Kyra Kum-Sing
As an Aboriginal Australian, Kyra is acutely aware of the problems facing indigenous peoples around the world. Within her own community, she has worked tirelessly on a number of different social issues in a bid to improve the lives of young people. She has been involved in a community-housing scheme for single mothers on low incomes and she is now employed with the Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal.
Kyra’s idea of change is to set up a program in the inner city areas of Sydney to help young Aboriginals strengthen their sense of cultural connection by encouraging a greater understanding of their history, traditions and culture.
She highlights the alarming rise in the incidence of suicides, drug and alcohol abuse and crime among the young people of her own community as being symptomatic of the disillusionment felt by many youths regarding their own futures. Kyra feels that many parents, either through a lack of education or a lack of interest, are not participating in their children’s upbringing. These youngsters are either unable, or unwilling, to take advantage of the opportunities available to others. Consequently, they feel let down – not only by their parents, but also by government and society as a whole. This results in breakdown of the family unit and a weakening of their own cultural identity.
With her Action Plan she wants to promote cultural programs and encourage cultural identity.
Kyra wants to use knowledge gained at OIYP2004 to develop cultural exchange programmes aimed at “bringing young people together to care and share for each other”. Her aim is to get young people involved in strengthening their own tribal groups and indigenous communities.
