Welcome to the Companion House Newsletter Issue 1 Companion House works Development Team, a systems and the May 2008 with survivors of torture group of six project community at large and trauma, those who officers from a rich array welcoming and sensitive have fled torture, of backgrounds and to the needs of refugees. persecution and war. experience, who work on We have a number of Most of the people we issues of cultural new staff, please have a work with are refugees transition, health look at their from many different parts promotion and introductions in this of the globe. community capacity newsletter if you want to We are a health building. They are know more about them. organisation working currently working with Remember to keep an from many different the Mon, Karen, Hazara, eye out for Refugee perspectives. Many and Sudanese Week events between readers will be familiar communities, and other 15th and 22nd of June, with our medical service newly arrived with a theme of “A for new arrivals and communities. We also Place to Call Home” and asylum seekers and have a small Training, the 21st Anniversary of counselling and advocacy Community Awareness the UN Convention services for new arrivals and Advocacy Team th

Against Torture on 26 and longer term settlers. working with other June. service agencies, Perhaps you don't know Warm wishes to friends volunteers and policy as much about the and supporters of makers to make service Community Companion house for the approaching winter. Kathy Ragless, Director Burmese Crisis Support

As this newsletter goes to be printed we are also very sad to see the death toll and chaos of the Burma cyclone. Our sincere sympathies to those people from Burma who are anxiously awaiting news from their families.

OF TORTURE AND TRAUMA If you would like to make a donation or send a message to Burmese Australians, please email

[email protected]



Inside this issue: Thank you from Companion House  We would like to thanks the “Road Ready

News from the Community 2 Fax:(02) 1416 6247

Centre” at Canberra Technology Park,  Development Team Watson for its support of the Karen Community for a Road Ready Course held

Introduction of new staff 3

5-6 February 2008. ASSISTING SURVIVORS  Thank you once again to Blackmores for Sudanese Social Organization 4

their very generous donation of vitamins

Ph: (02) Ph: 7227 6247

and herbal preparations. 

AO.CBE.FASSA 7

Introduction to new staff continued  Oliver Family for donations

 Quest Employment Solutions for donations 8

Farewell to Megan and Vieli  Mid Winter Arts and Craft Committee,

Yarralumla Congregation, The Uniting Staff List 9 Church in Australia, for donations.

 Peter Steele and Jennifer Tode for

10 Migration services.

Companion House Membership

Form

COMPANION HOUSE: Patrons: JusticeElizabeth AO Evatt EmeritusJerzy Zubrzycki Professor William Professor Maley, AM HonoraryDr Consultant: Lucy Ong Fairfax 41 Street, ACT O’Connor 2602 News from the Community Development Team

Welcoming the Karen Community and the Karen New Year in Canberra 2008

We are now hosting over 50 Karen current CD team, both new and old people in Canberra. Mostly they live The 5th January is a day when Karen staff to pursue the goals of in the Northside and Belconnen areas. People from NSW and Victoria came community development that we have and joined hands with their Karen laid down, and move beyond to build The Karen people are one of major brothers and sisters in Canberra to the Karen Community into a self- ethnic nationalities in Burma who hold a Karen New Year celebration, reliant people in this new cultural mostly live in Eastern and Southern the first ever celebration of its kind in environment. Burma. our town. The event was organised by

The Karen community were settled in the Australian Karen Organisation, I would like to thank our Director, the ACT and Australia-wide under the ACT (AKO - ACT) with in kind supervisor, CD team members and all Commonwealth Government's support from Companion House. staff who worked hand in hand to Humanitarian Program for those After a short while of settlement, the achieve a wonderful Karen New Year people who are seeking protection on Karen families and community have and Karen Community Program in the Thailand – Burma border. They built closer links with local 2007. This program aims to create and were forced to leave their home community with the support of increase a sense of choice and country in fear of lives during the volunteers and support workers. belonging for all individuals as well armed conflict between government as the whole Karen community. troops and ethnic armed groups over Companion House has been working Finally I would like to thank to the the last over 50 years. hard to provide cross cultural transi- Karen community for their time and tion programs to those who settled in The government troops also removed effort in work together over the last 10 the ACT and region. The Karen the Karen people from their own months along with parents and young Community Program is one of our homes and villages in recent years people. I am looking forward again in core Community Development (CD) during the construction of a new 2008 to be a successful year for all. Projects in 2007/2008 and I am capital in central Burma. Companion assigned to run the Karen Program House took the initiative to run both for youth and families. I am very parenting and cultural transition pleased to do this work with our CD Hong Sar Channabanya, programs for the Karen community in team staff. I will be working with the mid 2007. Project Officer

