Visiting Gäwa
In East Arnhem Land, MAF is partnering with Gäwa Christian School to bring a full education to the remote homelands.
Story: Rebekah Somandin, Photos: Cameron Herweynen.
As our MAF plane circled over Gäwa, a small community located on the tip of Elcho Island, I couldn’t help feeling excited. Living in Arnhem Land, I’d often heard of this homeland and the wonderful Christian school based there and now I was finally going to see it for myself.
Soon after arriving we met the school Principal, Rachel Herweynen, and it didn’t take long to feel how much love and hope she has for the people in this community.
“Both ways learning”
“Having the school on the traditional land is significant,” Rachel said. “The elders have thousands of years of knowledge and skills that can only be passed on by being on their own land.”
“But they also recognize the importance of being able to navigate the “Balanda” (or non-indigenous) world, so it’s important that the teacher’s work alongside them.” Having the traditional knowledge passed on by the elders in partnership with the school makes for rich learning. The teachers are able to present concepts from the non-indigenous perspective, but using the traditional knowledge and culture. This is called “both ways learning”.
Made by God
“It is wonderful when the MAF pilots come here,” Rachel continued. “They see the people as we see them. Not as clients, but as beautiful people wonderfully made by God.”
“Apart from the practical side of getting staff in and out, the pilots are also great role models. The interaction with MAF helps the kids to dream and see opportunities. Two of our little ones even want to be co-pilots one day!”
“MAF has also shared lots of resources in local languages with us, which allows us to reach the students in their own language that speaks to their hearts,” Rachel added gratefully.
Teaching what’s important
“I am passionate about seeing the students know their identity in Christ, and to have strength and security in that,” Rachel explained. “When you know who you are in Jesus, you’re free from the limitations that systems the government and other people have set on you.”
She also explained how important it is that the children learn “Warramiri” in class, the “language of the land”. More than the skills they learn, a highlight is seeing them value their own culture and their own language. Students themselves have said, “It’s important to learn to speak Warramiri”.
Christianity and culture together
Rachel shared a story with us about some visitors who came to the school for just a few days. At the end of the trip their visitor said, “I always wondered how Christianity and culture could work together or if it was even possible. But after being here for a few days, I can see how well it can and does work.”
Rachel explained to her visitor that it’s only possible if Jesus is the centre. Lives are transformed by God and not by people’s agenda. This has allowed the partnership between the community and the school to grow and be sustained all these years, and hopefully for many more years into the future.
Daphne Dhamarrandji, a long-term Yolηu staff member, hopes for the students to one day have a job they can take pride in. “I want to see them become a doctor, pilot, teacher, mother or principal. But number one, that they can know God’s way.”
Partnership
It surprised me how, after just a few short hours together in Gäwa, I felt a strong connection with this school in its community of only 10 houses. MAF’s passion and vision is the same as the Gäwa Christian School: to see isolated people transformed in Christ’s name.
What a privilege it is to be partners.
