My attempt and struggle

Since I received an assignment to build collective action with people for social change, I have been thinking about what kind of community project I should do. I first began to think about working with new immigrants and refugees to connect with mainstream Australians. Each culture has its own traditional 'games'. By learning other cultural games and playing together, it provides a joyful environment for people to appreciate other cultures and build relationships with one another. I planned to connect people who share the concern to organise a multicultural fun day in the park. I was excited until someone asked me what the issue was. I had no answer. I realised that it was my agenda and I started with project not people.

Understanding my mistakes, I found a need to identify the issues from the new immigrants and refugees. I went to Moorooka, a suburb with many African immigrants and refugees, and asked people what their concerns were in a park. But I was not able to gather any useful data. I was afraid and I did not know what to say. 

To be more specific, I took the advice to narrow down the focus on refugee community but refused to set up the scope of issues, for fear that it would guide people to the set issues.  After that, I met a school fellow, who came to Australia as refugee, and tried to establish a dialogue with him. He was annoyed being viewed as refugee for he had lived here for several years. He corrected me that he was an Australian. I sincerely thank him for the correction and I become aware of the use of ‘refugee’.

To explore the opportunity to talk to my target community, I joined an adult multicultural learning centre as a volunteer. Learning from previous experiences, I asked the people who had once experienced forced migration about their stories to Australia and the challenges they faced. Though I heard some stories, I still could not identify any issue. How could I have an opportunity to hear people’s issues and work with them? I shared my frustration with another school fellow, who had experienced forced migration in the past. When he admitted that the misuse of ‘refugee’ was an issue, I thought that the opportunity had come. However, he was more interested to have someone to act on it.

I was knocked down in every attempt I made. I need more time to build the relationships and trust with people. But my deadline to submit the drat plan is approaching.  What shall I do?