eNews #5, July 2024.
- Theresa Sengaaga Ssali
- Dec 15, 2024
- 11 min read
AWAFN Strategic Planning Workshops
It was an enthusiastic start to the African Women's and Families Network (AWAFN) 2024 Strategic Planning process when members and supporters gathered at the Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre in Faraday Street Carlton on 15 June.
This, the first of two planning days was marked by insightful and constructive ideas and suggestions from the group as they considered how to guide the organisation towards a bright future over the period up to 2030.
As a relatively small but highly respected community organisation established in 2011, AWAFN has created many constructive opportunities for women and their families to grow, learn and experience connectedness in a safe environment over the years. The 2024 planning sessions were designed to explore how to build on these foundations, set future realistic but ambitious goals resulting in a Strategic Plan 2025-2030 document to guide AWAFN into the next phase of its development.
Particular points of discussion included why does AWAFN exist? What are the challenges we face? What will be our key strategic areas of focus, and how do we build a robust, well- governed organisation. There were lots of interesting conversations that resulted in consensus about our way forward; the organisation is looking forward to finalising the new Strategic Plan and sharing it with our members and supporters.
Those who attended the 15 June and 22 June sessions were welcomed by the AWAFN Chairperson Ms Theresa Sengaaga Ssali and guided in the deliberations by our facilitator, Mr Richard Dent OAM, who very generously gave freely of his time - a huge thank you to Richard for his effort, expertise and experience.
AWAFN Celebrates Organ Donation Week on August 3rd.
Everyone is invited to get along to the African Women's and Families Network (AWAFN) event titled "Let Me Tell You a Story" and celebrate Organ Donation Week on Saturday 3 August 2024 at The Castle, 61 Princes Highway, Dandenong. Join us for a 12.30pm start and enjoy a fun afternoon with the whole family, where there will be face-painting and showbag giveaways as well as music and storytelling. Enjoy entertainment while learning about the benefits of organ donation and how important it can be for some families.
As numbers are limited, please register for the event using this trybooking link.
Introducing AWAFN Board Member Janipher Nambooze
Janipher Nambooze is a Registered Nurse and trained Midwife, with over fifteen years of Nursing experience. She is passionate about Public Health, Community Health Education and is driven by a passion for Women’s and Children’s Health. She has worked extensively in Southern Africa, New Zealand and Australia, in both regional and Metropolitan Health Services. She is currently working at Werribee Mercy Hospital Emergency Department.
Janipher advocates for progress being made in combating the prevalence of Domestic Violence and says 'reality dictates we must do something differently'. She understands the importance of lived experience: “I can’t take your journey for you, but I can try and make it better', she says.
Janipher is the founder of Blossom Girls, an initiative to promote Menstrual Health and Hygiene in Pre-Teens and Teenagers. The program is rolled out through Health Education. Target groups include schools, community groups, and individual families.
Janipher is also a published author of children’s books – a series called “Learning My Native Language”- which so far has been published in three languages - Swahili, Luganda and Shona - with more to come.
Learning My Native Language is a children’s language picture book that translates English to the native languages. It illustrates various daily activities in different home settings around the world. Due to a lot of migration, the young generation is at risk of losing their heritage. The ability to speak the basics of one's Native language is paramount. We should not weaken the connection to our cultures and country of origin. Parents and children will be delighted that this Edition was added to their bookshelf.
Janipher is privileged to be part and serve various migrant community organisations around Victoria - including AWAFN. She is married to Mr Malvern Gwizo and they are blessed with three beautiful daughters. 'We are a very creative family and spend our spare time on DIY and cycling projects', she says.
Celebrating Our Carers
Last Saturday AWAFN hosted a Multicultural Carers Celebration Lunch in partnership with Carers Australia Victoria and supported by the Uganda Pearl of Africa Victorian Association (UPAVA).
It was held at the Afghan Salang Restaurant & Cafe in Lonsdale Street, Dandenong with the following aims:
To create a space for carers, care participants and communities to connect and increase their access to local carers support services
To share experiences and to make new connections
Awareness raising and understanding of the issues affecting carers and communities from newly arrived diverse cultural backgrounds, with limited English language skills from small community groups.
It was a full house and a great time was had by all. Guests and speakers included: the Hon Julian Hill MP, Hon Belinda Wilson MP, and AWAFN sponsor Mr Bruce Wong (MAICD) . Our MC was our AWAFN Project Officer, the talented Katinda Ndola. African Drumming entertainment was provided by the also very talented Kofi Kunkpe. Other speakers included Stephen Yin (Australian Emotional Wellbeing Institute), Moreen Pakwan (Carers Victoria), Dr Medha Gunawardana (AMCS), Hayat Doughan (ECCV), Kei Murakami (Alfred Hospital) and Sarah Chong (MiCare). Janipher Nambooze and Nyawaraga Jushua shared their Carers experience; and of course our AWAFN President, Theresa Sengaaga Ssali, who opened and kept a watchful eye over proceedings.
