SUPA news in Alice

By Mel Quilliam

Alice Springs has been in the news for all the wrong reasons this year. But beyond the headlines of youth crime and alcohol bans, we are seeing seeds of hope spring up in this land. Thank you for your support in making this possible!

Late last year we started a new after-school SUPA Club at Larapinta Primary, which has been embraced by the local community. Up 20 children from Larapinta, the neighbouring Lutheran school, plus a few from other schools and homeschooled children attend as well.

Volunteers from four local churches have also pitched in to help run games and activities, while we explored the “Conversations with Jesus” resource developed by SU New South Wales.

Some of the children attending have been going through a really tough time at home, but really enjoy the programme.

One mum in particular says that for her son “Monday is his favourite day of the week”, because of the SUPA club.

Please continue praying with us for more volunteers as we look to grow this program.

This year we’re looking to kick off a new SUPA Club at Yipirinya, a community-owned school for Aboriginal students that includes a blended Western and Aboriginal curriculum.

In Term 4 last year we ran a Christmas drama at the school, where we had the opportunity to share the Christmas story and connect with the children and staff.

The school has had its fair share of challenges, including a myriad of social issues, and having to run classes at multiple sites after a mini tornado ripped the roof off some classrooms in term four.

It’s encouraging to see the level of interest among potential volunteers, across numerous local churches, as well as support from the school staff from varied religious backgrounds.

Our town is quite green at the moment, as we’ve had a lot of rain recently, which I believe is indicative of the new opportunities we have to show God’s love and hope to the children, young people and families in our community.

Thank you as always for your ongoing prayers and support. I look forward to sharing more updates from Alice in the coming year!

Keep local ministries like SUPA Clubs going and growing in the NT. Visit sunt.org.au/donate.