This year, Adelaide University provided 40 scholarships to Refugees and Disadvantaged People which provided all tuition fees and an annual stipend of $5,000. Once scholarship holders received the stipend, Centrelink ceased payment of Student Allowances. This put them under undue pressure to earn to survive and COFA has been supporting a refugee with his living expenses. COFA alerted the University about this dilemma and contact was made with the Scholarships Office. They are looking at ways which will provide better support for all the refugee students. A meeting will be held soon to discuss ways in which COFA can cooperate with Adelaide University to support these refugee students so they can continue their studies and achieve their academic goals.
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Tutoring assistance for refugee students
If you know of any refugee students who could be helped with tutoring in their studies, do contact COFA by phone (0407 532 116) or email and register for this assistance. All the teaching students are undertaking studies in a major field, whether, Science, Maths, Arts, Music, or Physical Education, etc so they can be matched with the requirements of the refugee students. They also have Working With Children Clearances, so you can be assured that your refugee students will be in the best hands.
Ride the Wave
This is absolutely great news that Circle 111 has received, that in response their request to Surf Life Saving SA, a grant has been made by the State Government to SLSSA to provide water safety education to 150 refugee and asylum seeker individuals and families.
The Law of Ten Fold Return
There are ancient writings in many cultures about giving. One suggests that if you cast your bread on the waters it will return to you many days later. Another suggests that whatever you give in love will come back to you ten times over.
Some years ago, people from far western areas of what is now China, were refugees and came to Australia. These Uyghurs have now made their home and life here and they want to thank members of Circles for assisting them when they first arrived. Recently Circle members have experienced two wonderful events as guests of the Uyghur community in Adelaide. Their gratitude is profound. Their generosity is boundless.
The little we may have done long ago has come back to us many times over. We do not give for reward, but this ancient natural law is alive today. I am sure you know what I mean.
A Feast of Three Cultures
In February, Circle 7 at Blackwood, held a “Feast of Three Cultures” at the hall of Blackwood Uniting Church. The 110 people who attended were treated to scrumptious food from the Persian, Sri Lankan Tamil, and Eastern Mediterranean traditions, being countries and regions from which many of our refugees have come. Our primary objective was to raise the awareness of members of the local community of the plight and value of refugees.
Last September, Mitcham City Council considered a resolution proposed by Council and Circle 7 member Karen Hockley. The Council resolved to confirm its continuing support of cultural diversity, and to state that the City of Mitcham is migrant friendly and welcomes migrants, including refugees. In doing so, the Council became the 29th in Australia to declare itself friendly and welcoming to refugees.
Putting its resolution into action, the Council agreed to provide Circle 7 with a generous community development grant towards the event. This kept ticket prices low, leading to the event becoming a sell-out.
The community awareness objective was put into effect in three ways. First, the food was full of delightful culinary surprises, reminding us of the cultural diversity contributed to Australia by refugees. Second, there was a sprinkling of refugee families present. They, and the caterers who hailed from the three regions, were generous in talking with guests. Their conversations and evident humanity reminded us how lucky we are to have them in our midst. Third, after the meal, our convener, Tricia Rushton, moderated an inspiring session in which refugees and other immigrants told us their stories.
We had budgeted just to make a small financial surplus. However, many guests, moved we believe particularly by refugees’ stories, contributed generous unexpected donations. We have been able apply all the $2000 surplus to the support of refugees and asylum seekers known to us in our community, or referred to us by welfare agencies like Australian Red Cross.
Finally, the event seemed to be greatly enjoyed by all. For this we thank Mitcham City Council, represented by guests-of-honour Mayor Glen Spear and Mrs. Spear plus two elected members; the food preparers and servers; Blackwood Uniting Church; and Circle 7’s hardworking and creative team.