At our meeting on the 16 Aug held at the Club in Caroline Springs we invited Robiel Abraham to speak about the African Youth Initiative (A.Y.I). Robiel is the co-founder and chief executive of A.Y.I whom have recently been awarded a $150,000 government grant to support their initiatives in Melton and across the West. He gave a very inspiring talk on what they have achieved in helping young Africans make an positive impact on society. Since 2020 they help and aspire young Africans through "Weekly Mentoring Program", the "African Aspire Program" in schools and to come and "United Families Forum".
A.Y.I. is a not-for-profit organisation formed in response to the disengagement of African Youth within their communities and their personal experiences as African youth growing up in the western suburbs of Melbourne. Through role-modelling and a range of programs mentioned above, they aim to reconnect African youth to their communities and empower them to be positive contributors to society. Sport plays an important part of this connecition and they have recently partnered with the Western Bulldogs for a "GOAL Mentoring program". I had the priviledge of attending one of their weekly Friday night sessions that run from 8.30pm to 11.00pm at Derrimut Sports Stadium and I was impressed by the skill of these young men and adults.
Robiel was born in Khartoum, Sudan and came to Australia when he was 4 years old with his family. He lived in 3 different states including Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria. His family moved to Melton South in 2013 and we have lived here for 10 years. Studying at Melton Christian College, Robiel completed his Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, where he majored in Neuroscience.
His best friend Aken Angok and him created A.Y.I (African Youth Initiative) in 2020 in response to the loss of their childhood friend Machar Kot, who was stabbed to death in 2020. You can view their vision and misson statement here. They brought together other young people from the African Community in Melton who they saw as great role models for the younger community. They created AYI with the purpose of bringing hope to the community and showing younger people that there was another way other than senseless violence. Their Christian faith is what compelled them to try to make a change and it is their faith that pushes them to serve our community. Robiel is also involved with Men’s Fellowship, a Christian men’s group, that one of our directors and founders, Malou Lueth, founded in 2019. His hobbies & interests include football (soccer), basketball, history and science.
