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» The purpose of the visit was to consult
with Ernabella Anangu School staff and to
share knowledge on teaching English as a
second language, literacy support and
engaging young people and disadvantaged
communities in the education process. As
well as the professional training and
discussions at the school, the fellows had the
opportunity to learn much more about
Aboriginal Australia, and to share their own
stories about Ramadan, Palestinian history
and culture. School Principal, Lisa Salomon
noted, there were important similarities
between teaching in Ernabella and Beirut.
“Children who are not thriving are not easily
educated, we are each trying desperately to
make a difference and education is a
pathway to power and a sense of future.”
Ernabella has been a permanent settlement
since 1937 in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara
Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY Lands) in
northwest South Australia and is home of
more than 600 Anangu. Their culture and
language is well preserved and the town is
famous for having the oldest arts centre in
Australia. The township includes a TAFE
campus, a health clinic and an aged care
clinic, each employing Agangu assistant staff.
“Before, I only ever thought
about the Palestinians and
their conditions, but this
experience has pushed me
to get out of my community.
There are other people
suffering.”
At the heart of the community is the vibrant
and successful Ernabella Anangu School,
providing not only education but pastoral
support, hope and a safe space for kids to be
kids.
Malak and Iman were asked about their
expectations and refl ections prior to, during
and after their journeys.
Malak Fakhreddine: “Prior to going to
Australia I googled the school at Ernabella. I
knew that the people were poor, that they
didn’t speak English and that there were
programs set up to help them, but I really
wanted to hear how they overcame the
diffi culties in teaching, especially for those
who maybe don’t want to learn.”
“Upon arriving in Ernabella, I was taken aback
with what I saw. The situation was hard to
comprehend and was very much beyond the
frame of my expectations. Everyone needs to
travel there to see it, and understand what is
going on. The teachers are very hard workers
and the students are very poor, but they are
all doing their best. I’ve learnt that we, as
Palestinians, have more chance than the
people living here, and that we are very lucky.”
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Iman Masriel: “Since returning to Lebanon,
we’ve had plenty of time to absorb and process
the experience, and despite the very small
period of time we spent there, all day and each
night, I was just thinking about the children. I’m
still thinking about them even now.
“We expected to fi nd at least similar
situations to those in Palestine, but the
situation at the Ernabella school is much
more confronting than we thought. The
students and the conditions they are living in
are very diffi cult, this is especially hard for the
teachers who come here as it is a challenge
to keep up sustained learning under these
circumstances – especially when they are
teaching to different year levels at the same
time.”
Before, I only ever thought about the
Palestinians and their conditions, but this
experience has pushed me to get out of my
community. There are other people suffering. I
feel I need to put myself in their place to do
much more to help the community.”
The next step
APP is currently undertaking an evaluation of
the whole fellowship program, in the hope
that the lessons learnt can inform future
fellowships and initiatives. APP hopes to
second a Department of Education and
Children’s Services (DECS) staff member to
Beirut for three months to support new
initiatives through ongoing mentoring and
training. In addition, AVI will continue to work
with UNRWA to indentify areas where
volunteers can contribute their technical
expertise to ensure that Palestinian refugees
in Lebanon have access to a strong,
inclusive and dynamic education system
through UNRWA. <
About the experience
The opportunity to visit Ernabella was
initially driven by Australian Volunteer
Richard Steele, an English Language
Adviser with UNRWA in Lebanon.
Several organisations through their
support behind it including APP for
Health and Education, AVI, UNRWA -
Lebanon, the Ernabella Anangu School
and the Department of Education and
Child Development in South Australia.
Opposite > Iman and Malak on a journey of a lifetime,
seen here walking in the beautiful Anangu Pitjantjatjara
Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY Lands).
Above Left > Malak and Iman during a technical
session with Sue Record, the District Literacy
Coordinator at the Ernabella Anangu School.
Above Right > Malak saying her farewells to
Ernabella Anangu School Principle, Lisa Salomon.
Left > Iman impressed with the preservation of
Aboriginal cave paintings during a visit to Uluru.
Photos > Jane Macdonald/AVI
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