SOME say it's being part of a certain school or community program.
Others say it's the kindness of one person. When young refugees are
asked what has most helped them to settle in Victoria it is often one,
or both, of these things.
So it should come as no surprise that when young members of
the Karen community — a persecuted ethnic minority in their native Burma
— are asked what has most helped them stay in education, they cite
projects such as Engaging Youth, run by Foundation House, or homework
clubs run by New Hope Foundation or The Smith Family.
Others cite individuals such as Victoria Police multicultural
liaison officer Richard Dove, who has come to know so many Karen
families in Werribee, he has special status as a friend of the
community.
Joanna Weeku spends her days teaching other refugees to cook. Photo: Ken Irwin
Educators recognise that a creative, well-targeted program
can keep refugees at risk of dropping out of school, or help those who
have lost their way.
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As part of the Engaging Youth program, about 20 Karen youth
came together to make music videos. There was no shortage of subject
material. In their lyrics, music and film, these Melbourne-based
refugees gave insight into the journeys, losses and difficulties that
they or their friends and families have faced. Many were born and raised
in refugee camps on the Thai-Burmese border after their parents had
fled the civil war in Burma.
The videos alternate between haunting ballads and lively
hip-hop, a mix that has won a YouTube following (key words: MKY Karen)
among youth of Karen background dispersed as far away as Norway.
Richard Dove shows Say Htoo Eh Moero the book he wrote. Photo: Cathy Jackson
The video-making was part of a much larger project, funded by
the NIB Foundation and involving several refugee support agencies, to
help vulnerable Karen youth.
With recent media attention focusing on arrivals from African
backgrounds, most people don't realise that refugees of Burmese
background, particularly the Karen, represent the largest group to
arrive in Victoria on humanitarian visas in the past five years.
A small group of Karen who arrived in Victoria 14 years ago
has grown to about 5000, with about half of those living in the Wyndham
area, which includes Werribee and Laverton.
Susie Strehlow, a co-ordinator with Foundation House, says
the videos aimed to provide "health and harm minimisation" messages. The
result was more powerful — and poignant — than she could have hoped.
In the videos, Karen performers warn that dropping out and
substance abuse is not the answer to dealing with grief or the
challenges of resettlement. In songs such as Bad Boy Life or Unaccompanied child, the Karen sing about loneliness and how "new friends" — drugs and alcohol — can slowly ruin lives.
Doe Doh, who wrote hip-hop lyrics for some songs, loved being
part of the two-month pilot project. "It was fun. We danced, we learnt
something new and were part of a team."
That sense of belonging is something Karen youth crave. In
their first year in Australia they are well supported in an
English-language school, but — like many refugees — they often struggle
after that.
Youth worker Wee Thaw, who wrote songs and performed in the
videos, says the program appealed because Karen youth love music.
"People use it as a way to heal because the community has suffered
enormously. No one has formal music training but so many play the guitar
and other instruments. The project plays to our strength."
Wee came to Melbourne with his family at age 15. After
language school, he attended Bayside Secondary College, where he felt
supported. He is now studying social work.
He admits this success is not typical. Many students drop out
within months of starting mainstream high schools. "The Karen people
can't keep up with the other students and end up not going to school any
more," he says. "You need a good ATAR score so it is hard to go to
university or get a higher education."
Ms Strehlow says Karen students can only study to year 10 in
refugee camps. "When people arrive they have many hopes for their
education but the reality is that when they get linked to a school they
find the work difficult and this creates disappointment. This is such a
shame because they have so many strengths."
Chit Lu, a community liaison worker with Foundation House,
says many Karen youth are unaccompanied minors so can feel very alone.
"When they are placed in year 10 they easily drop out and struggle," he
says.
Those with parents often feel they are a disappointment to
them as their English skills are inadequate to cope with senior high
school. Foundation House held a drama workshop recently to bridge this
gap, with adults and the young performing together.
Richard Dove has watched demand grow for programs that help
refugees stay in education. When he started working in Werribee in 2001
about 20 per cent of residents were born overseas; now it's almost 40
per cent, with the Karen the largest group of recent arrivals.
Senior Constable Dove says a fear of police often prevents
refugees from successfully settling. "They fear authority and so won't
reach out for education or employment."
He has forged a close relationship with the Karen, is invited
to most community events and is involved in a youth leadership program.
He says south Sudanese youth in the area also face pressure
from their parents. "They want their child to be a doctor or lawyer and
the child is saying, 'I can't even pass school'. These expectations are
one of the largest factors leading to dropping out. If your level of
English and understanding is not of that level, you are up against it
from the word go."
Homework clubs and extra English lessons can provide
intensive help. Senior Constable Dove works closely with staff at the
Wyndham Community and Education Centre. With its support, he wrote a
book for Karen children, Us Karen, that tells of their journey to Australia, with beautiful illustrations by Karen artist Tha Do.
He admits it's unusual for a police officer to be a children's author but says he loves to write in his limited spare time.
Jennie Barrera, the centre's chief executive, is also
determined to keep Karen youth in education. "A few years ago we found
they were well supported at the English language school and when they
arrived at secondary school they were full of hope and ambition," she
says. "Many of them then experienced failure because they were not well
supported."
Her organisation has responded by running many settlement and
education services, including VCAL classes catering to those aged 20 to
24.
Among the centre's many success stories is Joanna Weeku, who
spends her days teaching other refugees to cook at the Saffron Kitchen
cafe in Werribee.
Ms Weeku still can't quite believe that since she arrived six
years ago she has learnt English, settled her three children in local
schools and has found work as a cafe supervisor in a job she loves.
Saffron is a social enterprise cafe that runs from two
locations and also provides catering to local firms. Such contracts
provide valuable hospitality experience for young Karen, other refugees
and disadvantaged people who work there as part of the VCAL program or
as volunteers.
Ms Weeku was named Victoria's Adult Community Education
Outstanding Learner for 2010. She was thrilled to receive the award but
recognises many refugees don't get the same opportunities. She feels
fortunate that her children, who attend Werribee Primary School and
Werribee Secondary College, get English language support and attend
homework clubs. "This makes such a difference," she says.
Senior Constable Dove is also involved in some centre programs because he sees them as a "crime prevention tool".
"The Karen are less involved in crime than some other groups
because they have a strong belief in submission to authority. They are
truly humble," he says.
But such characteristics can mean they sometimes don't seek
help. Those who receive it flourish. "A lot of our young people have
gone on to further study, apprenticeships or work," says Ms Barrera.
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