By ALANA MITCHELSON
A Corio church is calling for financial donations towards buying laptops for their weekly homework club that supports local refugee children.
Members of the St Andrews Anglican Church recognised a need for assisting Karen and Karenni kids in the refugee settlement areas of Corio and Norlane with their transition into Geelong schooling.
High school students then act as peer-support mentors or ‘study buddies’, helping the kids with homework tasks and activity sheets.
The children of refugee families – spanning from grade five to year 12 – receive weekly additional support during the school year, with the primary focus on developing language skills.
Church treasurer Carol Martin, who coordinated the homework club when it began five years ago, said about $3200 had already been donated from schools, community groups and the Karen/Karenni community.
“By nature, they are very gentle people. So at school they can sometimes be too shy to ask for help. There’s great stuff available at schools but we’ve found that having one-on-one time with older peers helps build their confidence,” she said.
“It’s especially helpful for kids from families of a lower socio-economic background.
“We’re very grateful to Geelong Grammar and Kardinia International College. They bus students in years nine to 11 out here every week at no cost to the homework club.”
Ms Martin said the church was open to student volunteers approaching them from other schools as well as they hope to get to a stage where the ratio of Karen kids to student volunteers is one to one. They currently average about 30 kids a week, with 15 student volunteers.
While the homework club’s primary focus was the Karen/Karenni community, it is open to any kids specifically in need of support with their English.
Homework club coordinator Jill Giddings said the laptops would really make a difference to the children’s learning. The homework club recently had their last session for the year and hope to raise the funds in time for the new school year.
“The computers we have are getting quite old and we want to upgrade to laptops. We think the kids will get really great use out of them,” she said.
“It’s really nice to see the kids come even when they don’t have any homework. We have activity sheets prepared so they can test their learning.
“The concept of child to child mentoring works really well. The high school volunteers come as part of their community service programme but we’ve often found that students will continue to come because they enjoy helping the kids and form friendships.”
A past student, who used to attend the homework club, was one of last year’s VCE high achievers in Victoria.
Chri Hay Htoo Doh obtained excellent results in English (EAL), physics and, product design & technology.
Current students, May Soung and Lwe Say Paw Moo Doh Soe, from Northern Bay College were sad to be at the last homework session for the year.
May has been in Australia for five years and is now in grade six.
“My parents weren’t educated. They were farmers. Now they go to school in Australia too,” May said.
“I remember school before I came to Australia. We had table on the ground and we would sit on the floor.
“I like coming here because the girls are really nice. They help me with writing essays.”
Lwe Say Paw said the language barrier has been her greatest struggle in the two-and-a-half years her family of 12 have been in Australia.
“All of those girls have helped me,” she gestures toward three Geelong Grammar students.
“We do maths together and all kinds of subjects. We read to them too. It’s helped with my English a lot.
“I think other kids would learn more if they come along too.”
Geelong Grammar students Zoe Marshall, Izzy Hope and Eloise Winchester volunteer as mentors at the homework club and sit with May and Lwe Say Paw once a week after school to help them with their studies.
They said the experience had helped their understanding of the Karen/Karenni culture.
“Most of us volunteered last year as well for community service credit. Now we just come because we want to,” Izzy said.
“It’s been interesting to learn about their culture. Who knew there were so many refugees in Geelong?”
Her friend, Eloise, agreed.
“It’s been really eye-opening. It feels good to know you’re able to help out,” she said.
Ms Martin said those interested in making a donation could phone 5275 4597.
