By Christine de Kock
A FORMER Footscray Primary School student, of refugee background, is taking part in a western suburbs mentorship program to boost the morale of other children who have arrived in the West as refugees.
Can Hong Ngo, 23, is a volunteer in the Ardoch Youth Foundation’s primary school initiative for supported learning.
Mr Ngo said he arrived in Australia from Vietnam as a child in 1987, with his parents and five siblings.
The family first lived in Richmond, then lived with relatives in Footscray for five years and rented in Sunshine for two years. His parents later bought a house in St Albans.
Mr Ngo said the constant moving had made it difficult for him and said it was a situation that many children from refugee backgrounds were likely to face.
But Mr Ngo is now an engineering student at Monash University and said that through his work in the volunteer program, he intended to encourage children to “aim high”.
“When you move, it is difficult to focus (on school),” he said. “It is easy to be left behind.”
He wanted to show children that he went through the same situation but was able to study further.
“If they want to, they can study and become whatever they want.”
The volunteer program will involve Mr Ngo visiting a school, taking part in a soccer match and sharing his history with students.
The Ardoch Youth Foundation is working with five schools in Braybrook, Sunshine and Ardeer.
Ardoch believes that issues related to migration can include homelessness, family breakdown, alcohol or drug abuse, mental illness and violence, which can make it difficult for children to stay in school.
The organisation provides resources and services to ensure that children are given every opportunity to reach their potential.
Ardoch is a community-funded, non-profit organisation. It is recruiting for volunteers to support children from a diverse range of backgrounds and provide a positive role model.
Tutors, mentors and those who can be involved in buddy programs, to increase the level of support available to children in classrooms, are required.
Training is provided at their Sunshine centre. Volunteers undergo a criminal history check and must provide character references.
Those interested to join can contact 9537 2414 or email kylie.paine@ardoch.asn.au