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Introduction from new staff

Ina Susljik Hello all, worked as a psychologist in private 1993. These days I like very much to My name is Ina Susljik. I have been practice. I find this work challenging visit the former Yugoslavia, working at Companion House since but at the same time very rewarding especially in summer time when the October 2007. For those of you who and I find great pleasure in meeting Croatian coast is simmering with haven't met me yet, on your next new people. Through my work, I tourists, the beaches are pristine and visit to Companion House look for have been able to help some people in Bosnia you can find the best me in the kitchen, you can find me find more productive, healthier “cevapcici” in the world. So if in brewing coffee.....just kidding. ways to live their lives, however July you notice that I'm absent from every single person that I have met Companion House you will know Actually Companion House feels has also thought me something where to find me. like home and I am immensely valuable. I appreciate this and am proud to be part of this family. I look forward to meeting you all grateful to them for the lessons. and please next time you are at Prior to arriving in Canberra, I lived I was born and grew up in Yugosla- Companion House come and say in Sydney and worked as a research via, but unfortunately due to the hello. psychologist at the University of civil war my family and I had to New South Wales, and I also Ina leave. We arrived in Australia in

Belal Khalidi Hi my name is Belal Khalidi. Administration from studying at (as some of you might know) used CIT where I received a Certificate IV to work here as a councillor. I also I have recently been accepted into in both subjects. Before I was have two younger sisters called the Companion House “family” (as i employed here I worked at the Marjan and Ariana. like to call it) and I am very proud of Department of Agriculture, I love playing, watching, reading it. Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) in and dreaming about football The main reason why I am proud to Barton as a Administrative Officer. I (soccer) and I also enjoy history and be part of this great organization is am also currently working at architecture. Please don't be afraid because I myself came as a refugee Rydges hotel. to approach me if you want to know into this country in the year of 1990 more about me because I myself My parents were also very involved from Afghanistan. So in a way its would love to know more about in this area of work. My mum Sara my way of giving back the help that you. used to work for the Migrant my family and I received. Resource Centre (MRC) for a long Regards I have a background in Human time assisting migrants from all over Belal Resources and Business the world. Where as my dad, Iqbal

Sandra Lloyd My name is Sandra Lloyd and I worked as a cross cultural trainer for extended to me by all the staff at have recently joined Companion children’s services with the Ethnic Companion House. I am looking House as a Community Child Care Resource Unit and as a forward to the opportunity of Development Project Officer. I have researcher at Edith Cowan Univer- working with parents, carers, families been employed on the Sharing and sity and University of Wollongong. and their communities in the near Learning for Refugee Communities When my husband and I started a future. Project and will be assisting family of our own we made many newly-settling families in processes moves around Australia and also of cultural transition. I was born in overseas to Somerset, England, and Sandra Johore, and spent my early to Djarkata, Indonesia. With our childhood in Malaysia but later lives now being more settled my moved to Christmas Island. When return to the workforce has been my family had the opportunity to eagerly anticipated. I am thrilled to move to Australia, my interest in be part of the Companion House cultural diversity led me to study mission and would like to say Anthropology. I have previously thank-you for the warm welcome

Page 3 Sudanese Social Organization

I have noticed that the traditional systems of social organisation in may confuse people who are non Sudanese. If you are interested to know how this society has been organised in term of social groups or then this article should be helpful. I will explain the Sudanese way of social organisation with the example of the Dinka tribe. I will write what I know about social, economic and political systems for the Dinka. I am trying to answer one central question which many people ask; what is a tribe according to Sudanese? This is a question that service providers who are helping Sudanese in their settlement in Australia ask themselves.

