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| Educate youth and develop cross-cultural relationships |
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| The opportunity of volunteering in one of Australia’s remote, Indigenous communities has been for many, one of the most rewarding and holistic experiences in building an understanding of Indigenous Australian cultures. In fact, the experience can be so profound and life changing, YCA volunteers often elect to continue volunteering in the community after their project time is finished! Due to their remote location, such communities often experience great difficulty in attracting effective, long term staff to their social and educational programs and this is where you, the YCA volunteer, can make a difference! |
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| YCA has been working with a number of communities in Central Australia since 2004 - to date we have run projects in Yuendumu, Ikuntji, Kintore, Alice Springs, Finke and Imanpa. Currently, YCA volunteers are working in Yuendumu, Yulara, Docker River and Mutitjulu. |
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| YCA is currently recruiting volunteers for projects in the following communities:
Docker River Docker River is located 670 km south west from Alice Springs by road via Uluru and it takes roughly 7 hours to drive there. The community is only 7 km from the border with Western Australia. Docker River has an unsealed airstrip, general store (with petrol supplies), Maruku Arts and Crafts centre, recreation hall, aged care facility, health centre, school, 2 public telephones, an Australian Rules football oval and basketball court. There are approximately 300 people living in the community. |
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| Mutitjulu Mutitjulu is situated a few kilometres south of Yulara on Lasseters Highway and just east of Uluru. Daily flights are available to Yulara on both commercial airlines and private charter companies. Mutitjulu lies approximately 350 km south west of Alice Springs. The community has a population of approximately 150 people who are also the traditional owners of Uluru. Much of the economy of Mutitjulu comes from tourism at Uluru and nearby Yulara. As a result, Mutitjulu is much wealthier than most other Indigenous Australian communities. The level of English literacy by Mutitjulu residents is much higher than in most Indigenous Australian communities yet education levels are still far lower than the non Indigenous Australian average. |
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| Yuendumu Yuendumu community is located 290 kilometres northwest of Alice Springs on the Tanami Highway and has a population of approximately 1,300 people. The vast majority of the population is Warlpiri People. Yuendumu is the largest community in Central Australia, with the exception of Alice Springs, and is also one of the most studied communities in Australia. Yuendumu is a Warlpiri community and the main languages spoken are Warlpiri and English. Reflective of its large size, Yuendumu has three community stores, an airstrip, a swimming pool, church, artist's centre, women's centre and aged care program. |
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| Papunya |
| Papunya is located 250 Kilometers north-west of Alice Springs. It is a small Indigenous community of about 250 people. The main language groups are Pintupi and Luritja. Papunya artists are well known in Australian and internationally. There is a grocery store, ATM, police station, medical clinic and public phone. |
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| Central Australia Programs |
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| 1. Nyangatjatjara College The Nyangatjatjara College program is currently running in Docker River, Mutitjulu and Yulara communities. |
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YCA has had a partnership with Nyangatjatjara College and Yirara College since the beginning of 2008. Yirara, a coeducational, years 7 to 10, Indigenous boarding school based in Alice Springs previoulsy managed the Nyangatjatjara Colleges, based in Yulara, Imanpa, Mutitjulu and Docker River. Nyangatjatjara are in the provess of regaining full financial management of the schools and that were established to address the employment, educational and economic development needs of these communities. Please find out more about Nyangatjatjara College here |
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| Project Activities: - assisting teachers with day to day running of classes
- one-on-one tutoring
- literacy and numeracy program
- facilitate sport and recreation activities
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| 2. Mt Theo Youth Program Mt Theo Youth Program is currently running in Yuendumu community only. |
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The Mt Theo Program was started by Yuendumu Community in 1993 to address chronic petrol sniffing in Yuendumu. The program has had widespread success in eradicating the problem throughout the region and has since broadened in nature and scope to provide a comprehensive program of diversion, treatment, aftercare and youth leadership and development throughout the Warlpiri region. Mt Theo's accomplishments has seen it's pioneers awarded Order of Australia Medals for their contribution & success in addressing substance abuse. Please find out more about Mt Theo here. |
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| Project Activities: - Assisting in the Night Club Youth Program
- Assist in the school's activities relating to literacy, numeracy, computer skills, art and craft, music, dance and life skills.
- Run sport and recreation activities during the school holidays.
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| 3. Central Australia Youth Link Up Service (CAYLUS) CAYLUS program is currently running in Papunya. |
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| CAYLUS was set up as a petrol sniffing initiative in 2002 across 12 communities. Programs included rehabilitation, media projects and sport carnivals. CAYLUS have focused on demand-reduction measures such as youth programs. One such program is an Internet cafe that has been set up in Papunya to provide youth and other members of the community access to computers, the internet and IT training. The room was set up as a training centre and to give direction and opportunity to young people who may have missed receiving an education, due to petrol sniffing or other factors, and has a diversion program to keep young people engaged and away from the influences of destructive behaviour. The program is hoping to support community members to complete a certificate in IT to enable them to access jobs and other opportunities. The internet cafe is very popular with the local community, with 140 people using it over February! Please find out more about CAYLUS here . |
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