Ngurra Karti - Getting Back Home Program
Ngurra Karti (The Getting Back Home) program has enabled Martu to return back to their communities in a timely manner. The program has reduced the time Martu spend in town and therefore exposure to toxic influences which exacerbate substance abuse, violence and destructive cycles or behaviours.
Between May 2021 and December 2021, the program provided transport for 449 Martu (180 women, 149 men and 120 children) back to their communities.Reasons for transport included: escaping unsafe situations, children returning to school, relocation back to community, release from prison and returning home after hospital/medical appointments. 20 Martu have been employed as drivers in the program. Several other Martu have shown interest in obtaining an extraordinary Driver’s License so they too can gain employment.
Some snippets from the program
A family was desperate to have their two elderly boys to leave Newman ASAP and remove them from the pressures of being in Newman. Transport was arranged and they were driven to community where they are back participating in KJ Ranger work.
Three children who had been away from school for a week were transported back to community for them to get back to school.
A couple that had come to Newman for their Centrelink appointment were transported back to community; they were appreciative of being able to return immediately.
Family contacted KJ, concerned about 3 adult girls who had been stuck in Newman and they needed to have them transported back to community. The three women returned safely and within one day.
“My car has broken down, I don’t know what I would have done with my granddaughter if KJ didn’t have this program. When we were told that she got bail we didn’t know how we were going to get her to community Thank you” -
It is really bad what is happening in town. This project is good and helping Martu get back to Ngurra (country) where they are safe from trouble - Martu Elder