Bare in mind that Sudan is the largest country in Africa with very diverse cultures, religions and race. I am not an anthropologist nor an expert in explaining everything concerning the whole country. I am just writing about one example of a tribal system of social organization, particularly in the locations that I know well. I focus particularly on the Dinka Bor clan or sub-tribe. Most of the in Canberra come from the Dinka Bor, although not all.

The Dinka people, Demography and Geographical Locations: Myths that different sections of the Dinka people hold about their history explain that God {Nhialic} created them first. and Abuk are understood as equivalent of Adam and Eve. Garang was their first born. The Dinka people then descended from Garang.

The Dinka people are also known as {Jieng or Muony-Jang}. The Dinka are the largest social group in Sudan with a population ranging from 2.5 to 3 million people. The Dinka people are found in Bahr El Ghazal, Upper and the Southern regions of .

The Dinka tribe is constituted of three main subtribes namely the Bahr El Ghazal, Bor and Ngok. Each subtribe is comprised of many different sections. A further division of each section results in a subsection known as 'Wut' dia- lect. Each Dinka subtribe, section and subsection may or may not have a separate political entity with its established rights to a well-defined territory or land. The diagram below is showing the three main Dinka subtribes, sections and their physical geographical locations. It is very confusing sometimes, especially when you find some sections are being called a 'tribe' or wut. For example Aliab is a section and it might also be called 'subtribe' or Wut.

Table 1. Dinka 3 main subtribes, sections and Geographical locations

1. Dinka in Bahr El Ghazal Subtribes Main sections {further division of each will produce 'Wut'} Rek {Aweil} Malual giernyang Pangak Thoi Luach Agar {} Pakam, Rup, Nyang and Gok Rek Aguok, Apuk, Awan and Kwach Rek {Tonj} Luach Yirol Aliab, Ciec and Atuot 2. Dinka in Upper Nile Subtribes Main sections {further division of each will produce 'Wut'} Bor Bor, Twic and Duk Ruweng Alor, Bil Kuei Bailiet {Ngok Lual Yak} Abailang, Nyiel and Agier 3. Dinka in Abyei {Kordofan} Subtribes Main sections {further division of each will produce 'Wut'} Ngok {Deng Kuol} {Nine sections} Abior, Achaak, Achuang, Alei, Anyiel, Bongo, Diil, Mannyuar and Mareng

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Dinka Subtribes/sections: A Dinka section is an alliance of lineages that are bound by blood and other individuals or families who had attached themselves either by marriage or another kind of relationship. The sections identify itself with a particular line- age originally derived from one of the main chief 'bany' who is the most dominant and has the power over the land of the sub- tribe or section. The section may have a single ancestor or more Dinka traditional customs. The Dinka people are very proud and ethnocentric but hospitable and friendly to their guests. They maintain a high moral standard code of behaviour such as eating manners and a sense of personal dignity known as 'dheeng', Dinka dialect for integrity. They deal with others the way others behave to them. Dinka culture is centred on cattle as the means of livelihood. It is the medium of exchange whether in marriage, payment of debts and blood price, or for sacrifices to the spirits and on major occasions and rituals.

Social, economic and political organisation: The Dinka tribes have no central body that unitethem. Each subtribe or section has it own systems of social organisation. There is no social and political federation of all the major three subtribes of Dinka. Each subtribe has its separate institutions, social structures and political authorities existing traditionally in it. Most Dinka sub- tribes and sections are very autonomous politically and exists under the authority of chiefdom which is hereditary and holds the title of 'bany' boss or ruler. The chief plays an important role as expert.

The Dinka spirituality and beliefs: The Dinka believe that living and dead (ghosts) people interact togather. Tradition permits addressing God and the spirits of the departed ancestors and relatives either directly or through a medium of communication in a special offering place known as 'yik' which is situated in every Dinka homestead. Dinka cultures and arts: The most important cultural asset of the Dinka is the cattle camp, where all social activities; traits and behaviours including courage and heroism, generosity and respect for social norms are cultivated. Dinka literature remains orally expressed in songs, poems, and folklore. The different Dinka sections have evolved their different articles of arts, music and traditions. There are of course many different types of dancing performances and songs. One common art is that of war using spears and sticks. The Dinka start practicing stick and spear fighting with great skill developing in adulthood. Dinka have a very close relationship, cultural and language that is almost similar with the Nuer, Shilluk and other Nilotic groups in Sudan. The Dinka call foreigners (jur) and according to the colour of the skin for example, „Jur chol‟ refer to black foreigners and 'jur mathiang' refer to light skin people such as Arabs.

