Horn of Africa Communities Network Inc.

Horn of Africa Communities Network Inc. might be assumed that family obligations would create Newsletter - Issue 4, 2014 Address: 3 Pilgrim Street, Footscray Office Hours: 9.00am 4:30pm Monday Friday Phone: 03 9689 2586 Email: hacn@bigpond.net.au Website: www.hacn.org.au It needs a whole village to raise a child One of the many reasons most of newly arrived migrants give for coming to Australia is to escape war and genocide in their original home country and a desire to provide better educational and economic opportunities to their families and children. It is also evident that the children in migrant families are well aware of their parents motivations for coming to Australia. By the time they reach adolescence, many children with foreign-born parents acknowledge their parents efforts and cite their parents sacrifices as sources of motivation for trying to succeed in Australian society. As a migrant from refugee background, community leader and parent, we can attest the dynamics of family settlement and the intergenerational conflict arises in the process of children s strong sense of obligation, the contribution of that sense of obligation to their overall wellbeing, and obligation as a source of academic motivation as well as an important consideration in life decisions. On the other hand, given the emphasis on individuality and independence in Australian society, it might be assumed that family obligations would create a difference. Lack of culturally and linguistically responsive parenting support is also the other issue that needs to be highlighted in contributing in slowing the process of integration leading into considerable intergenerational conflict among the families themselves. Developing a sense of belonging is a matter that needs to be nurtured by the entire local community including parents, elders, young people, faith leaders, politicians, media, law enforcing institutions and schools. Things might go in different direction particularly at a time when teachers at school, faith leaders and frustrated parents couldn t play the role they are expected by the young people who are missing the right support, mentorship and guidance. Before the situation gets out of hand, it is important for parents to say that what happening is wrong, and to stand up against it. I think instinct could tell whether our child is lost, confused and not knowing what is best not to be radicalized. That is the time when mum and dad need to focus and be frank by saying the culture I ve been brought up with is that you be

confident, mix with all races and communicate and this will drive wedges between different communities. It is also good to pay attention to what is happening at school and religion study centres. Most of us fled our war torn home country to rescue family and provide them an opportunity to live in a country where human right and justice is not comprised at all. However, most parents appear very concerned and not knowing whether young people receive a balanced all-round spiritual education. They also report the unsatisfactory access to local support services at a time when preventive or intervention measure needed by themselves or their young people. Being radicalized is a complex issue which involves local as well as international influences. We also can t undermine the issue as it is impossible to keep it under control by the parents and their children s effort without calling for an integrated effort. Yes, indeed what we agree to assist is follow the African say it needs the whole village to raise a child. That is why we urge our community to unite and maintain our Australian values and norms as well as this great lifestyle. Partnership for Capacity Building: HACN is happy to announce that it has developed a working partnership agreement with Annecto and plans to participate in developing a Speakers Bank that would advocate, raise awareness and provide community education regarding the issues of people with disability and elderly people residing in Melbourne. Annecto is an incorporated non-profit specialist service provider. Operating from a social inclusion and human rights perspective, Annecto has a strong commitment to assisting people with dementia, intecttual disability and acquired brain injury, older people and their families and carers to engage and participate in the community with the aim to live better lives in a home of their choice. Speakers Bank is a group of people with a personal experience of disabilities, all of whom are trained in public speaking and are available to share with the community the story of their lives, their issues and their challenges. Speakers Bank creates an environment in which people experiencing barriers to community participation (in this case of disability) can engage with and make their unique contribution to the wider community. Joint initiatives to address needs of CALD elders: HACN has also established a working relationship with Great In Home and Community Care (GIHCC). This working relationship will be promoted in the coming years to develop programs and activities that would help to engage African men and women. GIHCC provides culturally and linguistically responsive support to people with low to moderate home care needs. This includes social and group activities, domestic assistance, disability support, care for carers. 2

Excursions to residential and respite care of Australian Unity: HACN have organized excursions to participate in the Australian Unity Respite Care services. Migrant elders for Burma and Africa have participated in the opening ceremony at the De Tour to have a look at the different services and facilities available. They are also provided with practical information as how to access the respite care services. Melika Yasin Sheik Eldin have been recognized by Celebration of African Australians Inc and have been named one of the 100 most influential African Australians. Community Profile: South Sudan: The world s newest country Celebration of African Australians African Australians contribute so much to this great country. Behind the successes of African Australians are several Australian organizations, businesses and individuals that empower and support the African community in a unique way. The aim of Celebration of African Australians Inc ( Celebrate ) is to celebrate, appreciate and showcase the contributions of African Australians to the collective growth and prosperity. Our own HACN s Management Committee members Ms. Elleni Bereded Samuel, Mr. Terefe Aborete and Dr. The Republic of South Sudan is located in the northeast region of the continent, bordering six other African nations: Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda. South Sudan has an estimated population of 8,260,490 people and is ethically and culturally diverse with approximately 600 varying ethnic groups existing throughout the country. The Republic of Sudan is the world s youngest nation officially established on 9 th of July 2011. The South Sudanese have fought for this independence for decades in an ongoing civil war between the north and the south since 1956. There was a brief period between 1972 and 1983 by negotiations between South Sudanese insurgents, the Anya 3

