ACE case studies
These case study videos show how Adult and Community Education transforms peoples lives.
Turning Points - an ACE-funded program in Coffs Harbour
We’re inspired by Lina and Shaha, refugees from Iraq who fled conflict in 2014. Despite numerous challenges, they found healing and pursued further education through the ‘Turning Points’ program, a non-accredited ACE foundation skills course at Coffs Coast Community College, empowering them to build brighter futures.
ACE Case Study
Renee Chetty:
Adult and community education allowed us to deliver this local programme that was purpose built for the area. It's important for Adult and Community Education to treat adults like adults. We allow them to grow and to flourish without barriers.
Turning Points was a programme where we Co designed we'd grow the music. We were looking at a programme to build around foundation skills that supported the learner in a more flexible way.
Lizzy Rutten:
Each course is completely different because of the people. The last couple that we've done it was for people, new migrants and people from refugee background.
So when I met Lena and Shahar at the college, we know that they're from refugee background so I know their story. They left like butterflies coming out of their cocoons and spreading their wings and learning an extensive amount of skills in that time.
Shaha Zaghla:
My name is Shaha, I'm from Iraq. Third of August 2014, when ISIS come to us and it was, it was so hard for us. My sister, she was kidnapped like ISIS take her.
Lina Hasan:
Me and my sister and my brother with one, my father and mother who are together. They take like everyone, anywhere. And they taken my sister. She was very young, Five years, she's old.
Shaha Zaghla:
So I met Lena in high school when I arrived to Australia. After one year, I met her and we just became friends. I'm so lucky she's in my life.
Lina Hasan:
Yeah, she's my bestie.
Lizzy Rutten:
We talked about what makes us human and humanity and everybody shared a story about their mother. And that was just so profound for me as a facilitator because you never know where the song's going to come from and where it's going to lead to.
Students playing and singing music.
Lina Hasan:
After I finished Turning Points course, I studied new course it’s calling Workplace Skills. In the course Workplace Skills, I learn computer and communication.
Shaha Zaghla:
The other thing I wanted to do is to help my community. The Yazidi community. So English skills in a community college course is helping me with my English and to become an interpreter.