Learning service in new territory

What an amazing, life-changing experience!

During school holidays last year I had the pleasure of taking part in Tatachilla Lutheran College’s service-learning trip to some of the most remote communities in the Northern Territory.

Nine senior-school students and five adults made the two-week trip to serve people at five communities, including Ampilatwatja, which is located approximately three hours drive north-east of Alice Springs. For many, it was the first time they had been to this part of Australia.

However, it was the third annual trip to the region for students from Tatachilla (McLaren Vale, south of Adelaide), thanks to a partnership with the LCA’s Finke River Mission. Students have been involved in many practical tasks at remote Lutheran churches over those three visits, including repairs and renovations on buildings at Ampilatwatja.

This year’s focus was ‘enhancing relationships’, as well as basic maintenance work on church sites. Much time was spent sitting with the locals, sharing tea and skills, and getting to know them. The females of our group were honoured to go on a bush food and medicinal plant tour with local women. Later they ate roo tail and bush potato, and sat in the red soil painting on canvas, t-shirts and cards. Students also spent hours building bonds with laughing local children: kicking footballs, creating loom bands, face painting, dancing and enjoying other fun activities.

The Tatachilla group presented locals with gifts, including musical instruments, which uncovered a shared love of music.

Local Ingkata (pastor) Frank Turner and Tatachilla College pastor Jon Goessling led a bilingual Sunday service, with students creating beautiful music for those celebrating communion. We were delighted by the poignant singing in language by a small group of passionate Aboriginal women.

The visit deepened the existing relationship between Tatachilla and the Ampilatwatja community and its neighbours.

Dolores Amos is the indigenous education and resource officer at Tatachilla Lutheran College.

Service Learning in Lutheran Schools

The Lutheran Education Australia vision is that service learning is central to Lutheran schools. The mission of the Lutheran school demands that service becomes an integral part of the school and its practices. Service learning brings service to the forefront by embedding the concept into teaching and learning programs across all levels of the school community.

This feature story comes from The Lutheran February 2016. Visit the website to find out more about The Lutheran or to subscribe.