Bruce Wong wears many hats!
One of our guests at last Saturday's Carers Lunch was Bruce Wong (MAICD). Bruce is a visionary Australian entrepreneur and philanthropist who has had a remarkable 40-year journey since arriving in Australia as a refugee from Cambodia in 1980. As a successful business man, he has established several businesses including FOOT SOLUTIONS, Australia’s foremost foot and ankle clinic.
As a philanthropist, he supports many small organisations who work in the multicultural space. Closer to home Bruce has been a generous supporter of the African Women’s and Families Network in recent years.
After Saturday's Carers Lunch, Bruce said: "Thank you to the African Women’s and Families Network for hosting a very special event to acknowledge and celebrate our multicultural carers, the unsung heroes of our communities."
He added: "I am proud that Foot Solutions Australia, through its philanthropic arm, has been able to play a small role in supporting this amazing organisation over the last six months to deliver incredible initiatives that truly make a difference in our communities."
"For those who know a carer or have one in your family, please make sure to support and look after them. Carers in our communities are at significantly higher risk of poorer mental health and wellbeing than the rest of us. They report social isolation and loneliness at two to three times the rate of the general population.
Thank you, Teresa and the team, for all that you do for our communities. My best wishes and continued success as the organisation undergoes a transformative phase,” Bruce said.
Who is AWAFN?
The African Women’s and Families Network (AWAFN) is a Victoria-wide grassroots, not‑for‑profit community organisation founded in 2011.
Our team of volunteers provide culturally appropriate settlement assistance and support for African Australians and new diverse small community groups and individuals to enhance their skills, gain access to education pathways, employment, community resources and socialise with the broader Australian community.
AWAFN membership is open to all women, men & young people from diverse faiths, communities, and organisations, who support our constitution and our other legal obligations.
Our Objectives
To examine ways in which community services in Victoria can be more equitable and accessible to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, in particular the African Australian communities.
To examine gaps in service delivery to CALD communities, advocate to the appropriate authorities to address these gaps and foster collaborative partnerships between service providers and multicultural communities in response to emerging needs.
Develop partnerships with other organisations and services to ensure African Australian communities have access to employment and education pathways.
What We Do
AWAFN with its network of independent organisations, leads in proactively responding to diverse settlement and integration needs of African Australians in Victoria; and newly arrived diverse women, men, youth, older persons, and their families through
Capacity building
Linking people and communities to services and advocating for them
Creating advantages and opportunities through vocational training and professional resources
Strong relationships through respect, value building and appreciation
Proactive engagements, partnerships and lobbying
Community mobilisation & cross-cultural competencies
Our Current Funded Programs
Additional Carers Support Services for African Australians and New Diverse Communities – Victorian State Government funded
Diverse Multicultural Carers Celebration Buffet Lunch – Supported by Carers Australia Victoria
Fortnightly fresh produce & non-perishable food distribution in collaboration with Amurtel - Ananda Marga Universal Disaster Relief and Community Support
Donate Life – Organ Donation Authority Project
Recently completed programs
Multicultural Muslim Women Only Swimming lessons – City of Monash
Youth Engagement Activities; girls netball, boys basketball & children swimming lessons – Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria
Beach Water Safety Program – Life Saving Victoria (LSV)
The 2024 AWAFN AGM is on July 27th
This year's African Women’s and Families Network members and supporters Annual General Meeting will be held on-line on Saturday afternoon, 27 July 2024 at 4.00pm via Zoom - all members and supporters welcome!
Register by sending an email to tssali@hotmail.com.au. You will be sent a Zoom meeting invite around one week before the meeting.
Other News from the Wider Multicultural Sector
Outstanding Multicultural Leadership Opportunity
AWAFN is a member of the Ethnic Communities' Council of Victoria. ECCV has begun the recruitment process for an experienced and inspirational Chief Executive Officer. ECCV Chairperson Eddie Micallef says this was an exciting opportunity to lead ECCV into its next chapter. Building on ECCV’s 50-year legacy in multicultural affairs, the CEO will lead the implementation of the 2025-30 Strategic Plan ensuring that ECCV remains a leading voice for culturally diverse Victorians. The CEO will drive and shape multicultural policy while supporting members, community, business, and government to build an inclusive and diverse society.
The Chief Executive Officer role presents a unique opportunity for a purpose-driven and outcome-focused CEO to lead a well-established, well-respected organisation on its next chapter towards growth and sustainability. Interested candidates are invited to submit their CV and a cover letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria to ECCV Chairperson Eddie Micallef by emailing Office Manager, Ozana Bozic, at obozic@eccv.org.au. For more information about this outstanding leadership opportunity, please click here.