Marriage is obligatory among the Dinka. Every male is expected to raise a family and can marry as many wives as possible. The same to the Dinka female, she is expected to have a family of one husband with or without co-wives. Relatives or brothers may marry for the ghost male who died in infancy, many „ghost fathers‟ exist among the Dinka tribes. A bride price differs between Dinka clans, sections and lineages. It ranges from thirty head of cattles to hundreds depend on the girl‟s beauty, wealth and the nature of marriage arranged between the two families. The bride's family distributes these dowries among uncles, brothers, fathers, mothers and all the relatives, each has a share in the bride‟s price. University graduates fetch more bride price; a factor that has positives affected girl‟s education in Dinka tribes. Like other Sudanese, sex among the Dinka is only for social reproduction. Thus, fornication is prohibited; adulterers are despised and heavily fined, and this is also a common source of con- flict among Sudanese. Incest is usually unimaginable and indeed prohibited.

Naming of the child. Every Dinka male is given an ox by his father, uncle or whoever is responsible for him to perform his tra- ditional songs that praise the family background and promote the level of formality. Most of Dinka names are also derived from colours of the cattle and a girl is named after the colour of the best cow e.g Ayen, Yar,and the boy is named after the best bul e.g Mayom, Malith, Mayen, that was given in marriage by the father or in sacrifices. Like in other Nilotic group in Sudan, Dinka have special names for twins for example Ngor, Chan, Achan, Dit, Madit etc. Bol (male), or Nyibol (female) is a names given to a child born after the twins.

Sub-tribe: Dinka Bor is a subtribe which has three main administrative sections that include Bor south, Bor central [Twic] and Bor north [Duk]. These group are historically related to each other in locations, sub-culture, dialect and chiefdom authority. However, there are very slight differences in dialect accents, cultures and traditions. Each section is further divided into sub- sections known as Wut. It is very difficult to notice these differences among the three groups especially when you are an outsider who is not a Dinka. But you can note the their differences during conversations with each other and some traditional marks on the person foreheads or any where on their body.

Each Dinka section consist of more than one subsections. and there are other smallest divisions known as 'Dhien'. All these so- cial structures are very confusingly described as a tribe, clan, section etc. you may or may not understand what a tribe is? Even myself, I can not tell exactly whether Dinka Bor is a tribe or clan. The confusion here is the terms used to describe each system. Researchers have described them very differently. There are small differences in Dinka sections, subtribes and within one loca- tion even. For example, the Dinka Bor subsections know as Wut include Abek, Awulian, Angakuei, Kongor, Paleek, Abodit, Nyarweng, Ayual and many sub-sections are divided further into smallest unit known as 'Dhien' a Dinka dialect for lineage. call it Diel too with different spelling. The very smallest group in this division is called 'Pan' (with compound name add to it e.g Pan-Garang). Pan is the common word used by many African people such as Pan-African movement in South Africa, Pan African women organistion and Pan-Jieng etc. Pan in Dinka means descendant of a man, home, village or family.

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Table 2. Traditional social organisation and the government systems

Traditional systems Government systems Major Tribes {regional locations} Sudan Government of National led by the President of the Republic of the Sudan, Omar. Tribes, Sub-tribes and sections Regionals Government e.g Government of led by President/Vice President of the Republic of th Sudan, Kiir. Tribes, sub-tribes and sections States Government e.g led by Governor, Kuol. Sub-tribes and Sections County e.g Twic County led by Commissioner, Diing. Sections and sub-sections Payams e.g Nyuak {Ayual, Awulian and Diacuek led by Civil Administrator). Sub-sections and kin groups Bomas e.g Ayual and its kin groups led by Chief Administrator.

