Closing the gap one community at a time: Aboriginal Volunteer Program. oodnadatta

Transcription

1 Closing the gap one community at a time: Aboriginal Volunteer Program oodnadatta

2 Our story In July 2012, two young Aboriginal volunteers travelled to Oodnadatta - South Australia, to participate in a 10-week pilot program, contributing to locally identified community projects. Supported by Volunteering SA & NT, South Australia s Aboriginal Reference Group and Australian Volunteers International, it was hoped that the success of the first pilot project would pave the way for greater numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to participate. We are pleased to report that this goal has been achieved via the successful establishment of the Aboriginal Volunteer Program (AVP) now entering its fourth year. In both 2013 and 2014, the AVP received support from a range of invested philanthropic donors. This, coupled with the partnership with the Oodnadatta community enabled the roll out of the second and third phase of the pilot community-based, youth-led Aboriginal Volunteer Program in Oodnadatta. Photo: Elder with one of her garden pots first planted with AVP volunteers in Funding was utilised to scope out potential community development projects, recruit suitable volunteers, provide pre-departure and in-country briefings, cover community projects costs, post-assignment volunteer debriefings and support monitoring and evaluation activities. Upon completion of the 10-week program in 2015, both volunteers and local community members were interviewed to assess the impact of the project achievements are reported here and in the pages following. Volunteers one-on-one literacy work with students at the Oodnadatta Aboriginal School led to notable improvements in literacy rates. A cultural story-telling project shared with community members at a school assembly improved the connection between home and school learning, and after school activities and movie nights helped to strengthen community cohesiveness. All the while, the effective role modelling of the Aboriginal volunteers was an underlying and powerful achievement. Women from the Aboriginal Women s Shed created a local recipe book, prepared a local arts and crafts tourism survey and achieved new skills in product development, while Elders worked with the volunteers on a cemetery burial register. Systems were also put in place to develop and maintain a management plan for the sustainability of trees planted in previous programs. 1

3 A whole community s success A snapshot of sustainable outcomes achieved against the AVP program objectives, including project goals identified by the Oodnadatta community at the beginning of the program. Program Objective: Oodnadatta community participate with volunteers in carrying out locally-identified community development projects. Working in conjunction with Oodnadatta community members and organisations, including Elders, local women, young people in the town, the Oodnadatta Aboriginal School, the Dunjiba Community Council and the Bungala Home and Community Care (Aged-Care Facility) each volunteer spent 10-weeks contributing to the following sustainable outcomes: Notable improvements in the literacy skills of primary students and comprehension levels of the senior students at the Oodnadatta Aboriginal School were achieved as a result of volunteers supporting teachers in intensive one-on-one work with students, and daily practice in reading aloud. The contribution of volunteers efforts over three years has reaped tangible and significant leaps in the confidence and progress of students (refer to Chart One). 1 volunteer + 1 student = 17 months reading improvement in just 10 weeks MONTHS Improvement in Student Reading Levels over Term 2, (2 months) 2015 Waddington Diagnostic Reading Test MIDDLE PRIMARY STUDENTS The work the volunteers do is fabulous for this school and community and I would love to see it continue! Myf Spencer-Smith, Teacher, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School. Expected Level of Reading Improvements in 2 months Reading Improvements Achieved Chart One: Students were tested before and after one-on-one reading support with the Aboriginal volunteers. The red in the graph demonstrates that each student advanced significantly in their reading after working one-on-one with the volunteers for just one term. Seven out of the nine Middle Primary Students advanced between three and 17 months in this time-frame when the expected average improvement would be two months. 2

4 Enhancing opportunities for parents and care-givers to become involved in their children s literacy activities was a program goal from the beginning of the 2012 AVP. By 2015, this resulted in a literacy event where the volunteers worked with students across a number of grades to write a cultural story, prepare props and present it in an interactive performance at an assembly attended by community members. It was the story of the Nintaka or Perentie. The Principal of the school reported the additional benefit of the volunteers injecting cultural competence into the classroom and the foundation it created for more connection between home and school learning. Young people participated in a range of after school and evening activities facilitated by the volunteers; this was in line with community aspirations for the AVP. Two movie nights were held, one at the school and one at the community s outdoor walk-in cinema with some Year 9 students making and distributing posters and planning the refreshments for the events. One of the volunteers donated guitars to the school and in conjunction with a teacher, students took up after school guitar lessons. And despite being in AFL territory, the students also enjoyed learning rugby after school with AVP volunteer, Bryce Taylor building on the successful initiatives of the former Aboriginal volunteers. It was particularly powerful. It would not have happened if the volunteers had not themselves been Aboriginal. Aaron Holder, Principal, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School. Awesome, always out with the children after school. Aaron Holder, Principal, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School. Fantastic role-modelling, particularly for teenagers thinking of dropping out. Jenni Wall, Teacher, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School. The Aboriginal women at the Women s Shed took another step forward towards reaching their goal of creating an Arts and Crafts Social Enterprise where they are preparing to create and sell products made by them. With the support of the volunteers, a tourism marketing survey was developed and trialled to determine tourist interest in visiting the centre and purchasing products. What the volunteers offered us (with the survey) was a simple thing that other people or communities might take for granted. Volunteers bring this; little things - it s the little things that help the community be creative and develop their skills. Marilyn AcChee, Chairperson, Dunjiba Community Council. Photo: A poster created by local volunteers to advertise a community movie night event. The volunteers also worked with the women to increase their range of products, developing a sample recipe book and teaching knitting and crocheting. The AVP recently secured funding to enable the women to scope out what is needed to set up an Aboriginal-run Arts and Crafts Social Enterprise and this will occur in the next volunteer program. Photo: Local Women s Shed participant enjoying one of the beanie creations made with 2015 AVP volunteer, Reese Salmon. 3