Nya, and the Sudanese Government at Addis Abbaba. People of South Sudan: Sudanese festival in the month of October/November: Eid al-adh is celebrated on October 5 th. At the Eid al-adh, the Feast of the Great Sacrifice, it is customary to kill a sheep, and to give part of the meat to people who cannot afford it themselves. The Eid al-fitr, or Breaking of the Ramadan Fast, is another joyous occasion, and involves a large family meal. The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad is primarily a children's holiday, celebrated with special desserts: pink sugar dolls and sticky sweets made from nuts and sesame seeds. South Sudanese civil war: After decades of brutal civil war that left two and a half million dead, the devastated and vastly underdeveloped southern part of Sudan secured independence in 2011. The world s youngest nation came into existence amid great challenges. Secession from Sudan marked a major milestone and a fresh opportunity for South Sudanese. But massive state-corroding corruption, political instability within the ruling party, the Sudan People s Liberation Movement (SPLM), and persistent tensions with Sudan over the sharing of oil revenues left South Sudan deeply vulnerable to renewed conflict. On December 15, 2013, tensions between factions loyal to President Salva Kiir, of the Dinka ethnic group and those aligned with this former Vice President, Riek Machar, of the Nuer ethnic group, exploded into fighting on the streets of Juba, the capital city. South Sudan s dramatic return to war has torn communities apart and left countless thousands dead. As of September 2014, 1.8 million people were still too afraid to return to their homes. Even though, humanitarians have given assistance to over 3.1 million people in South Sudan, they estimate that atleast 2.2 million were still facing either crisis or emergency levels of food insecurity. This puts them at just one level under levels during a famine or humanitarian catastrophe. Humanitarian Concerns: Of the estimated 1.8 million people who remain displaced from their homes today, 1.35 million are within South Sudan and 543,600 have fled to neighboring countries. Nearly 100,000 civilians are currently sheltering on U.N. bases around the country as South Sudan. Efforts to combat famine have been successful through the end of the year, but humanitarians warn that this requires a Herculean effort. Continuing 4

to sustain that level of response may not be possible if violence continues. The conditions in Bentiu, the capital of oil-rich Unity state, represent a particularly appalling situation. Families are living knee-deep in water and fighting continues to threaten their safety. Women and girls are at risk of sexual violence, given cramped conditions and the breakdown in social and cultural norms as a result of the violence. Customs/ values and food: South Sudanese-born people often have a respect for culture and their elders. South Sudanese families are often very private and reluctant to discuss family conflict or issues with non-family members. Visitors in a South Sudanese home are often provided water initially, followed by food and tea or coffee. Receiving and sharing such hospitality is a sign of courtesy and respect. The day usually begins with a cup of tea. Breakfast is eaten in the mid- to late morning, generally consisting of beans, salad, liver, and bread. Millet is the staple food, and is prepared as a porridge called asida or a flat bread called kisra. Vegetables are prepared in stews or salads. Ful, a dish of broad beans cooked in oil, is common, as are cassavas and sweet potatoes. South Sudanese in Australia: Australia has assisted in resettling some of the worst affected people from Sudan and in the 2002-03 financial year, Sudan became the Humanitarian Migration Programme s top source country and has since provided more than 33% of programme arrivals. In the 2006 census, there were 19,049 South Sudanese-born Australian residents, making up 0.1% of the population. Many of the South Sudanese-born people recorded in the 2006 Australian census had arrived very recently. Between 1996 and 2005, the largest increase in Australian people born overseas were South Sudanese, at 28% per year. People of South Sudanese descent now live in almost every capital city in Australia, particularly Melbourne (5911), Sydney (5335) and Perth (1993). South Sudanese organizations in Victoria: South Sudan Equatorians Association Inc PO BOX 1080 Werribee Plaza Werribee Vic 3030 Ph: (03) 9351 1278 South Sudan Development Agency PO BOX 5359, Clayton Vic 3166 Ph: (03) 9543 3692 Southern Sudan Community of Australia 174 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy Vic 3065 Ph: (03) 9419 4349 5

Volunteers required!! We are looking for suitable volunteers who could provide office services in implementing HACN s administrative systems, procedures and policies, and monitoring administrative projects. Interested people can email their resumes to hacn@bigpond.net.au Advertisements!!! HACN has started to provide free computer repair services. Please refer any families / agencies who have problems with computers. We are looking for contributions to our newsletter. If you are interested in writing to us, please email us at hacn@bigpond.net.au 6