Last week Greater Shepparton Secondary College was visited by Networking African-Australians, a community organisation originating from Melbourne, aimed at supporting African-Australian students in reaching their full potential.
Once a Shepparton local, Networking African-Australians founder and chief executive Monga Mukasa said he had always had a soft spot for the city, which is why he wanted it to be the first regional centre the program was bought to.
“I can go to other places and support young people, but if I don’t start from my own backyard in Shepparton, I’m not at peace,” he said.
“There’s a large group of African-Australians who have migrated to this town and seeing it grow we’ve seen other issues appear, for example, high rates of kids in jail.
“We’re here to prevent that from happening and moving forward so that we can see how we can support them.”
The program is in its second year, and had received excellent feedback so far, according to Mr Mukasa.
“Just hearing the recollections of the mentees with their stories and connecting with that person and that person guiding them has been mind-blowing, hence why we’re moving it to regional areas to support our kids,” he said.
Children spend most of their lives at school where they developed key learning skills, Mr Mukasa said, which was why having a program such as this to guide them was important.
“We need to work alongside school leaders to make sure that organisations such as Networking African-Australians can come in and support target groups in terms of enhancing and developing students’ self-esteem, soft skills, and obviously self-confidence and connecting them to the world,” he said.
Members sat down with GSSC African-Australian students to hear their thoughts on what support they needed, and encouraged them to sign up for a mentor.
Eager to learn: African-Australian students at Greater Shepparton Secondary College will be able to access a mentor and specialised support through the network’s program. Photo by Nicola Ceccato
Year 12 student Nadia Niyubushobozi is hoping to study biomedicine at university, with help from the network.
“I am hoping this program will help us build our confidence and build a better community that we all wish to see in the future and help the African students career-wise,” Nadia said.
Year 10 student Fidele Namusomwa believes the program will help unite the African-Australian community and help others understand the needs of their culture.
“Be good to get more support for the African community, we need more support coming up from the government,” he said.
“So, it’s good to be sticking together as one unit with our diversity so that we can know each other better and understand our culture.
“I hope this program will make a change to African youth with encouragement and support.”
This program is currently being rolled out at the school, with GSSC liaison officer for the African community Yvette Siriyamungu leading the team.
“Most of them, they need someone to talk to them,” Ms Siriyamungu said.
“They need support from African people, as they get it from them much better.
“They know the challenges they have passed through earlier, and the first challenge is mental health.
“They just need more support activities that can keep them together and understand what they need to do in school.”
For more information about the program, visit the Networking African-Australians website.
