By Alesha Capone
Amer Madol Majak is making a difference to the lives of South Sudanese women living in Victoria.
The Tarneit resident, 26, has established the Diar South Sudanese Mental Health Organisation, which is dedicated to engaging and empowering South Sudanese women to fight mental health issues within their community.
“What we do is provide counsellors, social workers and activities at a community centre where we have women come together, share food and speak about what we can do better for our futures,” Ms Majak said.
“To me, it’s not necessarily about the broader impact – if you can make a difference in one person’s life, that’s a lot.”
Ms Majak, a mother of three, said that seeking help for mental health issues was “nothing to be ashamed of”.
She said that apart from herself, a core group of seven other volunteers helped to run the organisation.
Ms Majak said she was grateful for the “great help” she had received from community leaders such as Victorian Legislative Council president Bruce Atkinson and Wyndham mayor Mia Shaw.
In addition to working with Diar South Sudanese Mental Health Organisation, Ms Majak is studying to become a pilot.
She said there were not many professional female pilots in South Sudan, which had inspired her to pursue aviation as a career.
“I want to say to other people: Just take advantage of this great country of ours [Australia],” she said. “We have so much to offer as women and the community.”
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