Sudanese teen awarded Youth of the Month

Orange City council’s Youth Development Officer Katrina Hausia meets young people every day but she said she has never met a young woman like Achok Aluk.

Achok has made such an impression on Ms Hausia and the rest of the youth development team that there was no debate when it came to nominating her for the Youth of the Month.

“She didn’t know anyone when she first came to me,” Ms Hausia said.

“I met her through the MERGE program…she is in the secondary school MERGE program now but she comes a week early every time to volunteer with the primary school kids MERGE.

“She is so confident, she readies lunches and supervises kids, she is just so mature that you can ask her to do anything and she will just go and do it.”

Achok came from Sudan when she was eight years old and did not speak English and said she found it difficult to make friends.

She said because of her experience, she volunteers her time helping others.

She wants all children in Orange to feel like they have someone to look up to, someone to talk to and someone who understands what they might be going through.

“I enjoy experiencing different things and it is good when the kids look up to you,” she said.

“It also make me feel very confident.”

Ms Hausia said Achok was an active member on the Council’s Youth Action Council and was a role model to younger Sudanese children.

Achokwas presented with Orange City Council’s latest Youth of the Month award, last week, by Mayor John Davis.

“People like Achok don’t do what they do for thanks, but she deserves thanks, wholeheartedly.”

YOUTH OF THE MONTH: James Sheahan Catholic High School student Achok Aluk is supported by Youth Development Officer Katrina Hausia as she is awarded Youth of the Month by Orange City Council Mayor John Davis.