A place where children feel safe. A place where three generations of one family can come together to build a better future. A place of hope.

Our Kuunchi Kakana Centre is an important place in Lockhart River, one of Australia’s most remote and disadvantaged communities. But right now, we are facing a significant shortfall after receiving less funding than what we need. The future of our services are at risk.​​​​​​​

We urgently need your help.

Growing up in Lockhart River, children like Keiian and Nardoo face huge adversity:

• Unemployment rate is three times the national Australian rate. 
• Groceries cost approximately 65% more than in a city. 
• School attendance is below 50%.
• People are living 20 years less than the average Australian. 
• The community has experienced great trauma and loss caused by the devastating rate of deaths including premature deaths and suicides.  

Greita, the boys’ mum, is determined to give them the best possible start in life—something she didn’t have herself. She was taken into the care system when she was two days old and lived in more than fifty foster homes in the course of traumatic childhood.

She brought her eldest son Keiian to the centre from day one. It’s such an important community and learning space for parents and carers to get together and support each other. It’s a place that encourages children to have fun learning, connect with culture, and acquire skills that are vital for school—from listening and taking turns.

 “I’ve seen my son change. He was struggling with language but soon he was singing and talking. And whatever we've learned at the centre, I've taken it home,” she explains. 

A child like Keiian might previously have been at a significant disadvantage, but thanks to the support the family has received, Keiian is eager to learn and build on a strong foundation of literacy and numeracy.

A better future for Lockhart River starts with children like Keiian. But the future of our work is now under threat. Please give as generously as you can to support families like Greita’s as they fight disadvantage.