“I HOPE I have made a little bit of a difference in their lives, I treat this program as my child and just want to give the students wings to fly,” North Gambier Primary School intensive English learning program coordinator Inna Tucker said on her time working with new arrivals to Australia.
“It has been an inspirational journey for me, I have gone beyond being an educator, I am like a mum and a mentor to them.”
Saying goodbye to her “second family” at the end of this year, Ms Tucker will soon finish her time with the Mount Gambier-based school that she has made such a big impact on.
Guiding many refugee children and their families towards successful lives and careers in a new, foreign country, she said she has been touched by the stories of survival she has heard.
“You just want them to be successful in their new country and to be recognised for who they are – not just as refugees,” she said.
“They are people with feelings and aspirations and I want Mount Gambier to get to know how wonderful they are and how many contributions they can make in our community.”
Taking on a full-time position with North Gambier Primary School in 2013, Ms Tucker has spent the past four years developing programs and helping the Karenni, Karen and Congolese refugees to adjust to life in the Blue Lake city.
From music and youth groups to fundraisers to buy books in Swahili for the Mount Gambier Library, she has played an instrumental role in both introducing them to the Australian way of life and helping to preserve their own culture.
Invited to perform African drumming and dancing at a number of events, Ms Tucker said it has been a great opportunity for the Mount Gambier community to learn more about the new arrivals.
“It gives them a chance to speak about themselves and where they come from and helps to change the way people think about refugees,” she said.
“It is not just for African kids, but for whoever is in the program, no matter what culture – it is about coming together.”
Encouraging others to look beyond the language barrier, Ms Tucker said it had been fantastic to see the students “come out of their shells” and show the rest of the community who they are.
“It is amazing to see them blossom over the years and see them emerge as beautiful individuals that preserve their dignity and love,” she said.
“They have become my second family so it is painful to leave, but I suppose that is why this program has been successful – it’s not just a job, it is about making a connection and giving a piece of your heart.”
An emotional but happy journey, Ms Tucker said there had been a fair share of highs and lows.
“When parents share their stories of how they have been in camps for decades and what they have been through it is heart wrenching to hear, you just want to give them a big hug and help to make their life better,” she said.
“I wake up every morning with a big smile and look forward to going to work and seeing the kids and doing something to benefit them.”
Starting in a similar position at a school in Adelaide, Ms Tucker said it would be a challenge to move on from her second family.
“I have only beautiful memories but I am looking forward to seeing how the new leader will take the journey and add something new, making it even bigger and better,” she said.
“I am leaving a piece of my heart here, it is not goodbye, just see you later.”
