By Vittoria Pasquini
Since its foundation almost 10 years ago, VDSA has been committed to the improvement of the lives and wellbeing of Indigenous youth. We know that there is still a lot to do in Australia to close the gap between non-Indigenous population and First People and that the reconciliation process is slow. We are a small Association with limited resources and volunteer members but we strongly believe that every act of kindness and every opportunity contribute to the well-being of Indigenous youth. Each small donation counts towards closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth and we believe we all have a responsibility to reduce it. In the course of the years The Valerio Daniel De Simoni Association has had the opportunity to show support to Indigenous youth by way of providing:
– Drama workshops to assist youth at risk of leaving school and becoming alienated from their culture, and video courses at Alexandria Park Community School
– Offering free psychotherapy sessions
– Facilitating inspirational workshops for WEAVE’s Culture and Personal Development Camp attended by Aboriginal youth
– Partnering with WEAVE on the introduction to Permaculture & Rooftop Garden, a course which is part of WEAVE’s Step Up Learning Program, which aims to assist young Indigenous people to re-enter mainstream education, training or employment
– Partnering with Marrickville Youth Resource Centre on Aboriginal Art & Outreach
– Partnering with Marrickville Youth Resource Centre and Connect Marrickville on Yarn N’Arts & Aboriginal Art & Outreach offering facilitated art workshops for indigenous youth and families
– Collaborated with Jarjum College in the provision of a soccer training program for students (Research has found that sport helps reduce violence, keeps Indigenous youth out of serious trouble and is essential to counter the moral despair of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
– Donating organic fresh vegetables from VDSA organic vegetable garden in Bronte weekly to the to The Jarjum College, Redfern and to the Redfern Community Centre.
VDSA is acting locally but we members of the Association are thinking globally. We know for example that Australia is the only nation in the whole world without a Treaty with its First People who are still not recognised in the Australian Constitution.
We hope that the Yolngu word of Makarrata (coming together after a struggle, facing the facts of wrongs and living in peace again) which is embedded in the Uluru Statement from the Heart, will have an impact in the recognition of Aboriginal peoples’ rightful place in Australia.
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