What do Hip-Hop and Religious Education have in common?

SRE teacher gets creative with care

Kenyan-born SRE teacher Wycliffe Onyango has been teaching religious education on the NSW South Coast for six years, and during that time there has been one constant. Creativity.

Need to boost emotional health during COVID-19? Why not try some hip-hop classes? (Yes, Scripture teachers can dance!)

Want to encourage generations to tell stories and share music — start a music festival for the local community and foster what Wycliffe calls “intergenerational discipleship.”

Desire to serve families in need: partner with local churches to create Christmas hampers, and start a Breakfast Club.

Through your support, SRE teachers like Wycliffe are contributing to students and community wellbeing, in and out of the classroom.

Another constant Wycliffe has seen as a SRE teacher is the value of time. Time to build, time to care, and time to teach. This was what drew Wycliffe to teaching in the first place, having previously worked as a youth worker.

“I really wanted to spend more time with young people, be in their space, get to walk alongside them,” says Wycliffe.

While classes are weekly, the effects often last far longer. Your support is building deep roots of resilience and faith in young lives.

Wycliffe tells an encouraging story about a surprising visit from a former student now in Year 11:

“He started doing scripture in year 8 after attending the ISCF lunchtime group for a few weeks and continued to the end.

“ After a few pleasantries, he said…’I just wanted to let you know that over the holidays I felt closer to God….I thought I should let you know. Thank you.’”

“It was a heartwarming conversation and a great boost to the start of teaching in 2024, “ says Wycliffe. “I am convinced that he has become a follower of Jesus and I praise God for him.”