By Aneeka Simonis
PAKENHAM first Sudanese community group is expected to form in the next coming days – a strategy to initially unite South Sudanese residents with support from their own culture group as they attempt to integrate into the wider Cardinia Shire community.
Currently, there are no groups helping link South Sudanese residents together locally.
On Thursday 18 August, members from the region’s South Sudanese community are invited to meet at Pakenham Uniting Church to form the start of what intends to be a support network helping residents to first connect with each other – then provide assisted support as they integrate into the wider community.
Riak Gordon Kiir, Community Development Worker at Pakenham Uniting Church and prominent member of Pakenham’s South Sudanese community, has been appointed to lead the unity project.
Social isolation and disengagement are two of the biggest factors that contribute to a lack of cultural assimilation, according to Mr Kiir.
His idea to bridge the divide is to unite South Sudanese residents in the area, help them form a community of their own and then mobilise them to be part of the wider community.
His first point of business: forming a multicultural youth basketball team.
“I drive around all the time and I know what’s going on. I see kids playing basketball by themselves. They need someone to support them. We need to get these people together playing basketball,” Mr Kiir said.
Increased recent media coverage about youth crimes relating to the culture group have had negative impacts on the South Sudanese community locally, according to Mr Kiir.
He explained that South Sudanese residents are struggling to assimilate as they have left behind their old culture – but have not yet fully integrated into the community they are living in.
“We need to form our own community here … . Leave everything behind and follow Cardinia Shire. If they integrate with Australian society, that’s how they will learn.”
Pakenham police Senior Sergeant Graeme Stanley was one of several local stakeholders who attended the roundtable meeting to discuss ways to encourage South Sudanese residents to feel better connected to the Pakenham and wider community.
He said it was vitally important these people “do not lose parts of their culture that don’t impinge on local laws” for the sake of assimilating.
Education and skills-development was highlighted as a top priority at the meeting.
Importantly, it was said parents need to involve themselves at their child’s school and at any extra-curricular activity including a sporting team.
“We need to close the gap. Parents need to be part of the school,” Mr Kiir said.
Shadow Crime Prevention Minister Edward O’Donohue, Bass MP Brian Paynter, Cardinia Shire Councillor Leticia Wilmot and a number of council welfare workers also attended the planning meeting on Friday 12 August.
Here is a list of recommendations that were made at the meeting to help better connect South Sudanese residents in the community …
* Form a South Sudanese community group.
* Form a youth basketball team encouraging South Sudanese people and other multicultural youths to get involved in a sporting community.
* Encourage youths to remain engaged in education – school, Tafe or a trade.
* Explore benefits of intergenerational programs connecting elderly residents with young South Sudanese residents.
* Encourage parents of South Sudanese youths to better engage in their child’s education or sport club.
* Facilitate a meeting between Mr Kiir and the principal at Pakenham Secondary School to discuss issues relating to students.
* Breakdown barriers to engagement with broader community activities including cost, transport issues.
* Encourage local businesses to employ South Sudanese youth.
If you’re interested in being part of the community group or basketball team, contact Mr Kiir on 0470 122 068 or riakg3@hotmail.com