5 The first step in creating an Oodnadatta Cemetery Burial Register was completed. This involved developing a People Register and a Site Register and an overlay of the cemetery plan with sections and rows. Data was compiled from local knowledge, information from Genealogy SA and Outback Communities Authority and the Henderson Oodnadatta s Cemeteries Report Aboriginal Elders took the lead in this project taking volunteers to burial sites in the sand hills and contributing to and editing data. The Manager of the Aged Care Services reported that the project drew in Elders who had never been involved before. They felt they were contributing by telling their story so that it will not be lost - it provided an opportunity for them to reconnect with their past in a positive way - helping them to heal their spirits. Roseanne Woodforde, Manager, Bungala Home and Community Care (Aged-Care Facility). Aged Care residents had formed a strong connection with the AVP volunteers in previous programs and this continued into the 2015 program. The Elders maintained their interest in gardening, generated in the first AVP. This project achieved important results - Elders being active and eating their home grown vegetables and inter-generational activities with story-telling, strengthening knowledge and culture. The garden and cemetery projects got them up. They were motivated instead of sitting around all day. In addition, the volunteers have so much respect for the Elders and the Elders noted this and from it their own self confidence grew. Roseanne Woodforde, Manager, Bungala Home and Community Care (Aged-Care Facility). Photo: Progression of the beautification of the entrance to the Women s Shed. Photos: Citrus trees planted by AVP volunteers in 2012 are still going strong due to care from ground staff at the school. In 2015, AVP volunteers carried out soil-testing to assist the citrus trees in producing fruit. With an emphasis on achieving project sustainability, the 2015 AVP volunteers completed an audit of citrus trees. This included leaf assessment, soil and water testing and analysis of the results by two agronomists. A meeting was organised by the volunteers between the agronomist and local community members taking care of the trees, and a management plan was drawn up to nurture and improve tree growth. Implementation of the plan began in spring Photo: 2015 AVP volunteer, Reese Salmon giving after school guitar lessons to students at the Oodnadatta Aboriginal School. 4

6 Program Objective: Volunteers gain the confidence and skills to participate in and contribute to community life. The young Aboriginal and community volunteers found their participation in the pilot project enormously rewarding, with valuable lessons for their own lives, and those of their own communities. I don t think I have ever been so productive I know it is going to be one of the best experiences of my life. Reese Salmon, Volunteer, Aboriginal Volunteer Program Inter-personal relationships were facilitated, as well as increased personal growth, resilience, self-confidence, and a stronger sense of one s place in the community. If you want to learn leadership skills, do this. You grow as a person as it takes you out of your comfort zone; you get a huge boost from this and you make lifelong friends which is invaluable. Reese Salmon, Volunteer, Aboriginal Volunteer Program Photo: Local community volunteer, Sophie Bailes with AVP volunteer Reese Salmon; awarded a Certificate of Participation at the end of the 2015 AVP. Positive role modelling is now viewed as one of the most significant achievements of the AVP. It permeated throughout the 2015 program with community feedback demonstrating its impact: They (the volunteers) were fantastic role models. They were always on time, professional, polite, took initiative, engaged with the kids and the kids loved them. Aaron Holder, Principal, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School. The boys (students) were becoming more and more confident through engaging with the (male) volunteer. They were finishing their work now. They got the girls going too. Jenni Wall, Teacher, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School. They have shown so much respect for people, especially the Elders; the Elders noted this. These two young people adapted and got on so well, embraced the community and the community embraced them we want this ongoing they will always be part of the community. Roseanne Woodforde, Manager, Bungala Home and Community Care (Aged Care Facility). I think I made a difference in the kids attitudes. I planted a few ideas. One student was now coming back to school after lunch. Reese Salmon, Volunteer, Aboriginal Volunteer Program They role modelled that you can finish year 12, go to uni, there is more to life than sitting in a community. Jenni Wall, Teacher, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School. I spent time with her (the local community volunteer) going through her career and uni choices. Reese Salmon, Volunteer, Aboriginal Volunteer Program

