Community Action – Other’s Space
Doing Community Action
Through this key young people and the ELEVATE Team enter into “other’s space” together and engage in projects that benefit their school, local and global communities. The focus of the relationship is outward towards the advantage of others, and assisting students to create a positive community in their school and beyond, helping them to demonstrate compassion, and grow and understand their capacity to make a difference in the world. Share your Community Action ideas in the next quarterly newsletter by emailing Meredith
Doing Community Action through Live below the Line.
Live Below the Line seeks to combat extreme poverty in two distinct ways: raising funds for educational opportunities in the developing world, and creating widespread awareness of this important issue (HINT: conversations are the key!). For more info go to Live below the Line website https://www.livebelowtheline.com/au
Check out this Community Action initiative by Sunbury Youth Leaders.
If you were walking through the centre of Sunbury in December last year, you might have thought ‘Occupy Melbourne’ had moved in. In fact 20 young people had voluntarily built their own SLUM made out of wood and cardboard, with a tarp as a roof. Their home for 5 days.
The 5 days were a long struggle. Food was reduced to a piece of fruit for breakfast, and 2 cups of rice for the rest of the day, to replicate the diet of those in poverty. Participants were allowed only 1 set of clothing, no pillows, no phones or technology and no showers. By day 2 the morale of the group dropped as the reality set in, but everyone was determined and pushed through for the 5 long, hot days. The young people who took part were deeply impacted.
The goal of the program designed by TEAR (http://www.tear.org.au/education/slum-survivor/), is to raise money for the 1 Billion people on earth who live in slums, and to give young people and the wider community a sense of how privileged we are compared to our brothers and sisters internationally who are not as safe and healthy.
Family and friends sponsored each participant and combined with public donations the group raised $3,500! This money was donated to Urban Neighbours of Hope (UNOH) who support people in Klong Toey, a SLUM in Thailand. All involved were amazed and deeply encouraged by the amount raised.
We would like to say a huge thankyou to everyone for their support, donations and encouragement. We wouldn’t have been so brave if it wasn’t for you. Many Thanks – Lynley Huke
Doing Community Action while connecting out at MAD Camp
Doing Community Action through the Tear Foundation
Tear Foundation’s ‘Arguably the World’s Most Useful Gifts’ - The original way to buy a goat, a toilet and other unusual gifts’ is a great way to do Community Action. Can you think of ways to encourage students at your school to raise money to purchase such a gift from Tear? Link to: Tear Foundation
Doing Community Action through CHIC
Kurunjang Secondary College in Melton was the first Victorian school to participate in SU Victoria’s newest girls program, CHIC. Choices, Hopes, Identity and Connections journeys with young women through life’s tough issues in a safe and interactive setting. During one session, we looked at how doing little things for others can actually make a big difference.
The girls decided that they wanted to show a certain teacher just how special she is to them – so they gave up their lunch times to make her an incredible card and organised a surprise party, complete with cupcakes and a present which they presented at the next session.
The teacher was totally speechless and the girls were overwhelmed when they saw what their generosity meant to her. It was absolutely priceless to witness! God’s love being played out through acts of service is what Community Action is all about and I just love it!! Michell Mayhew – Melton Community Youth Worker.