Women & Families Program has kicked off in Punmu and Parnngurr
The Women & Families Program (WFP) has started in Punmu and Parnngurr. The program works closely with the ranger teams and the schools to bring whole families together on country. The program also works closely with Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service (PAMS) and other health staff.
The aim of the program is to provide a regular gathering place for parents, extended family members and children to progress their aspirations to learn in ways that strengthen their society, bring knowledge of two cultures together, and establish the best possible environments for children to grow strong and healthy with the skills to learn and contribute across two worlds. The program offers opportunities for families to go out on country with their kids to engage in two-way learning. To date there have been several day trips run out of the communities.
In Punmu, the rangers, WFP participants and RAWA School went out to Illyara. The kids dug for minyarra (bush onions), Kurru (Gladys) spoke to the kids in Manyjilyjarra (language dialect) and told them the history of Illyara. The young women led conversational reading activities, a technique to promote language development and literacy learned that same week during training on the Abecedarian model provided by partners World Vision Australia. The WFP participants learnt from the rangers how to prepare and pack for an on country trip and how to check the vehicles.
On another trip the Punmu WFP participants, RAWA Primary School, Home and Community Care, and the ranger teams came together to clean out Jila Jila spring. Rawa Primary School brought a written copy of the jukurrpa (Dreamtime) story of Jila Jila which was read all together, before getting stuck into the hard work of digging out the layers of salt and mud, and cutting back the reeds that blocked the fresh water from coming up.
While older kids and adults worked with the shovels, the youngest kids helped to dig with plastic toy spades. There were plenty of books and toys so kids could take a break from digging to read or play. Play is so important for social and language development and on country, surrounded by their family, kids are relaxed and ready to play and learn.
The WFP in Punmu also worked with RAWA School to create a map of Punmu that kids of all ages can play on. Made on recycled cardboard boxes, the map can be moved around community so everyone can contribute. Women and kids of all ages have been contributing to the map. Though still in its early stages, it maps not only the streets and houses of Punmu but the nearby springs.
Little kids practice their writing and drawing skills as they contribute to the map, but also play imaginatively with toys on the map, developing important language and social skills. As Punmu heated up, RAWA School extended an invitation for all community members to spend time in the air conditioned Kindy class working on the map, allowing families to come together in the school.
The Parnngurr women and families team went to Wangkakalu for a day trip. The jiji (children) of the family absolutely loved the trips and enjoyed gathering minyarra (bush onions) with the parents. The family decided it would be good to go there quite regularly next year to help keep Wangkakalu clean as the camels make a real mess.
The WFP teams have many ideas for 2020, including more trips out on country, being involved in longer camps, coming together to cook, read, play and learn language.