The traditional system and the government systems: The Government of National Unity is the Government of the Republic of the Sudan which is constituted of Southern, Western [Darfur], Eastern, Northern and Southern Kordofan Regions. The Gov- ernment of Southern Sudan is comprised of 10 states in the south as in the Agreement reached in 2005 between south-north after two decades of war. These ten states include Jonglei, Lake, Central, Eastern and Western Equatoria, Western and Eastern Bahr El Ghazal, Warap and Upper Nile. Each State is constituted by one or many different tribes. For example Jonglei State has the Nuer, Dinka Bor, Murle, Anyuak and Kachipo tribes. County is compromised of one or many Payams, mostly people from one or different tribes. Boma is the smallest government units which is constituted of many villages or court centers where popula- tions always belong or related to each.

In summary: Every person's culture is important. All human beings belong to either family or collective cultures, every person feels proud about his or her culture no matter how others may have different perspectives about it. Understanding and respecting other cultures is a skill that every person needs to have in order to apply his/her daily helping profession. After reading this article I hope you will know where the Dinka is located in other parts of Sudan. Subtribes, sections and its units or lineages which form whole Dinka tribe. Marriage and naming of the children may interest you too. Dinka beliefs and myths about their history may or may not sound good to you. I have tried as much as possible to explain all the systems of social organisation which is hard to translate to English words. I advise you to Google, research and contact Companion House for reference materi- als about the Dinka of Sudan traditions. Add the knowledge you get in this article to what you have already and you will under- stand Sudanese better. African cultures are almost the same, so understanding one culture will lead you to others. By James Atem Mayen, Companion House Bi-cultural worker

Principles of Service

 We acknowledge and respect the strength and resourcefulness of survivors of the refugee experience.

 We respect and respond to diverse needs including those determined by culture, religion, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.

 We promote client independence, self-control and informed choice.

 Our services are based on a holistic approach to health care.

 We have a strong commitment to the confidentiality of all client information.

 We will work in strong partnerships with government and non-government agencies and individuals to ensure health care and other service systems and communities are accessible and sensitive to the needs of survivors of torture and trauma.

 Our services are open and accountable to feedback and suggestion from clients and the community.

 We promote and preserve human rights.

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Introduction from new staff Cont...

Vesna Golic Community Development Team Leader I originally trained as a teacher, but the period 2000-2006 I served as Ex- my professional life was marked by ecutive Director of that organisation. My name is Vesna Golic and I joined war related developments in my I am delighted to have the Companion House as the country. In 1995 I joined the peace opportunity to work at Companion Community Development Team movement which brought me in House. My work enables me to Leader in February 2008. I was born contact with peace activists from the enrich my experience by learning in Croatia where I spent my child- entire region of former Yugoslavia. about war affected communities hood and youth. When the war My activism and better insight into from different parts of the world, broke out in my country in 1991, I the suffering of people affected by and to enhance my commitment to fled to Serbia together with my war throughout the region inspired peace and conflict resolution. I am family. There I spent most of my me to commit myself to work with interested and amazed by cultural adult life, until 2006 when I moved refugees. In 1996 together with a diversities, and therefore even more to New Zealand with my Kiwi group of friends and colleagues I excited to be working for an organi- partner. My partner’s work for the was one of the founders a of sation that gathers people from dif- United Nations brought us to Belgrade based organisation that ferent cultures, and creates warm Canberra a year ago and we will promotes human rights and civil and open culturally diversified. stay here for another 4 years. society values, and provides sup- port to people affected by war. In Vesna

Carolyn Rolls I have recently joined the Compan- one I'm looking forward to working I Look forward to sharing ideas and ion House team. I will be working with the children at Urambi Primary learning with you all. one day a week in the Children Pro- and also with the small friendship group North Ainslie Primary. I have gram. I have already work with Carolyn Deborah on two of the Children's worked with children for almost 30 Holidays Programs and enjoyed the years using play therapy and sand experience very much. During term play.

