Video taken from my visit with the Southern Sudanese Communities last night. A wonderful experience and i am so honored to be welcomed into their lives. Thank You to the Southern Sudan Community in NSW your amazing!
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Showing posts with label sydney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sydney. Show all posts
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sudanese Australians Celebrate after first day of Referendum
In My Words: "10th January, 2011 – Rebecca-Anne Fowler
The second day of referendum voting for Southern Sudanese in Australia has started again at 8am this morning.
Last night i was invited by one of my Southern Sudanese friends William, to attend a celebration/meeting of Southern Communites after the first day of referendum voting ended. The night was a mix of speech’s, dancing and celebration for the coming months ahead.
Speech’s were given by elders and leaders, women were dancing and singing and the mood was electric, the theme: A New Sudan. When anyone mentioned a New Sudan the place erupted into cheers, it was amazing to see the Unity of the Southern Sudanese Tribes in this room. I myself was even called to give a speech. This was totally out of the blue and not expected. I did my best unprepared speech and got a huge round of applause. I felt so welcomed by all who attended."
It was also a great night for me to catch up with a few of my students and others whom i met at the Youth Conference in Sydney in NOV. I got to catch up with the wonderful Mr John Garang (not the late of course) and he was dressed in his military attire. He was happy to pose for a photo with one of his friends.
After speaking with a few of the attendee’s last night, i got a brief feeling that the general consensus for this vote will be a separation. One of the speakers said “The Late John Garang fought for this freedom for us, our fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers who were killed in the war have fought for this for us, now it is our turn to fight for them by voting in the referendum for separation.” Words than rang so true with most of the attendee’s.
I also spoke with a former “lost boy” who whilst not going into full details of his life, i could see that it had taken a devastating toll on the life of many. This particular gentleman now works for ActionAid and is doing great things here in Australia for his own community and many other communities around the world. It is so inspiring to know that someone who has been tested in the most atrocious of ways in life, has come through and is now giving back to community. I am inspired and at awe of these wonderful resiliant people who have come through devastating times to find some hope in their future. It simply amazes me.
This Tuesday i will be heading into the referendum centre here in Homebush Sydney and will be speaking with some Southern Sudanese on their hopes and dreams for the referendum. I feel so simply honored to be able to be a part of their lives here in Australia and to share their stories with the world is truly a blessing for me.
This year i hope to start writing a book with a few of my students, their life stories. Its going to be an amazing year for the Southern Sudanese communities and i wish them all the hope and happiness for their futures.
-Freeuganda
All photographs are Copyrighted to Rebecca-Anne Fowler, DO NOT reuse or distribute WITHOUT permission
The second day of referendum voting for Southern Sudanese in Australia has started again at 8am this morning.
Last night i was invited by one of my Southern Sudanese friends William, to attend a celebration/meeting of Southern Communites after the first day of referendum voting ended. The night was a mix of speech’s, dancing and celebration for the coming months ahead.
Speech’s were given by elders and leaders, women were dancing and singing and the mood was electric, the theme: A New Sudan. When anyone mentioned a New Sudan the place erupted into cheers, it was amazing to see the Unity of the Southern Sudanese Tribes in this room. I myself was even called to give a speech. This was totally out of the blue and not expected. I did my best unprepared speech and got a huge round of applause. I felt so welcomed by all who attended."
It was also a great night for me to catch up with a few of my students and others whom i met at the Youth Conference in Sydney in NOV. I got to catch up with the wonderful Mr John Garang (not the late of course) and he was dressed in his military attire. He was happy to pose for a photo with one of his friends.
After speaking with a few of the attendee’s last night, i got a brief feeling that the general consensus for this vote will be a separation. One of the speakers said “The Late John Garang fought for this freedom for us, our fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers who were killed in the war have fought for this for us, now it is our turn to fight for them by voting in the referendum for separation.” Words than rang so true with most of the attendee’s.
I also spoke with a former “lost boy” who whilst not going into full details of his life, i could see that it had taken a devastating toll on the life of many. This particular gentleman now works for ActionAid and is doing great things here in Australia for his own community and many other communities around the world. It is so inspiring to know that someone who has been tested in the most atrocious of ways in life, has come through and is now giving back to community. I am inspired and at awe of these wonderful resiliant people who have come through devastating times to find some hope in their future. It simply amazes me.
