BOAB NETWORK

The Boab Network is a not-for-profit organisation which is 100 percent volunteer run. The Network was formed as the response to a suicide crisis in the small Kimberley community of Mowanjum in 2007. After consulting with the community, the Network decided to run school holiday programs for the young aboriginal people in the community. From there, the role of the Network has expanded to support and work with the community in other areas. The Boab Network operates on the value of relationships and two-way learning. They act as partners working with the Mowanjum aboriginal people to help them achieve their goals of economic independence and social sustainability.

The Boab Network was initially set up by Floreat Uniting Church, as part of their Creative Living Centre, but members of Wembley Downs Uniting Church have been involved for a number of years. Many have participated in the school holiday program, run for one or both weeks every holiday period in the community in Derby, others have helped in funding, and fundraising events, and supported and been active when members of the community come to Perth.

Click here to access the Boab Network’s webpage for more information.

Boab Network

BLACK PEARL NETWORK

The Black Pearl Network grew out of an appeal for support and partnership by the Gereja Kristen Injili di Tanah Papua (GKI TP) to the Uniting Church of Australia. The appeal was taken up by the Floreat congregation in 2008 when they sent a small group to visit Papua on an exposure trip in September of that year.

Out of the friendships made and relationships initiated on that visit, the Black Pearl Network grew into a network of concerned people with an interest in Papua and the heart to want to make a difference.

Early projects centred around clean water and sanitation and support for English language education as requested by the Papuan people and those efforts developed and were refined into the program run in Papua today under the banner of the Black Pearl Network.

English language education has become the principal area of action for the BPN in Papua although many other projects have run concurrently with them.

Again the Wembley Downs congregation has been actively involved, teaching, being conversation partners and providing homes for student.

Click here to access the Black Pearl’s webpage for more information.

Black Pearl Network