It’s a long way from South Sudan to Darwin, but for St John’s Catholic College students Chol and Wal Akol Jok travelling the 11,000+ kilometers has been part of the journey in keeping their family safe and together, and realising their dreams of becoming a mechanic and a nurse.
“Leaving South Sudan was very hard, but we have been made to feel so welcome here…”
After fleeing the war in South Sudan, the brothers and their family found refuge in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Northern Kenya, before migrating to Darwin in 2018 as part of the Australian Government’s Refugee and Humanitarian program. “Leaving South Sudan was very hard, but we have been made to feel so welcome here in Darwin and at St John’s. Australia is now our second home”, reflected the brothers.
For the brothers, the support from the Melaleuca Refugee Centre and St John’s has been key in making the transition to life in Darwin a success. Finding a school in Darwin initially proved a challenge for Chol and Wal, before being welcomed into the St John’s community as part of the College’s partnership with Melaleuca. “The goal of the partnership between Melaleuca and St John’s is to support and connect young people to education, and as a Catholic College we see this partnership as a big part of our Mission”, explained Cameron Hughes, Principal of St John’s Catholic College.
Since commencing at the College in 2018, Chol and Wal have completed the Intensive English program and are now in Year 12 working towards graduation at the end of the year. Following graduation Chol wants to become a mechanic, “I’ve always wanted to be a mechanic ever since I was a young boy back in South Sudan”, states Chol. Whilst Wal hopes to gain entry into the Charles Darwin University’s nursing program, “I’d like to become a nurse to help people, I hope I can work as a nurse here in the NT”, said Wal. In addition to study, the brothers have kept busy with cross country, rugby league and soccer, as well as part time jobs
“We are very proud of Chol, Wal and all the students who have joined the College as part of the partnership. We as a community have been enriched by the contributions of the students and their families”
However, the brothers are not the only young people to have benefited from the partnership between Melaleuca and St John’s, with over twenty young people from South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Burundi having now enrolled at the College. “We are very proud of Chol, Wal and all the students who have joined the College as part of the partnership. We as a community have been enriched by the contributions of the students and their families”, said Principal Hughes.
More information about St John’s Catholic College can be found at: www.stjohnsnt.catholic.edu.au