Disadvantaged community fund-raiser

I'm not much of a Facebookie, but I thought this to be for a good cause.

Abbie and I have been lucky enough to spend the last 8 months with the Alyawarr people of Utopia, living and learning the special culture that is believed to be over 40,000 years old. English out here is minimal, and is a second or even 3rd language, it is amazing! This is how Australia was before colonisation. To think a language is passed down from generation to generation without being written in to language is incredible. We are honoured to be here and loving the reward of helping people who endure some serious health concerns. The health gap out here is significant with health illnesses that affect all age groups.

I received confirmation by the male elders to share this video.

The video documentary that was filmed out here 4 years ago.

To any local or First Nations people watching:WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following program may contain images and voices of deceased persons.

https://youtu.be/KyI4HcBTGjE?si=Foc1kAyoixQpe1KG

I have been lucky enough to play AFL with the local Arlparra football club.

Some of the fella’s out here do not have football boots, the team does not have water bottles and footballs are a rare commodity. I have purchased and supplied x 5 match Sherrin’s myself.

The younger fellas between 8-14 do not have football boots at all and leave training most afternoons with torn up feet but still smile and carry on. I guess that is one word that sums up the population out here, resilient. 300km from the nearest town, sometimes no water, poor housing conditions, limited food and resources. These folk do it tough, but still share a charismatic smile through the hardship.

The communities out here love their footy and their local team. The footy is not just a unifier of the community but also integral to the physical health and social and emotional wellbeing for the fella’s. Illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, rheumatic heart disease, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, obesity, high blood pressure amongst others are greatly reduced by playing football. Not to mention, an improved mental wellbeing, the fella’s stay focussed and off the alcohol during the football season. Football in many ways assist in reducing the health gap experienced by the population out here.

I have contacted multiple organisations and some can help donate football boots, however no one thus far can help fund the families and some of the football fellas to come and watch the finals game that Arlparra will be playing the 17/09 in Alice Springs (300km from Arlparra).

Transport is a real barrier out here, there is on average one good car between 5 families.

Considering 170km of the road to Alice Springs is corrugated dirt and most cars are commodores, functioning cars are also a commodity.

I have started the donation at $200, the bus that we are booking to take families in is roughly $110 per person.

If there is left over money, we will put it towards football boots and accessories for the football team.

I know times are hard, any donation is much appreciated. No pressure, even watching the video is raising awareness that there are resilient people in our own backyard who are severely disadvantaged.

The funding money will be donated into the Urapuntja Council Account this is where the funding will be organised and spent on the appropriate

Thank you very much.

Much love Ceb and Abb