Harmony Alliance: Migrant and Refugee Women for Change
Harmony Alliance is Australia’s national migrant and refugee women’s coalition. It was established in 2017 and is one of the six National Women’s Alliances working to promote the views of all Australian women, to ensure our voices are heard in decision-making processes. Harmony Alliance is a member-driven organisation, providing a platform for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds to advocate on issues that matter to us.
The objectives of the Alliance are to enable an effective voice for migrant and refugee women in domestic and international policy; to advance migrant and refugee women’s participation in economic, social, cultural, civil and political life; and to strengthen a strategic approach to the empowerment of migrant and refugee women across policy areas. Visit the website.
The Boite Brings Africa to Ballarat
On Sunday 23 June, the second of a three-part series of Boite concerts in Ballarat featured some of the finest African performers Australia can offer. The afternoon opened with an enormously energetic show from Makepisi, a South African male vocal five-piece. Their mighty harmonies, powerful voices and humorous presentation were arresting and lots of fun, and they had the audience onside from the first chord. They sang a mix of traditional and original songs, from both South Africa and from local song writers, including Valanga Khoza, founder of the group, and some from the performers on stage.
The men’s singing was incredibly compelling and listeners were intensely focussed on the performance. In the final song, the singers stepped away from the microphones and moved off stage and among the audience. It gave everyone a chance to hear the harmonies acoustically, unmediated by amplification, as it would sound in a village or township in South Africa. Tremendously exciting!
After an incredibly cute performance from Hanz On Percussion a local, Ballarat youth group of very young, very competent players, Sudanese singer Ajak Kwai took to the stage with her band.
Ajak’s songs were accompanied by characteristic repetitive riffs on guitar, bass, keys and drums. She spoke about the position of Africans in Australia, of her gratitude for being able to make a life here, and her concerns about some of the negativity that is sometimes expressed. Her heartfelt plea that the African population not become a tool in the forthcoming election in Australia was the subject of an original song, and received warm and extensive applause.
As always, Ajak graced the stage with glamour and prevailed upon audience members to leave their chairs and dance!
It was an afternoon of rhythm and enjoyment.
(with thanks to Therese Virtue OAM)
Melbourne Premiere of New African-Australian Theatre Production
La Belle Epoque is a text-based play by Future Destin with integrated archival and live video, performed by actors of African heritage. It comprises several interweaving narratives that combine to tell the story of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The play charts the history of discovery and exploitation of resources in the DRC such as slaves, rubber, diamonds and rare earth minerals from pre-colonial times to the modern day, exposing the supply chain together with the people who are beneficiaries of these resources - the Wealthy West.
It tells the story of a quartet of young African Australians, focusing on the central relationship of Chris, a Congolese refugee and Isioma, a Nigerian Australian who came to Australia with her migrant parents when she was a baby. Chris is an aspiring actor who also runs a small import business. Isioma is studying political science at University and is hoping to become an influencer through social media. Chris and Isioma have been going out for three years and although Isioma notionally lives with her parents in the suburbs, she spends most days and nights at Chris’ modest studio apartment.
See 'La Belle Epoque' at St Kilda's Theatre Works from 10 to 20 July - get tickets here.
Future has also written a novel called Prize Fighter.
And sample one of Future Destin's music videos - click here.
Western Sydney Gets Australia's First African Film Festival
Africa Film Fest Australia is a community driven film festival that presents films from Africa, its diaspora and Afro Australian filmmakers.
The festival will showcase the depth and complexity of African heritage, curated and coordinated by African-Australians, and offer attendees a unique and genuine perspective of African stories and the chance for audiences to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of African cinema.
On at the Riverside Theatres in Parramatta from July 19 to July 21, 2024. Check it out.
Vale Stefan Romaniw OAM
AWAFN was saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Stefan Romaniw last Wednesday. Stefan was a remarkable leader selflessly dedicated to the Ukrainian community, multicultural Victoria and a diverse, vibrant Australia. He was Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission 1997 to 2001; and he played a leadership role with many other organisations including as Chairperson of the Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) Board 2004 to 2016. He had been the Executive Director of Community Languages Australia for the past two decades.
"He taught many the importance of resilience and the power of kindness and the value of integrity and humour in all we do. He believed multiculturalism was for everyone", wrote ECCV Deputy Chairperson, and former MAV CEO ( 2003- 2018), Jill Morgan AM a couple of days ago.
Stefan Romaniw's decades-long contributions to multiculturalism and social cohesion will leave a lasting legacy.
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Disclaimer: The AWAFN eNews publishes content as it’s contributed or sourced with minimal editing. Material included does not necessarily reflect the views of the editor nor the AWAFN Board, nor should its inclusion be seen to necessarily constitute an endorsement.
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