Gunawirra

Gunawirra aims to work together with communities to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers, children, and families by delivering innovative, transformational, and culturally appropriate programs. Their programs focus on healing trauma while their early intervention programs aim to improve lifestyles through positive change.

The Young Aboriginal Mothers Program (YAMP), based in Gunawirra House, Rozelle is an early intervention service for Aboriginal women from pregnancy through to their child starting school. It was formed in response to the need for mothers and their babies to be supported in building stronger, safer and healthier relationships.

The Project engages with, supports, and holds the mothers through the first five years of their child’s life. We provide a therapeutic cultural space where Aboriginal women and teenagers have the opportunity to talk about and understand what has happened in their lives, to be understood and to begin to develop pride and confidence in themselves as women and as mothers. By focusing on and actively supporting the vital healthy links between mother and child, we aim to reduce the impact of intergenerational trauma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

The Five Big Ideas provides teaching modules, strategies and activities that address five key topics including Basic Hygiene, Nutrition, Handling Problems at Home, Identity and My environment, my land, myself. It aims to increase awareness of and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island culture, and improve understanding of good nutrition for children and families.

As a part of the 5 Big Ideas Program Hygiene Module, Care Packs are given to children to help them understand they can also take care of themselves. The items relate to good hygiene and first aid suitable for young children including things like washing their hands, cleaning their teeth, and putting Band-Aids on cuts.

The role

• Assist in seeking donated products for care and hygiene packs, new books, Xmas toys for families across Sydney and NSW.
• Assist in evaluations and research for 4th year students.
• Learning Indigenous cultures.
• Assist with promotional material and social media platforms.