Learning from the Voices

of FiCT Bicultural Facilitators

Ma. Antonina B. Or tega

Introduction

Families in Cultural Transition (FiCT) is one of STARTTS’ foundational

group based psychosocial education programs that has assisted people

from refugee backgrounds over many years to increase their social

connections and understanding of Australian systems and way of life.

The program’s strength lies in its delivery by bicultural workers drawn

from the same community as the refugees, speak their language and

understand both their culture and the Australian environment. Most of

the facilitators come from a refugee background, practised their

profession in their country of origin but had difficulty finding

employment for the same field when they came to Australia. Since the

program began, a total of 186 facilitators from more than 27 ethnic

communities, were trained as FICT facilitators.

Evaluation outcomes using the Social Capital methodology suggests

stronger connectedness among refugee families and communities as a

result of their participation in the FiCT program. They develop support

networks that help them overcome grief, anxiety and social isolation. It

has helped build on their strengths– resilience, adaptability and

motivation – to help communities foster social connectedness, promote

wellbeing and create a better life in Australia. STARTTS however, have

not evaluated the FiCT program in terms of its effects on the bicultural

facilitators, if any. Thus, this evaluation.

Methodology The qualitative evaluation of FiCT was conducted to enable STARTTS to

better articulate the outcomes and benefits of the program on the

bicultural facilitators. How has FiCT helped build facilitators’ social capital?

Specifically, it seeks to explore: 1) the impact of undergoing FiCT Facilitator

Training on the individual facilitator; 2) the impact of delivering workshops

on the individual Facilitator; 3) the FiCT facilitators perception of the flow

and effects this has had for their families and communities.

Results

Evaluation outcomes using the Social Capital methodology suggests that

the facilitators’ involvement in FiCT opened up opportunities to

employment, education and community engagement. Through FiCT, the

facilitators gained insights on communicating with refugee groups, which

led to their further

understanding of the

community’s needs,

strengths and poten-

tials. This changed their

way of thinking, becom-

ing more receptive to

other perspectives, and

respectful of people’s

culture. As a result, this has increased their confidence and self-esteem,

and motivated them to be involved in community development either as

volunteers, community leaders, support workers, or resource speakers.

This has further led to new job opportunities, or aspirations for further

studies. FiCT has not only benefitted refugees, but has also provided

positive outcomes for its bicultural facilitators.

Conclusion The project demonstrates that FICT does not only benefit

people from refugee backgrounds but the FICT bicultural

facilitators as well. Resources should be invested in continuously

upgrading their skills as they play an important role as community

leaders, change agents and intermediaries between service

providers and their communities. Continued support and

mentoring , updating of FICT-related materials, and professional

development is necessary to enhance their skills.

Straight from the facilitators

“I came to Australia as a migrant. Being a migrant, I understand how other refugees and asylum seeker have gone through their lives, experienced hard times and suffered from trauma, torture as I have experienced it too. And that motivated me to work for these people”

Afghan facilitator

“Through FiCT training, I came to know the things that I need to do,

how to get involved with our communities, life in Australia… It was

useful to me as an individual …gave me an insight. The way I think

when I was in Nepal is now different from how I think now.”

Bhutanese FiCT facilitator

“One participant said “I do not hold a

diploma, but I do hold knowledge

that will stay with me forever, cor-

poral punishment, domestic vio-

lence”, and they say it with pride. And

it makes me feel good when they say

that.” Tibetan facilitator