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TRANSCRIPT
In Darwin, the sun is shining.
For many of these walkers, it's their first Top End dry season.
And for some, their first time connecting with others since migrating here permanently.
“Oh my god, I'm happy, I'm really happy because I made friends.”
Led by Anglicare's local Refugee and Migrant Settlement Service, the Multicultural Walking Group helps provide an environment to practise language skills, meet locals and engage with more support services.
Navini Ushirika moved from Sri Lanka in Febrauary.
REPORTER: "What did you think of the walk?"
NAVINI: "We really enjoy it because this is the first time that I walk and I have so many friends in my class, they're multicultural, China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Congo like that countries, we're all together and we have a chat in the walk so I really enjoy it. We get to know each other because we have a game today als, to know what's our country, where have you been like that.”
Organisers say in the third year running the weekly event, the need for connection is growing ... as more people around the world face conflict, displacement and uncertainty.
Maria Arcoss is a settlement support worker with Anglicare NT, as part of their Refugee and Migrant Settlement Service.
“Yeah, there's a lot happening in the world and it's very sad for a lot of people with what's happening with their own families back in their home country and just coming here I think it is like a little bubble that they feel that they belong and can show who they are and share the happy moments, share their food, share about what they like to do, speak their language, they might find people that speak the same language that they do so it's these little things that make big changes and this is what we want to feel like they're home, belong, they belong here they are from Australia now.”
After reaching a nearby park, group discussions are facilitated around topics like cultural traditions, holidays and life in Darwin.
“As you can imagine arriving to Australia as a new migrant you don't know anyone, you start from scratch and having a group of people that wants to actually meet with you, chat, get to know about your culture and what makes you proud of who you are.”
Most of the participants are from STEPS - a not-for-profit education and training college.
The federally funded Adult Migrant English Program provides unlimited hours of free English lessons to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants.
Julian is a General Manager at STEPS.
“It's huge, people come to this country with not much in their pocket, if any so being able to have a free government run program they can access, makes a massive difference in their lives cause they can come in join and be part of the community without the stress of the overhead costs.”
The organisation alone, supports students from 52 countries in the Northern Territory.
“I think that it was really important for everyone to come and I think that the big idea for this partnerships is for the locals to join so then they can integrate, social cohesion and diversity that Darwin is.”
Connecting... one step at a time.
