By Charlene Macaulay
A year 11 Werribee Secondary College student who fled war-torn Congo and was separated from all but one sibling has received a $500 scholarship from WynBay LLEN.
Ikanga Djembe, who is undertaking an engineering VET course, was the successful recipient of the inaugural Youth Potential Scholarship, which will help him cover the costs of his VET course next year.
The 19-year-old Werribee resident fled Congo at nine years of age when his house burnt down. Ikanga and one of his brothers eventually reached a refugee camp in Zimbabwe, where he stayed for a few years before his sister, who lived in Werribee, was able to sponsor him to come to Australia.
The pair are now working to get his brother to Australia and have discovered their other sister is alive and well, but do not know if their parents and another brother are still alive.
“It is hard without my mum and dad,” he said. “Of course I have all the essential materials that I need to survive and be able to go to school, but having parents supporting you is a feeling I want more than anything.
“My sister supports her own children and helps me, I know what a burden I am on her. As she works many hours I look after the children, cook, clean and make sure that they get to school on time.”
Karen Kennedy from WynBay LLEN said the organisation, which offers two tertiary scholarships to year 12 students going to university each year, started this new scholarship due to demand and was thrilled it had been sponsored by The Gordon.
She hopes to offer more scholarships for next year and called on local businesses to consider sponsoring a scholarship.
To sponsor a scholarship, call Karen on 9394 6334.