This Tuesday i will be heading into the referendum centre here in Homebush Sydney and will be speaking with some Southern Sudanese on their hopes and dreams for the referendum. I feel so simply honored to be able to be a part of their lives here in Australia and to share their stories with the world is truly a blessing for me.
This year i hope to start writing a book with a few of my students, their life stories. Its going to be an amazing year for the Southern Sudanese communities and i wish them all the hope and happiness for their futures.
-Freeuganda
All photographs are Copyrighted to Rebecca-Anne Fowler, DO NOT reuse or distribute WITHOUT permission
Monday, October 18, 2010
Journal Entry October 18th 2010
So i know its been a real long time since i wrote a journal entry, since back in August i do believe. I was actually going to write one at the end of August but received a phone call that changed my life, we had lost one of our nephew's in a car accident and another was seriously injured, the other 2 had minor injuries also. It was a day i will never forget and since then have taken some time to be with family and deal, learn and be there for others who need it.
Its with a sad heart i move forward in life to bring my mind out of the clouds and back down to earth....
I've started back at the HARDA mens english program and am learning so much from my students. One of which i found out today was "A lost boy". It pained me to watch last weeks Foreign Correspondant report with them and hear them speak first hand of what life was like, it bought me to silent tears as i stood at the back of the room whilst 9 or so Southern Sudanese Men watched the report, all crowded over a small laptop, their resiliance and hope shone so bright right at that moment. One of my students commented "i have not seen my family in 30 years, and im only early 40's". How sad it made me knowing this grown man had not seen his family since a child, how much pain would this have caused. And that is not just one, but alot of them havnt seen part if not all of their family in years if not decades.
On speaking of the upcoming referendum in Sudan, they have high hopes for a new Southern Sudan in 2011, a country separate from the North. One in which their current Southern Sudanese Govt will be in control of. With the announcement of Peacekeeping troups to be placed in hotspots they are delighted that the world is watching, that people are hoping for peace in the region. They have welcomed the peacekeeping troups as they beleive the presence there will deter a new war from erupting, one at which they know all to well the concequences of.
Its with their strength and courage and determination i move my life forward to a new journey and path. This year Invisible Children Australia will be closed and free up my time to work with the Horn of Africa Refugee's here locally in Blacktown and other local communities, i am also going to try and learn Dinka, a tribal Southern Sudanese language. I have so many projects going on in my mind and hope to see alot of them come to fruition both here in Aus and overseas in Africa.
Whilst on this journey in life im on, i've also been delving into the history of my family, in particular, my mothers family. I watched a documentary on Nazi occupied Holland in 1944 and it pained me to see what my Oma (grandmother in dutch) and Opa (grandfather in dutch) had to survive also. A great European country such as Holland taken by Germany in just a few hours, the hard times the people faced and how they lived. My mum also shared stories with me of what they went through and how life was for them at this time and it gave me a new strength inside, knowing my own grandmother had to survive under such hard times, hiding a deaf and mute mother and father in war times must not have been easy. With their determination for a better life, they were able to move to Australia and so began my life. It to me, was a blessing, to know that all that could have possibly taken away had my Oma & Opa not survived Nazi occupied Holland.
I've never really thought about it that way until now. A new strength inside to carry on in seeking peace for all human beings, others who are not as lucky as us to live in the land of such a beautiful and free country. We all have strength inside to fight for peace and for injustice, i invite you to join in the fight....
Freeuganda.
Its with a sad heart i move forward in life to bring my mind out of the clouds and back down to earth....
I've started back at the HARDA mens english program and am learning so much from my students. One of which i found out today was "A lost boy". It pained me to watch last weeks Foreign Correspondant report with them and hear them speak first hand of what life was like, it bought me to silent tears as i stood at the back of the room whilst 9 or so Southern Sudanese Men watched the report, all crowded over a small laptop, their resiliance and hope shone so bright right at that moment. One of my students commented "i have not seen my family in 30 years, and im only early 40's". How sad it made me knowing this grown man had not seen his family since a child, how much pain would this have caused. And that is not just one, but alot of them havnt seen part if not all of their family in years if not decades.
