Hand in Hand Project

I am excited to inform the Virtues Project friends that I was awarded for the 3rd year in a row a Grant by the Multicultural Affairs Queensland (Australia) to run a program based on the Virtues Project I have called "Hand in Hand" during the 2006 education year at a very multicultural high school. The objective of this Multicultural project is to create a better understanding of cultural diversity and community relations, and offer opportunities for community development activities.

Based on my own experience as an immigrant, I have developed the program "Hand in Hand" to assist newly arrived immigrants/refugees envision how they can contribute to a harmonious Australian society. The "Hand in Hand" strategies are based on an understanding that every individual, irrespective of racial, cultural, religious or social background, has the potential for exhibiting kindness, respect, unity, and service, and thus making a positive contribution to society.

Many students at this high school are refugees and have suffered extreme trauma, grief and loss, as a result of conflicts being settled violently in their homelands. Some have come from refugee camps and have lost respect for self, for one another and for authority, and have not experienced peaceful resolution to problems.

The classes were held every week for 40 min. The project duration was 10 weeks. Every 10 weeks a new group commenced the course. The course focused on the specific human virtues. These virtues are; Kindness, Friendliness, Respect, Unity and Service. The students learn more about these virtues by group discussion, interactive games and conflict resolution exercises. As the final feature of this program the students then decided to do an act of service for someone else and present it to the class. At the completion of the ten week lessons the students receive a certificate of achievement.

During the last 2 years the Hand in Hand program has reached about 230 students from about 30 different nationalities.

I was fortunate to work with a very supportive and professional school staff without which I could not do all the things I have done. I am sharing this with you all in the hope that you may be inspired to take advantage of other opportunities that our communities may offer to you.

Loving Greetings,

Shidan Toloui-Wallace Brisbane Australia