7 Wider program impact Program Objective: To provide evidence and advocacy material to generate support for an ongoing Aboriginal Volunteering Program. Community understanding about the value of volunteering exponentially improved, for example: Two local young Aboriginal people, supported by their families, stepped forward to be involved with the AVP. During the 2015 program, they became involved as community members and progressed formal volunteer requirements, such as police and working with children checks to set them in good stead for being ready to volunteer in the future. The community recognised that volunteering provided an impetus for action. We have been waiting over twelve months, it s only small but the volunteer did an undercoat on the community hall and then community members came in and finished it off. Jenni Wall, Teacher, Oodnadatta Aboriginal School. Community recognition and appreciation of appropriate volunteer management practices came further into focus. The school participated in developing a formal School Volunteer Role Description for the volunteers while they were in the school, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the volunteers work in the school. The compulsory working with children checks had a raised profile by the SA State Government during this program and the school prepared its own Volunteer Policy and Volunteer Agreement to align with this development. Photo: AVP volunteer, Bryce Taylor, working on community hall project. With a whole of community approach, the AVP has been a driver in facilitating collective impact in Oodnadatta. This has occurred in a number of ways: Drawing government, non-government and corporate service providers together to work collaboratively towards meeting community development goals. Government agencies and NGOs seeking involvement with the AVP as a mechanism to tap into community to achieve their own goals. Working with all groups in the community has had a collective impact on raising community hopes and aspirations for what can be achieved, as well as enhancing a sense of community. The success of the AVP has also had flow on benefits with AVI gaining a partnership with the Classic Wallabies Exchange Program, which supports young Aboriginal people to volunteer for five weeks in South Africa. Three of the AVP returned volunteers participated in this program, two becoming team leaders. The third, also in a team leader role, supported a group of Aboriginal and non-aboriginal people to volunteer in Vanuatu. 6

8 Making a difference We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support. Your contribution has made a significant difference to the lives of the young Aboriginal volunteers, their own communities and the community of Oodnadatta. Through your support, the Aboriginal Volunteer Program has achieved community aspirations and contributed to nationally and globally relevant development goals for the people of Oodnadatta. Photo: Elders attending 2015 AVP community barbeque to meet the volunteers and discuss projects. Photo: Local community volunteer, Jeffrey Mack with AVP volunteer Bryce Taylor and ARG Chairperson, Bruce Hammond; awarded a Certificate of Participation at the end of the 2015 AVP. Photo: Local community members, volunteers and AVP staff enjoying a community barbeque together to meet the volunteers and discuss projects. Photo: Local community women participating in an activity led by AVP volunteer. Photo: Local women have continued to transform the Women s Shed. AVP volunteers have worked with local women over the three programs to enhance the space from a dilapidated shed to a space for the women to enjoy, create and build a foundation for a Social Enterprise to develop selling locally-created Aboriginal arts and crafts. 7

9 Key ingredients for success and sustainability The counsel and engagement of Aboriginal people in project development and oversight, as per the project s Aboriginal Reference Group; Partnership with community members, with a role in creating the vision and participating in implementation and evaluation of the model; Aboriginal cultural respect being the key guiding value, informing every area of practice; A place-based approach, defining complex issues, sharing learning and fostering integration across the silos; Using multiple pathways to achieve solutions; Ongoing measurement to achieve positive and consistent progress, as well as to inform tweaks to program design and delivery; Involving multiple stakeholders and building collaborative relationships; Building a backbone of resources for sustaining the program via a range of skills and experience, and diverse funding from donors, business and government; Well-selected, well-trained volunteers and a program management team with strong skills and knowledge in community development values and principles; Partner organisations committed to working towards an enabling environment for young Aboriginal people to take up leadership and volunteering opportunities beyond the AVP; The AVP s approach is on the cutting edge of the world s new Sustainable Development Goals to reduce inequality in all forms, everywhere. Acting in collaborative partnership and utilising volunteering as a cross-cutting means of implementation is seen as essential in the achievement of all 17 goals. Namely the AVP directly addresses goals 3, 4, 8, 10 and 17. It s the way of the future and intrinsic for the success of any community - local, national, international to reach their potential. 8

10 A key ingredient to the ongoing success of this program is the foundational and ongoing support from senior Aboriginal Elders both in Adelaide and Oodnadatta. Expertise drawn from many sources including the Dunjiba Aboriginal Council and Oodnadatta community, the Aboriginal Reference Group -Volunteering SA&NT, VSA&NT Board and staff and the significant, and highly regarded, partnership with Australian Volunteers International and supportive agencies and sponsors has ensured a program that has proven to deliver outcomes in a short timeframe not achieved using current mainstream processes. This project is different from the blow in, blow out style that communities like Oodnadatta see so often. It s something community members can be proud of, something they own, that can be sustainable and successful over the long term. It s a community development model that at its core is respectful and inclusive and is genuinely about building better communities, together. Bruce Hammond, Chair, Aboriginal Reference Group. Designed by Tahnee Edwards