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Many are Walpiri people (central desert), some are from Arnhem land and others from communities closer to Darwin such as Belyuen. Approximately 400 people live in this community.
Like many Aboriginal communities, this community faces issues of substance abuse, particularly alcohol and gunja (marijuana). However, there are also many strong leaders who want to create change and are working wholeheartedly to see their community transformed.
Children who have dysfunction modelled to them are at risk of continuing the cycle of dysfunction. It’s therefore a privilege to be able to work alongside the children, providing positive role models and recreational activities that aim to prevent them from turning to alcohol and other drugs.
Each day began by driving around the community in the ‘Troopie’ to pick up the children for the activities. We set up at the church hall, simply a cement floor with a roof (no walls) and a storage area out the back. We’d play games with the kids such as poison ball, four square, basketball, cat and mouse, tipis and Indians, skipping and soccer. After a drink and something to eat, we’d then do a craft activity. One day, it was jewellery making. The boys in particular loved to create necklaces and bracelets from the beads and string that were kindly donated to us. Another day, we made a banner together. It said, ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made’ and the children decorated it with hand prints, their names and other designs.
On the Wednesday, we took a handful out of town to the beautiful Berry Springs. We enjoyed swimming in the crystal clear water and had a BBQ together. We also joined in with the program already in place which included a gathering on Wednesday nights and taking the kids from Bagot plus a couple of other communities for a swim and BBQ on Friday nights. Then it was church on Sunday nights with many of our team being involved in singing and music, as well as sharing from their life journey.
During the second week there, the children were back at school but we continued to support the Bagot community by helping run the church gatherings on the Wednesday and Sunday nights and taking the kids swimming on Friday night. We also ran some kids activities with the help of a YWAM team before the Wednesday night church, and had some of the boys around for a swim and dinner another night. Tom was also kept busy helping to sort out issues in the community.
The children and youth of Bagot really need support. If you feel like you’d like to get involved in any way on a long term basis, please contact
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and you will be put in contact with the people who are working there long term.
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