Finding a place to belong

December 18, 2018

Two young girls in SYN FM studio

These words were written in the diary of 10-year-old Sarah, soon after she arrived in Australia, after fleeing war-torn Syria with her family.

I have no friends, I’m so weird, I hate my life, I want to go back.”

Today, Sarah is a confident, happy teenager – her life has been transformed, helped by her involvement in community radio. Sarah’s journey to feeling accepted in a new country was assisted by her involvement in the Schools on Air program run by SYN in Melbourne and funded by the CBF.

The Schools on Air program gives young people the training, skills and confidence to run their own radio show. It encourages teamwork, inspires creativity and improves language skills. For people like Sarah, Schools on Air is life-changing.

Thanks to the skills learned via the Schools on Air program, Sarah discovered her love of broadcasting and was awarded Best Newcomer at this year’s SYN Awards. She now co-produces an award-winning podcast with her twin sister Maya: Refugees on Air in which she is broadcasting stories full of hope, resilience and happiness.

Listen to Schools on Air and help us create life-changing opportunities for Australian youth, please donate today. Learn more about how your support will strengthen independent Australian community media.

Image credit Project Lantern.