Dandjoo Darbalung’s Uni Survival Starter Kits – An Update from 2018 Winner

Our 2018 Primary Grant Winners, Dandjoo Darbalung provides equity of access for Indigenous students through its program, which in Nyungar means ‘mixing together’ the way fresh water and the salt water mixes in the Swan estuary across from St Catherine’s College.

Their Uni Survival Starter Kit project will provide kits for 100 new Indigenous students over a two year period to equip them with the basic living essentials needed to successfully transition to university.

These kits will mitigate anxiety and shame felt by students who are inadequately prepared to tackle daily university life, ensuring that they start out on the right foot to build their independence and succeed.

As of March 2019, 42 first year Indigenous students have already received an individually tailored backpack and basketful of basic living and study items (linen, toiletries, stationery, laptop, SmartRider, course books, individual tutoring) in order to ease their huge transition into tertiary education.

These packs are critical to improving confidence, helping students to fit in as well as cope with the basic life/study challenges they face. Another 58 students will have received the same support of basic needs by the end of next year.