not reached the level of sponsorship that i require to be able to cover the costs of this volunteer trip. I do hope to make to africa in 2011. A goal i really want to achieve. This afternoon i will be sending out the final batch of my sponsorship letters.
I will also be heading to the Blacktown Sudanese Settlement centre to start co-ordinating the mens english groups there so that we can start next term with new english classes. If anyone from the Blacktown Area is interested in being a program co-ordinator each thursday for english classes it would be much appreciated! simply EMAIL ME!
So that is it for now i must be getting along and doing some other things but ill update some more news this afternoon when i return home.
Peace to all.
Freeuganda
So whats been going on!?!
Well as you know i've been the program co-ordinator for the sudanese mens english classes here at the HARDA office in Homebush West. These are held on Monday and Tuesday from 10am to 12.30pm. I've met some wonderful Dinka and southern Sudanese men since i've started. All each with a tale to tell of back home life.
Sadly, i've seen how hard it is for them to change their lives from what they are used to, to what we have to offer here and the change for some has been overwhelming. The stories i've been told of how some of our refugees have been treated, victimised and such is disgraceful. We need to join together to create an understanding of eachother. For us to understand what they have suffered through and for them to understand how to live a new life in our country (which is completely different to theirs!)
In between all of this i've been dealing with issues closer to home, such as my dearly beloved dog falling ill and becoming a paraplegic. We sadly had to lay him to rest. RIP Spike 2005 - 2010.
It also looks as though i will have to delay my African trip for a few months as i have not reached the level of sponsorship that i require to be able to cover the costs of this volunteer trip. I do hope to make to africa in 2011. A goal i really want to achieve. This afternoon i will be sending out the final batch of my sponsorship letters.
I will also be heading to the Blacktown Sudanese Settlement centre to start co-ordinating the mens english groups there so that we can start next term with new english classes. If anyone from the Blacktown Area is interested in being a program co-ordinator each thursday for english classes it would be much appreciated! simply EMAIL ME!
So that is it for now i must be getting along and doing some other things but ill update some more news this afternoon when i return home.
Peace to all.
Freeuganda
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