Karen Dorante spoke with Teresa Hutchins, Program Manager of World Vision's Early Childhood (ECCD) Program in Warlpiri and Warlpiri woman, Sheree Anderson. They spoke about the Aboriginal women's initiative on health backed by World Vision Twenty-three Indigenous women from remote communities in Northern Territory headed to Perth in February to train to become carers and run early childhood programs in their communities. The trip is part of a new program run by World Vision to help solve some of the intractable problems Indigenous people face in getting the skills they need to provide quality care, support and services for the healthy development of their babies and pre-school aged children. It is the first time these women have been given this support, which they initiated using royalty money given to their community by the mining industry. The four day trip to Perth included attending lectures on early childhood care and development at the Central Institute of Technology in Perth, and field visits to similar programs. The study trip complements the ongoing training program World Vision, with the Central Land Council, has been running in the four Warlpiri communities in NT the past year. The trip is the first time the women have come together to share their knowledge and support one another. Early childhood programs are critical to overcoming Indigenous disadvantage.
Health of children aged under 5 is particularly vulnerable and the earlier assistance is given to their mothers the better the long-term future is for them and their community. World Vision has been working with Indigenous communities to overcome disadvantage for the past few decades.