By ALESHA CAPONE
A TRIO of talented teenage dancers from Brimbank are sharing their skills with other young people at the Delahey Community Centre.
Nineteen-year-old Fostin, along with Teewon and Hanna – who are both 17 – run a youth rap and dance group at the centre every Monday afternoon.
Earlier this year, Fostin was named Brimbank City Council’s Young Citizen of the Year, due to his community involvement in dance, music, writing and assisting other youth – such as mentoring hip-hop artists through Brimbank’s RAP3021 program.
Before he came to Australia, Fostin was born in Burundi, Africa.
At just four years old he was kidnapped by rebels and forced to be a child soldier, before escaping to a refugee camp in Tanzania nine years later.
Fostin reunited with his family in 2006 and came to Australia under the government’s humanitarian program.
The Kings Park resident is now studying youth work at Victoria University in addition to teaching the youth rap and dance group.
“What I enjoy is the appreciation afterwards, and seeing what they have accomplished, and building a friendship as we go along.”
“Most of the young people we work with here are also not just talented in dance, but also musically.
“Most are too shy to show their talent but they also might not get a chance.”
Teewon said she met Fostin at school and they have been running the dance and rap group for two years.
“I like that we can all bring ideas to the group and we are all learning,” she said.
The youth rap and dance group meets at 3.45pm Mondays at the Delahey Community Centre, 80 Copperfield Dve, Delahey.
