FIFTY thousand dollars has been injected into the Ballarat African Association from the State government, to fund workshops designed to boost the holistic human development of its members.<\/p>\n
BAA president, Dr Michael Akindeju said 10 workshops will be aimed at about 250 people across its spectrum of 300 active members, to improve their self-esteem and confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of our programs will focus on strengthening family relationships, inter-generational and respectful communications, mental health, and avoiding gambling,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
For Dr Akindeju and BAA, the African community\u2019s major problems include poor branding and identity, so the workshops are a way to assist them to \u201cparticipate and integrate fully\u201d into society.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe thought we would first target self-development, time management, task management, understanding the fabric of the economy, and tax, social justice and electoral systems.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll treat ourselves first, and then request or solicit for the wider community to understand the value that we actually contribute,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison said the State government is working to ensure regional community groups like BAA have the resources they need throughout the current challenging climate, and beyond.<\/p>\n
Hosting BAA at parliament earlier in the year, she experienced the community\u2019s \u201cstrong advocacy.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s groups like the Ballarat African Association that government is always happy to support,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Dr Akindeju said BAA has worked hard to plan and achieve the workshop program.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to thank the government. We are grateful to them, they see our plights, understand what we\u2019re going through and they\u2019re partnering with us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FIFTY thousand dollars has been injected into the Ballarat African Association from the State government, to fund workshops designed to boost the holistic human development of its members. BAA president, Dr Michael Akindeju said 10 workshops will be aimed at about 250 people across its spectrum of 300 active members, to improve their self-esteem and […]<\/p>\n