By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
THE tragic consequences of bullying is all too apparent to Dandenong-based Young Leader member Albert Mambo.
At his boarding high school in Uganda, he and his friend were incessantly bullied for a term — 20 litres of water would be emptied on their beds, their clothes and books would be stolen, their food would be knocked off their plates, and no one else would sit with them.
“They just try to isolate you,” Albert said. He said he steeled himself for the barrage until he was accepted by the mob.
His friend fatally took a different tack — he dobbed in the offenders to the principal’s office, and those offenders beat him to death. “You just have to keep it with yourself,” Albert surmised.
Other Young Leaders — Farah Az-Zahra, Nisa Pramono and Shofi Triyanto — disagree.
Nina says talking to someone about it is crucial: “There’s always someone that cares about you.” Shofi says: “It’s much harder to face it by yourself.”
Nina remembers preparing a speech to confront bullies of a fellow student. She regrets not having the courage to deliver it.
The group, based at Dandenong’s Y-Stop youth services centre, is throwing the challenge open to year 6 pupils in Greater Dandenong. They are being asked to create anti-bullying short films for a competition and screen night next month.
The contest was inspired by the nationwide youth anti-bullying program Project Rockit, which runs a story competition on bullying and cyberbullying.
A Young Leaders survey found bullying was the second-most pressing problem — behind alcohol and drugs — for the municipality’s youths. It was the No. 1 issue for year 6 children, who are facing the tricky, scary transition to high school the next year.
“When they go to high school, it’s a whole new environment,” Farah said. Nina said: “In primary school you’re the oldest in the school; in high school you’re the youngest.”
The group is a part of a larger collection of Young Leaders, made up of about 30 youths aged 16-25 chosen by Greater Dandenong Council’s youth services. They hope the films will be educational, both for the year 6 filmmakers as well as spectators at a screening on December 4.
There’s plans for brochures on where students can get help, such as youth counselling.
To enter, schools can call Y-Stop on 9793 2155.
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