TAFE Helps Turn Refugee Akolda Bil’s Life Around
14 July 2020
When he was only five
years old, Akolda’s mother decided they would leave their home in South Sudan
and head to Egypt, before finally settling down in Australia a few years
later.
“Packing up your home
and leaving behind everything you know is one of the most terrifying things you
can do. But my mum knew there were better opportunities for us in Australia.”
Scared of the unknown
but excited by the possibilities, they began their new life in Newcastle,
before moving to Melbourne eight years later.
When he was 17, Akolda
enrolled in the Yarra Youth Service ‘Living it Up program’. Here he spent time
learning basic life skills such as cooking, playing games and sports with other
members, and connecting with various youth workers.
The program was
flexible and allowed him to choose to learn about topics that interested
him.
“I really loved all my
youth workers. They made me feel supported and understood, which was invaluable
to me as a 17-year-old in a new city.”
Inspired by his youth workers, Akolda completed his Diploma of Community Services at Melbourne Polytechnic. He now works as a Youth Worker at Yarra Youth Services and a Youth Leader with the Drum Youth Services.
“I’ve come full
circle. It’s amazing to now be working with the people that helped me. It feels
good to be repaying the favour to other young people.”
“I love being able to
work with kids and the feeling of helping guide someone through difficult times
in their lives. It helps them to have a youth worker with the same cultural
background. I sometimes see my younger self in them.”
“Not many people from
my home country finish tertiary studies, so it’s a huge achievement for me to
get this award.”
“Before this diploma,
I was working smaller jobs and didn’t have much ambition. Studying wasn’t
something I believed I was capable of doing and I’m so thankful that I had the
opportunity to do so. It’s given me a path to follow and a dream to pursue.”
“My mum fought hard
for me to live in Australia. I hope this award makes her proud of her
decision.”
This article was origionally published in The Australian TAFE Teacher, Autumn 2020