MEET CHANCELINE, OUR YOUTH AMBASSADOR NETWORK (YAN) REPRESENTATIVE FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA!
1. Who is Chanceline Kakule?
My name is Chanceline. I’m 22 and I’m a student. I’m in my second year of nursing and my third year of psychology and criminology at two different universities. I have six siblings in a family of 9…quite a lot of us! I was born in Congo, grew up in Zambia and came to Australia in 2010.
2. What sparks a fire in you, and why?
Giving back to the community. I understand the struggle of coming from a refugee background and moving from a whole new country where everything is different. I’m happy that I can provide a support and a space for other young people who are going through that and help them feel connected to this place they are now calling home.
3. What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?
I am most proud about opening up a conversation within my community around the issue of racism. Whether it be between those with and without refugee and/or migrant experience. E-raced has been a steppingstone into turning an unmentionable topic issue such as racism into an everyday conversation through its aims to minimise racism one story at a time.
4. Who is your hero and why?
My mum. She is a strong woman and has been through a lot. She raised us through war, famine and poverty and is she is still standing with a smile.
5. What is your most treasured possession?
I’d say my bible journal.
6. Why did you apply to be the MYAN YAN representative for SA?
I’m always looking to grow and extend my knowledge and understanding. If there’s any opportunity out there that will do that for me, I’m always up for it because gaining knowledge means that I have something to pass on to others.
The part of the role that stood out was work with refugees and migrants – a sector I’m passionate about!
7. What skills and talents are you bringing to the YAN 2020?
Public speaking, which I’ve done from a young age and my own experiences as a refugee.
8. What are you hoping to achieve in 2020 as YAN’s SA representative?
I live in a non-diverse community and a lot of migrants/refugees often move to the big cities after living here for some time, seeking more opportunities. There’s not a lot of people from diverse backgrounds and through E-raced I’ve been thinking about going around and talking to all sorts of people to get their stories shared so that the community can get to know the people within their community more. In doing so, it builds understanding and helps bridge those gaps, and I hope to do more of this in my role at MYAN.
9. What advice do you have for young people wanting to make a difference in the world?
I think there is this belief that many change makers or people that we can consider heroes or winners get to where they are because they have not fallen and that, it’s may have somehow been an easy ride. But really, they may have encountered more challenges and have chosen to keep fighting through the bumpy roads. So, be resilient, you will win and remember the best is yet to come.
10. How can young people get involved in the work you do?
With Erased we are always looking for story tellers and it is a great way to connect with other young people. It’s really revolved around building understanding around those with and without refugee experience. Overall, everyone is welcome to join:
e-raced.com.au/volunteer-eraced
Instagram: @eracedmountgambier
Facebook: @eracedmountgambier
