AWAU Training Programs

Supervisor: Angelica Ojinnaka and A/Prof Tinashe Dune 

My name is Rayan Srour. I am currently in my third year of my Bachelor of Health Science at the Western Sydney University. As part of my unit for Health Promotion, I have been allocated for student placement at the African Women Australia (AWAU) organisation which I am extremely excited to gain and obtain essential knowledge that is unexplored. I have always had a strong desire to help improve a person’s quality of life in any way that I can. I am grateful for this opportunity provided to me and look forward to the next 10 week at AWAU!

Supervisor: Angelica Ojinnaka and A/Prof Tinashe Dune

My name is Sandra Soliman.

I am in my third and final year of studying public health at Western Sydney University.

I enjoy helping people and I am very interested in further understanding the AWAU organisation. I am excited to learn how to write an ethics process during my placement, look at a community census, and explore the mental health needs of African youth.

Supervisor: Angelica Ojinnaka and A/Prof Tinashe Dune

My name is Ecem Altunsoy and I am currently a health service management as well as a therapeutic recreation student at Western Sydney University. My love and passion for a healthy lifestyle has allowed me to choose this field as I am extremely passionate about improving patient care. My hobbies include reading as it allows me to expand my knowledge, exercising as it allows my mind to rewind and relax, spending time with family and friends as I strongly believe having an encouraging support system is crucial for human development. I cannot wait to obtain and gain knowledge about the management filed with AWAU! I want to thank everyone for giving me this opportunity. 

Supervisor: Angelica Ojinnaka, A/Prof Tinashe Dune

As an intern for AWAU, I will be working to curate important research on Therapeutic Recreation within African youth communities, online community awareness of therapeutic practices to support wellbeing, and research/presentation skills. This internship will be important to support the development of my foundational training as a specialist in Therapeutic Recreation, and ensure I develop necessary cultural competency for my field.

Supervisor: A/Prof Tinashe Dune, Juliana Nkrumah AM, Angelica Ojinnaka

As AWAU's Administrative Assistant I developed important mentorship, community engagement and organisational management skills. This was very important to my development given my foundational training as an Adult Educator with experience in higher education teaching and management, research and project coordination, and in community development activities. Building on my PhD in Education from the University of Technology Sydney I was able to apply my skills, creativity and innovation to support my profile of working in African Development.

Supervisor: A/Prof Tinashe Dune, Juliana Nkrumah AM, Angelica Ojinnaka, Elizabeth Tunha

During my time in the Master of Research at Western Sydney University, I enlisted in a Research Internship program and was matched with African Women Australia on their Employment and Social Development program. Within this project I have provided social media support and community engagement to promote the project and ensure that AWAU maintains a modern reach with their members. The team is inspiring and I have since gotten further offers of employment based on the skills I learnt here.  

Supervisor: Angelica Ojinnaka and A/Prof Tinashe Dune

During my third-year at Western Sydney University I was a placement student, studying a Bachelor of Health Science (health promotion and public health). I worked on developing a report with AWAU on the use of podcasts and social media within the African Australian women community. We explored ways to improve the health of African women in Australia through podcasts and identifying any gaps that AWAU could fill. I worked alongside an amazing project team, from which I gained great knowledge and skills.

Supervisor: Angelica Ojinnaka and A/Prof Tinashe Dune

During my Bachelor of Health Science and Public Health student, majoring in health promotion at Western Sydney University, I became a placement students. During my 12-week professional placement at African Women Australia (AWAU) I contributed to their research on social media and podcasts to engage African (and other minority women) in health promotion. AWAU has given me the opportunity to develop my passion and understanding of community health promotion.

Supervisor: Angelica Ojinnaka and A/Prof Tinashe Dune

During my health promotion placement I worked with AWAU to develop smartphone app to support Sexual and Reproductive Health for youth aged between 15-24 years within Australia. I also worked on writing a book chapter on using Participatory Action Research to be published by Springer. This work helped me to see how research can translate into service development and improvements in practice. This has supported my goals of supporting individuals and communities regardless of ethnicity, status, sexual orientation, and other diversities. 

 Supervisor: Angelica Ojinnaka and A/Prof Tinashe Dune

During my placement I worked with AWAU to develop a Sexual and Reproductive Health Application for youth aged between 15-24 years within Australia. We began generating ideas in and soon enough got to contacting Australian App developers. The motive and overall idea for the App was to ensure all youth (regardless of ethnicity, status, sexual orientation etc) has equal access to an informative, inclusive, safe and accessible app regarding sexual and reproductive health  information and where youth can access facilities and services near them for help.