TLG’s mission inspires Kim’s return to Meekatharra
Feeling both empowered and challenged, Teach Learn Grow (TLG) volunteer Kim Wade-Wear (19), returned to Meekatharra for the second time this year under a mission to tackle education inequality.
Kim has recently completed her first year of studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education at Curtin University. As an enthusiastic volunteer, Kim set out to enrich her university experience by joining Curtin Volunteers! (CV!), a student-driven volunteering hub which develops the leadership skills of those who want to better the community.
The Remote and Indigenous Program run by CV! offers students the opportunity to engage in sustainable work with youth in Indigenous communities including Laverton, Leonora and Meekatharra.
Kim says “the first time I visited Meekatharra was through one of the Remote and Indigenous Programs where six other volunteers and I assisted with the annual Outback Festival, disco ball and got to help out at the Youth Centre as it was the school holidays.”
“I made a great group of friends, was able to meet passionate individuals who shared the same goal of living rurally, and fell in love with the town of Meekatharra.”
Shortly after the trip, Kim applied for TLG’s 2019 summer Rural Program. Her successful application saw her travel with ten other tutors to Meekatharra District High School, a school located 800km north-east of Perth.
Kim describes her experience on the Rural Program at Meekatharra as “an incredibly special one.” She says “doing TLG gave me the opportunity to return to Meekatharra and continue to build strong, positive relationships with the students.” Being involved in both TLG’s eMentor and Rural Programs has also helped Kim gain a greater understanding of the disparities that exist in WA rural and remote communities.
“It allowed me to see how much the youth value continuity and feel first-hand the impact of providing one-on-one tutoring. I also found the transition into tutoring them much easier as the kids I had met at the Youth Centre recognised me and I was able to tutor some of them and see how they’d progressed since I last saw them.”
Kim has a strong ethos for providing high quality education to students in low socio-economic areas and plans on relocating to a rural school when she graduates. Her biggest goal as a future educator is to create an Australia where all students are given access to the same educational opportunities no matter what background they come from.
TLG is grateful for volunteers like Kim, who commit themselves to make a difference in the community. “I highly recommend volunteering with TLG as you not only get to build meaningful connections with young people but also contribute to a larger cause. You'll feel personally inspired, empowered and rewarded.”
