Australian African Aid chief executive officer Jacob Monga.
Camera IconAustralian African Aid chief executive officer Jacob Monga. Credit: Supplied/Marcus Whisson

Long road to freedom

Belinda Cipriano, Eastern ReporterEastern Reporter

The organisation that helps African migrants settle in Australia received $5000 for a project aimed at educating families about Australian road safety.

Mr Monga said the need for such a program came after community members indicated a need to address risk on the roads, especially among young children from developing countries where there were no good roads, paths or road rules.

He said it was important to develop strategies that would help African migrants maintain a sustainable quality of life, to live in harmony and to maintain appropriate standards of living through community awareness and education programs.

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‘We provide a range of practical support services, including free bread donations in the communities and workshop events to vulnerable new migrants, refugees and families,’ he said.

‘We encourage individuals and families to engage in the Australian community by contributing to their practical needs and promoting a socially inclusive, multicultural society.

‘The grant has helped the organisation to teach and educate African migrants to identify the characteristics and pedestrian road warning signs of passing vehicles on roads, including road rules.’

Mr Monga formed Australia African Aid in 2011.

He grew up and lived in the war-torn Congo and said before coming to Australia his life was very different.

‘I was born in what happens to be one of the most unfortunate countries in Africa in terms of roads, health, education and social wellbeing,’ he said.

Details– To apply for a CommunityGrants program, visitwww.communitygrantsprogram.com.au/sgio.– Applications close Monday, March 31.