Mission Australia in partnership with the Northern Migrant Resource Centre (NMRC) is pleased to announce the launch of the African Pathways Program; a new program aimed at providing support to young people and their families who have recently arrived from the Horn of Africa, and are living in Darebin and Banyule.

The African Pathways Program aids young people (aged 6 to 16 years) and their families from the Horn of Africa communities (Sudan, Somali, Ethiopian and Eritrea) by providing school-based transition programs, community development initiatives, and family support.

Mission Australia recognises that for many people new to Australia from the Horn of Africa communities, successfully settling into their new home and community is made difficult by language barriers, culture shock, and grief and trauma effects.

Mission Australia’s African Pathway Program Coordinator, Winnie Ng’ang’a, said that these already difficult conditions are compounded by the lack of resources available within these communities to address these issues.

“The goal of this new program is to provide educational support for young people from the Horn of Africa. The program activities are designed to empower parents and students from the Horn of Africa to engage meaningfully and actively with their local schools,” said Ms Ng’ang’a.

“The African Pathways Program aims to build up the confidence and capacity of the Horn of Africa communities by empowering their leadership and using community strengths to reach local solutions.”

Mission Australia and the NMRC believe that strengthening relationships between the Horn of Africa communities, local schools and community groups, through projects such as study support groups, career information workshops, playgroups at schools, and parent visits to classrooms, will aid these communities in engaging with mainstream services and resources, and help them to achieve their goals.

“Mission Australia, together with the NMRC, and the University of Melbourne who are helping us with the research and evaluation on this program, are very excited about the African Pathways Program.

“We look forward to developing strong relationships with these communities and helping them grow, succeed and achieve their goals and aspirations,” said Ms Ng’ang’a.

The African Pathways Program: Positive Transitions will be officially launched at an event jointly hosted by Mission Australia, the NMRC and the University of Melbourne, to be held on Friday, 3 November 2006 at the Preston Shire Hall, 286 Gower Street, from 2pm to 4pm. The event will include a cultural performance by a local Sudanese group.

African Pathways Program: Positive Transitions
At a glance

What:
The African Pathways Program is an innovative program that aims to assist refugee children and families from the Horn of Africa settle successfully into their new homes and communities.

When:
The program will commence in November 2006 and will assist families in the Darebin and Banyule areas for at least the next 3 years.

Where:

• Haig Street Primary School, Heidelberg Heights
• Olympic Village Primary School, Heidelberg West
• East Preston Islamic College, East Preston
• Reservoir District Secondary College, Reservoir

Program Activities:

• Study support groups
• Career information workshops
• Workplace visits
• School playgroups
• School information sessions
• Parent visits to classrooms

For more information on the African Pathways Program, please contact:
Winnie Ng’ang’a
African Pathways Program Manager
Mission Australia
03 9416 7488

Media Enquiries - to arrange for an interview or photo opportunity, please contact:
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