By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
HOW’S this for a snapshot of Dandenong?
Take Muslim and Christian refugees from Sudan and South Sudan, Jewish volunteers, and an Indian co-ordinator, all meeting in a church on a weekly basis.
Stand Up, formerly known as Jewish Aid Australia, hosts the regular women’s group and students’ homework club for refugees, mainly from Sudan’s Darfur and Nuba Mountains regions.
They’re not “massive communities” but they’re building a strong relationship with the Stand Up volunteers, refugee support director Lisa Buchner says.
She said the fun, tight-knit group of 18 mothers revel in the outing as on-site professional childcare workers look after up to 20 of their children.
She said by helping women, the group was in turn helping families and children. “Women are the ones holding families together.”
The women gained self-esteem as they built friendships, laughed, practised English and learnt cooking, sewing, arts and jewellery making.
“Many had not used a sewing machine before,” she said.
The mums cook and learn about local produce harvested from Mt Scopus College students’ kitchen garden.
They also sell their home-made crafts such as bags, cushions and baby booties at an annual market in Caulfield.
“They earn what they make. It’s really showing them what they’re capable of,” Ms Buchner said.
After the women’s group, up to 30 secondary and primary school students are tutored by volunteers including university students.
Many of them with maths and literacy struggles see the uni students as role models. The program tries to stop them from “slipping through gaps” at school.
Ms Buchner sees the profound difference her volunteers make. Yet the need for more help for refugees is great, particularly for English classes and employment.
Most of Stand Up’s funding comes from fund-raisers and philanthropy, with “very little” governmental assistance.
“The Federal Government provides funding to refugees for the first five years of settlement but unfortunately the needs don’t stop after five years.
“I agree whole-heartedly that there’s not enough support – 110 hours of English classes to all migrants and refugees is brilliant but it’s not enough to get work.”
“They just need that extra support.”
To donate or volunteer go to standup.org.au
