It’s about livin’
Kimberley Spirit Foundation is a not-for-profit that exists to empower young people in the Kimberley to rise up to their full potential.
The Kimberley is an isolated region that has the highest rate of suicide in the nation, particularly amongst Aboriginal people (who constitute half of the Kimberley’s population). Substance abuse; poor health and nutrition; and lack of local employment opportunities have contributed to a cycle of poverty, neglect and hopelessness.
Kimberley Spirit Foundation has a vision to help reduce youth suicide and empower the next generation to thrive, not just survive. We dream of fit and healthy kids who are livin’ their best life and thriving on-country. Our aims are:
FEEDING KIDS
Full bellies and good nutrition are important for kids to thrive. There are various factors that are preventing indigenous kids in the Kimberley from getting hearty meals such as disconnection from their traditional country, parents with substance abuse problems and a large portion of kids having fetol alcohol syndrome (FASD) within the various towns and communities.
“Every Friday afternoon, we cook and deliver hearty meals to kids around Kununurra. Our current program is feeding 70+ kids, but we hope to increase this to two nights per week in the near future. ”
We are currently using our own vehicle, but we dream of having a delivery van so that our volunteers can help us cook and deliver these meals on a rostered basis.
ON-COUNTRY WORK AND RECREATION
One of the Kimberley’s primary industries is tourism and, at present, many jobs are fulfilled by short-stay seasonal workers that migrate here intermittently. This means that cultural tourism opportunities are limited; tourists are not offered an authentic local experience; and the Kimberley’s youth don’t get their foot in the door for employment during a critical point in their lives. Subsequently, teens are faced with the options of moving far away to the city or relying on government assistance if they stay. Our future goal is to offer free tourism training to Kimberley youth in order to give them the greatest advantage in gaining local employment on-country.
We also have goals to develop programs around watersports, fishing, keeping kids off the streets.
ABOUT KSF
Kimberley Spirit Foundation is the dream of local man (author and award-winning tourism operator) Scotty Connell and 5 board members - an eclectic bunch representing different age groups and cultures. They are leaders in their individual fields and they each have a heart for the Kimberley and its people. The foundation is financed by private donations plus income from our own tourism and art businesses, including Scotty’s 4wd touring company Kimberley Spirit Tours. We certainly welcome the help of others including ambassadors, volunteers and brands that want to partner together with us.
