Stories of Welcome
Stories of Welcome is a new community grassroots program aimed at engaging, inspiring and empowering refugee communities located on the mid-north coast (Coffs Harbour region) through the power of storytelling, through the discovery and development of creative voice, through transferable creative skills, curiosity and professional development training.
Facilitated by long-time collaborator of CuriousWorks, Mark Taylor, this program is working closely with Settlement Services International in Coffs Harbour, as well as collaborating with participants from the Sydney based Refugee Artist Development Program. This year the program has facilitated a 3 day introductory workshop with 15 participants from refugee backgrounds. They have also held a number of cultural workshops with local First Nations Elders and artists and one-on-one and group mentorships have begun, as participants begin to develop concepts for their creative projects.
Participants: Swe Dawng (Aye Win), Nin Ngling Maung (Angelo), Basam Shamsan, Khairya Al-Khameri, John Akway Cham, Khishkok Abdo, Zozik Abdo, Sonya Khudeda
Stories of Welcome is supported by Create NSW project grants.
Facilitated by long-time collaborator of CuriousWorks, Mark Taylor, this program is working closely with Settlement Services International in Coffs Harbour, as well as collaborating with participants from the Sydney based Refugee Artist Development Program. This year the program has facilitated a 3 day introductory workshop with 15 participants from refugee backgrounds. They have also held a number of cultural workshops with local First Nations Elders and artists and one-on-one and group mentorships have begun, as participants begin to develop concepts for their creative projects.
“Yes, I can say that being part of this project is a great thing. I am really happy that I am part of it. The knowledge and the skills I acquired is a great thing that it gave me confidence to direct and act a script for the first time in my life. I realised that:John Akway Cham
- The knowledge and skills I have acquired can be the key to open new door.
- The project was a big inspiration, and inspiration is always the key in achieving big things.
- Our untold stories can be of great inspiration to the society.”
Participants: Swe Dawng (Aye Win), Nin Ngling Maung (Angelo), Basam Shamsan, Khairya Al-Khameri, John Akway Cham, Khishkok Abdo, Zozik Abdo, Sonya Khudeda
Stories of Welcome is supported by Create NSW project grants.