2017 National Youth Week winner Mfaume Kakozi

Meet Darwin High School SIEU (Senior Intensive English Unit) student Mfaume Kakozi. 

In 2016 Mfaume, having recently arrived in Australia, was learning English  when he was asked if he would like to participate in the SBS National Youth Week competition. With the support of his teacher, Mfaume and other SIEU students made thirty second videos describing their identity.

All were incredibly amazing stories and very diverse in their topics. Mfaume was one of five national winners and selected among three other Darwin High School SIEU students who were also shortlisted.

You can watch the shortlisted videos by Clicking here.

Mfaume uses music to tell his story, an avid drummer, and through his music he wants to inspire people to overcome adversity.

 I want to share my story and make people happy. People in Australia are encouraged to achieve their dreams. No matter how hard things may be, you must believe that they will get better if you keep working on them.

The Darwin High School community is incredibly proud of Mfaume and all its SIEU students and today held a special assembly to launch Mfaume's film. Principal, Trevor Read said that

This amazing film is a credit to all the staff who work tirelessly with the students. Today there were many tears from students, staff, parents and community support agencies who were overwhelmed by the journey that Mfaume and his family have made. They have overcome unimaginable hardship in their endeavour to find a peaceful and safer life.

18 year old Mfaume, a war refugee had never before experienced film making or traveled to a major capital city in Australia. In February, this year, SBS flew him to Melbourne to produce his film, where he worked alongside his sister Safi, SIEU Faculty Senior Jenny Jenkinson and a production team from SBS. 

You can watch Mfaume's film by Clicking here