The Kajji Foundation journey starts in years 5, 6 and 7 when these young members of the community hear the stories of those that have gone before. The stories tell of playing sport at a high level or pursuing artistic or intellectual talent in opportunities that aren’t available in their communities. The children will know that the opportunity to undertake The Kajji Journey cannot be provided to everyone. It is not enough simply to have talent but one must be prepared to make the most of it. Perhaps hearing these stories motivates some to attend school, make better grades and generally apply themselves a little more effectively.

In year 8, the Kajji Foundation journey starts in earnest. A week or two is spent living in Melbourne playing sport, music or whatever other area of talent the young person has.

Again, in year 9, a few weeks (or perhaps a longer period) are spent getting used to life in urban Australia. We hope that the connections that are made during these short visits will built a strong base for what is to come and will allow for a two way exchange of information and understanding between the people involved.

In year 10, the exchange begins in earnest with the young person living in Melbourne for two school terms. Given that the Foundation’s beginnings arose from the Australian football connection, terms two and three have been used thus far to co-inside with the junior football season. During the two term exchange, the young person lives with a family as a part of that family. They learn to experience the different ways that families operate. They become apart of the local social group and develop new friends whose backgrounds vary widely from their own. They are held together by a common thread of youth, enthusiasm and the pursuit of their area of talent. The young person takes pride in demonstrating their achievements in their area of talent.

Many questions are asked of the young person about were they live, what their friends are like at home and how their families and society in general operates. One of the most significant parts of The Kajji Foundation Journey is that, in having to explain this, the young person develops an understanding of their own culture that is hard to obtain whilst you are still involved in it. It is only when the young person spends time away from their culture and exposed to the Melbourne experience that the differences become apparent and their own culture and be seen from a new perspective.

By allowing young people to look back at their origins from a distance, The Kajji Foundation Journey provides the opportunity to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in each culture. Hopefully by understanding the strengths and weaknesses of their culture and of the culture they find in Melbourne, the young person can choose a path that contains the best of both worlds.

At the end of the year 10 experience, a serious discission needs to be made. If the young person has the desire to do so, a place in a quality Melbourne school may be made available for all year of year 11 and year 12. The decision whether or not to except this offer is a difficult and life-changing one. Living away from home and family for this extended period creates a whole new set of challenges. The Kajji Foundation provides guidance in meeting these challenges and we hope that the skills that are obtained in meeting them provide the basis for good life choices and leadership in the future.

The Kajji Foundation understands that taking such a pathway is not for everyone and there are no expectations on participants to continue along the journey if their personal or family circumstances do not recommend it.

At whatever point The Kajji Foundation journey comes to an end, it is our hope that the young person has been guided towards achieving their potential for themselves and their communities.