Jon Priadi Community Development Worker communities communicating social Canberra in 2006 and became interested in their community work Hi my name is Jon Priadi , this is a and political concerns through art. targeting people from conflict rid- little story about my life. I was born My wife and I moved to East Timor den and post conflict countries. I am in Sumatra-Indonesia and studied in 2002 to work at Gembel, a youth delighted to be working with the Japanese Literature at Gadjah Mada community centre develop the African Young Men's Group and University, Jogjakarta. During my capacity of young Timorese, many hope that my background and times as a university student, I be- of whom are still suffering post experience working with young came involved in the student move- traumatic stress disorder. In people can contribute to making ment that helped bring down the Canberra, I have formed a new improvements in their lives. And dictator Suharto in 1998. At the time, collective, The Culture Kitchen, and also I am very happy to be part of some artist and fellow student activ- have facilitated exchanges between the Companion House team. ists established Taring Padi (lit. the Canberra, East Timor and Indonesia. I heard about Companion House fang of rice) art and culture institute. Jon We worked with rural and urban when my wife and I moved to

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Farewell to Megan and Vieli

THANK YOU FROM VIELI THANK YOU FROM- and commitment - it has been a great MEGAN privilege to work with you! I particularly want to wish the Hi Everyone, I resigned as Community Community Development team well. Just to say a big thanks to all staff Development team leader (job-shared The CD team is made up of skilled and clients, current and past for the with Vieli) at Companion House in staff with a huge range of cross- wonderful time and family like work December 2007 in order to spend cultural and work experiences and I place. I did not ever think I would be more time with my children and am confident that they will be able to saying goodbye, but I have to. I have family, which I have been thoroughly take on the challenges the work had so much fun and experience enjoying. Companion House is a very presents. In many ways the CD work working with staff and clients of special place and a hard place to at Companion House is about Companion House. I am sure one leave so it is with mixed feelings that navigating unchartered waters, so it day you will give me another I say goodbye! opportunity to work and learn from takes courage and creativity and an fellow staff and especially the Thank you very much to James and openness to new ideas as well as very wonderful communities that I the staff team for 'releasing' Vieli and good people skills to do it. happen to have had the pleasure to I and sending us off with a beautiful give to and take from in one way or Sudanese blessing. I appreciate the I will look forward to staying in the other, in terms of service opportunity to say a sincere thank touch! delivery. Sorry I have to stop because you to all the people I have worked Love and Peace i can't continue without dropping with at Companion House in the last Megan few tears. Thanks V 8 years from all over the world - I have learnt so much from you. Thank you also to the fantastic board and staff for your support, expertise

Pa

Companion House Staff (as of February 2008) Director Kathy Ragless Project Officers Hongsar Channaibanya Administration Coordinator Siri Mon Chan Loan Huynh Zoe Whymark Sandra Lloyd Reception Jon Priadi Belal Khalidi Vesna Golic

Practise Nurse/Date Officer Katherine Bishop

Senior Counsellor/Advocate IT Support Elizabeth Price Eric Warner

Counsellor/Advocate Bi-cultural Worker Robin Alderson –Smith James Atem Mayen Ina Susljik

Children’s Counsellor/Advocate Bookkeeper Deborah Nelson Gen Hemsley –Wilken

Early Intervention Counsellor General Practitioners Fiona Delacy Dr Katrina Anderson Dr Joo-Inn Chew Dr James Elderidge Dr Chris Philips Trainer/Advocate Amanda Raward Complementary Therapy Rosemary Taylor Medical Services Coordinator Silvia Salas Meyer

Companion House Board of Management

Chairperson Digby Habel Secretary Jennifer Hurley Treasurer Carol Keil Members Kathy Ragless, Helen Cory and Gillian Hunt

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 Page 9 COMPANION HOUSE MEMBERSHIP

Financial Year 2008/2009

Membership helps fund the valuable services Companion House offers to the survivors of Torture and Trauma. Regular Newsletters will provide you with up-to-date information about Companion House services, local events relevant to the organisation and optional training sessions.

Please complete the following membership form and return it and the fee to;

Companion House (ABN: 9834 9936 816) 41 Fairfax St O'Connor ACT 2602

Membership Fee; Organisation: $27.50, Individuals: $11.00 (Fees include GST)

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