River Nile Learning Centre

Removing Barriers to Education

Removing Barriers to Education

The project is to ensure that the cost of public transport is not a barrier to our students attending classes. Our students all live in the Melbourne metropolitan area and rely on public transport to commute to our learning centre in North Melbourne. Cost of living pressures is hampering their capacity to prioritise education over ...

GOAL

$5,828

Australia > VIC > Metro
08/01/2024 > 08/01/2025

Field of Interest

  • Community and economic development
  • Education/training and employment

Target Population

  • Asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and people from CALD backgrounds
  • People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage or vulnerability
River Nile Learning Centre River Nile Learning Centre

Established in 2006, the River Nile Learning Centre (RNLC) is committed to providing free, welcoming, holistic educational and wellbeing programs to women of refugee and asylum seeker background and individuals on all various visas. We offer pre-accredited English as an Additional Language and Digital Literacy courses in collaboration with North Melbourne Language and Learning.

Additionally, we provide material aid including Foodbank and MYKI passes, access to life skills driving and swimming programs, pathways planning, guest speakers, excursions and community lunches, to remove barriers to education and employment and build community. Furthermore, RNLC's Community Services and Social Support Worker provides advocacy, referrals and support, assisting women navigate complex systems including Centrelink, housing, immigration and domestic family violence support programs, educational programs for their children, providing warm referrals to wide ranging programs and offering a strength based, holistic service.

Project Summary

The project is to ensure that the cost of public transport is not a barrier to our students attending classes.

Our students all live in the Melbourne metropolitan area and rely on public transport to commute to our learning centre in North Melbourne. Cost of living pressures is hampering their capacity to prioritise education over pressing needs such as bills, groceries and rent.

We currently have 50 students enrolled in our courses, with new students seeking to enrol each week. The Myki passes will be distributed to these students on the basis of need.

The provision of free public transport is an important in ensuring that our students are able to come to the learning centre and attend classes. Under this project we are seeking $5,800 to purchase Myki passes for our students for the next 12 months. However, any donation would be most appreciated and contribute to reducing this barrier to their education.

Project Outcomes

At our learning centre, we provide a culturally safe space for students to acquire the language, life, and work skills they need to thrive. This empowers them to pursue their life ambitions, which range from further education, such as pursuing a diploma in nursing, to entering the workforce in industries such as disability support and hospitality. In doing so, they will make a significant contribution to the local community by addressing labour shortages in sectors expected to face ongoing challenges.

This project will ensure that the cost of public transport is not a barrier to attending classes. We will know the impact of the project through our student attendance records. When a student is absent, our staff will enquire as to the cause of the absence and address the cause.

Budget Breakdown

TOTAL BUDGET: $5,828
FUNDING
Funding source Amount
Funding gap (unconfirmed) $5,828
EXPENSES
Expense item Amount
15 No. booklets each containing 10 No.30-Day myki passes $5,828

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Contact Us
Level 6, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Australian Communities Foundation is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of LGBTQIA+ communities and the movement toward equality.