On speaking of the upcoming referendum in Sudan, they have high hopes for a new Southern Sudan in 2011, a country separate from the North. One in which their current Southern Sudanese Govt will be in control of. With the announcement of Peacekeeping troups to be placed in hotspots they are delighted that the world is watching, that people are hoping for peace in the region. They have welcomed the peacekeeping troups as they beleive the presence there will deter a new war from erupting, one at which they know all to well the concequences of.
Its with their strength and courage and determination i move my life forward to a new journey and path. This year Invisible Children Australia will be closed and free up my time to work with the Horn of Africa Refugee's here locally in Blacktown and other local communities, i am also going to try and learn Dinka, a tribal Southern Sudanese language. I have so many projects going on in my mind and hope to see alot of them come to fruition both here in Aus and overseas in Africa.
Whilst on this journey in life im on, i've also been delving into the history of my family, in particular, my mothers family. I watched a documentary on Nazi occupied Holland in 1944 and it pained me to see what my Oma (grandmother in dutch) and Opa (grandfather in dutch) had to survive also. A great European country such as Holland taken by Germany in just a few hours, the hard times the people faced and how they lived. My mum also shared stories with me of what they went through and how life was for them at this time and it gave me a new strength inside, knowing my own grandmother had to survive under such hard times, hiding a deaf and mute mother and father in war times must not have been easy. With their determination for a better life, they were able to move to Australia and so began my life. It to me, was a blessing, to know that all that could have possibly taken away had my Oma & Opa not survived Nazi occupied Holland.
I've never really thought about it that way until now. A new strength inside to carry on in seeking peace for all human beings, others who are not as lucky as us to live in the land of such a beautiful and free country. We all have strength inside to fight for peace and for injustice, i invite you to join in the fight....
Freeuganda.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Journal Entry, August 6h 2010
So its been a while since i have put a journal entry in as i have been quite busy recently.
A few family issues arose that i needed to take care of as well as continuing to run my Sudanese Mens English Courses through HARDA and also spending time with my children, who are ages 9, 4 & 3 so as you can imagine, they are quiet time consuming! lol My children are awesome kids and i hope they grow up with a moral respect for others and continue the fight for injustice.
In recent weeks i found out that one of the Invisible Children USA Team was taken away by an act of Terrorism. Nate from IC USA was in Kampala with 3 of our Northern Ugandan Students when a suicide bomber let of his bomb. Unfortunately, Nate did not survive the blast and our 3 students managed to escape with their lives, just to add more terror and scars to their already scarred lives. Such a sad thing to happen to those so innocently watching a soccer match. It just makes no sense. I send my condolences to all of those affected by the World Cup Bombings in Kampala, our prayers and thoughts are with you and your families.
It seems the world is falling apart right before my eyes, i feel helpless that i cannot do more to help others who are suffering, but as i know, i am only one person and i can only do so much, so i will continue to do as much as i can for others.
I must end this journal for now as i have some hungry little children asking me for morning tea so i must end this post early.
I thank all of you who read my posts and support my efforts to help those less fortunate. Thank you for coming on my journey with me.
Freeuganda
A few family issues arose that i needed to take care of as well as continuing to run my Sudanese Mens English Courses through HARDA and also spending time with my children, who are ages 9, 4 & 3 so as you can imagine, they are quiet time consuming! lol My children are awesome kids and i hope they grow up with a moral respect for others and continue the fight for injustice.
In recent weeks i found out that one of the Invisible Children USA Team was taken away by an act of Terrorism. Nate from IC USA was in Kampala with 3 of our Northern Ugandan Students when a suicide bomber let of his bomb. Unfortunately, Nate did not survive the blast and our 3 students managed to escape with their lives, just to add more terror and scars to their already scarred lives. Such a sad thing to happen to those so innocently watching a soccer match. It just makes no sense. I send my condolences to all of those affected by the World Cup Bombings in Kampala, our prayers and thoughts are with you and your families.
It seems the world is falling apart right before my eyes, i feel helpless that i cannot do more to help others who are suffering, but as i know, i am only one person and i can only do so much, so i will continue to do as much as i can for others.
I must end this journal for now as i have some hungry little children asking me for morning tea so i must end this post early.
I thank all of you who read my posts and support my efforts to help those less fortunate. Thank you for coming on my journey with me.
Freeuganda
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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