GAP In Australia
GAP IN AUSTRALIA
Australia being GAP’s home base, and while riding on the nation’s heart for humanity, we have been able to run a number of programs that are beneficial to refugees both in Australia as well as in Africa. They are as follows;
1. Shared Program
This is a cultural exchange program aimed at integrating refugees with the resident communities. It is funded by the Newcastle City Council and aims at bringing together different multicultural communities especially African Refugees, Indigenous Australians, elderly Australians and Arabic communities to share their stories and experiences through dance, music and food.
Communities share their cultural values. This program facilitates stronger communities and safer neighborhoods which can end isolation for many particularly the elderly.
We provide free African food hence strengthening social cohesion and promote unity in diversity.
2. FRAMPA (Farmer, Refugee, Asylum seeker and Migrant Partnerships Australia)
This program aims at developing partnerships with the Australian rural community to assist African migrants and refugees find employment and accommodation. Through various means, rural communities which can potentially offer employment, short or long term, and accommodation, are contacted and arrangements are made for the refugees and migrants to take up the offers. Various community organizations such as The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul and Rural Australia for Refugees (RAR) have also been contacted to assist in this program.
FRAMPA has been operating since 2010 and has placed families in farms in Tenterfield, Richmond, Mangrove and Cavan in NSW. Favourable comments have been received from the farmers and refugees with the refugees learning new skills and furthering their Australian experience. As has already happened in the placements mentioned above, these workers, and their families obtain paid employment and accommodation; reducing their dependence on Centrelink assistance.
The placements also offer the gaining of skills and experience which can enhance their chances of career related employment, the increase in English language skills and further opportunities to participate in local communities. In one rural area the placement of two families resulted in the re-opening of the local school. Some of these people have obtained permanent positions in other industries; eg. in factories in Richmond. NSW.
To help further the opportunities for refugees and migrants in rural areas FRAMPA is seeking to establish strategic partnerships with peak farming bodies, rural industries and communities, and groups such as RAR and Rotary etc.. With these partnerships FRAMPA will have current and ongoing information about employment opportunities and the rural communities will have up-to-date contact details of workers, currently available and willing to undertake employment in rural settings. (There are up to 200 refugees available as of Oct 2018)
3. Twins For Twins Australia
This is a program where a family with twins in Australia is paired with another such family in Burundi, Africa. The African family then receives aid from the Australian family as is available.
So far we have paired two such family, with the African one having a set of twins and another set of triplets. It was gifted a Friesian cow alongside home shopping to last them for months.
There exists a challenge of getting to match such willing families but we continue to identify them even as we familiarize the program amongst the refugee population.
1. One Child One Friend
This one is almost similar to the twins and twins project. This project aims at linking Students from Australian Primary and Secondary schools with African Schools. Students become friends and get to know and help each another. This programs involves the exchange of letters between schools in Africa and those in Newcastle and the Hunter region. These letters are translated from French, Swahili and Kinyamulenge languages to English and vice versa. Pen pals can lead to lifelong connections, friendships and learning about each other’s cultures.
