Description:
Hundreds of years ago, Australia was filled with a variety of culturally-rich Aboriginal tribes. The Australian Red Cross (ARC) works to help the Aboriginals escape the unemployment, health problems, and poor education that have been affecting them since the arrival of Westerners in the early 1800s. As with most struggling societies, the children suffer most. Lifeworks-Australia helps the ARC to enrich and rejuvenate the lives of these children.
When we arrive in Sydney, the first two days of the program are spent preparing for our primary project with the Aboriginal children of Milikapati in the Tiwi Islands. Prior to entering this protected community, the ARC helps Lifeworkers learn about Aboriginal cultural background, history and beliefs.
The Tiwi are a sea people with a strong heritage. They successfully resisted European intrusions and remain a stronghold of tradition. Their stunning artwork and independent outlook provide much pride to the Tiwi.
Our projects are presented as an exchange in which we give our time and energy to these people. In return, we receive rewarding experiences and lessons in their culture and customs. With the support of the ARC, our days are spent designing activities and interacting with children at the village community center. On a daily basis, there can be 40 or 50 kids at the center, ranging in age from four to fourteen. The kids all enjoy playing games, giving piggy back rides, running and horsing around, making paper planes, doing arts and crafts, performing magic tricks, juggling and singing.
On the weekends, we will go on camping trips with the kids and their parents by the swimming hole at Pickatarramone, the Tomorrupi Waterfall, and Mary Maureen's bush camp. These excursions give us the opportunity to relax, feel part of the local community, and learn some aboriginal rituals.
Hundreds of years ago, Australia was filled with a variety of culturally-rich
Aboriginal tribes. The Australian Red Cross (ARC) works to help the Aboriginals
escape the unemployment, health problems, and poor education that have been
affecting them since the arrival of Westerners in the early 1800s. As with
most struggling societies, the children suffer most. Lifeworks-Australia helps
the ARC to enrich and rejuvenate the lives of these children. When we arrive in Sydney, the first two days of the program are spent preparing
for our primary project with the Aboriginal children of Milikapati in the Tiwi
Islands. Prior to entering this protected community, the ARC helps Lifeworkers
learn about Aboriginal cultural background, history and beliefs. The Tiwi are a sea people with a strong heritage. They successfully resisted
European intrusions and remain a stronghold of tradition. Their stunning artwork
and independent outlook provide much pride to the Tiwi. Our projects are presented as an exchange in which we give our time and energy
to these people. In return, we receive rewarding experiences and lessons in
their culture and customs. With the support of the ARC, our days are spent
designing activities and interacting with children at the village community
center. On a daily basis, there can be 40 or 50 kids at the center, ranging
in age from four to fourteen. The kids all enjoy playing games, giving piggy
back rides, running and horsing around, making paper planes, doing arts and
crafts, performing magic tricks, juggling and singing. On the weekends, we will go on camping trips with the kids and their parents
by the swimming hole at Pickatarramone, the Tomorrupi Waterfall, and Mary Maureen's
bush camp. These excursions give us the opportunity to relax, feel part of
the local community, and learn some aboriginal rituals. Once our work is done, we will go to Queensland, where the reef and rainforest
meet. We will explore the wildlife and discover what the northeastern shores
of Australia have to offer. |
