Tjindu Foundation: helping young people shine

For many Aboriginal language groups across South Australia, the word 'tjindu' translates to sun or sunshine, so it was the perfect choice to name a foundation whose purpose is to help Aboriginal children and young people shine their brightest. The Tjindu Foundation aims to build resilience, school retention and employment prospects for the Aboriginal students who participate in their engagement and cultural education programs. When April Lawrie and Pauly Vandenbergh established the Aboriginal community-controlled organisation at the end of 2019/early 2020, they had no idea that activities would quickly come to a grinding halt, given a certain global pandemic - before they'd really even got started. But as their roles as South Australia's Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, and the National Diversity Talent Manager at the AFL respectively would suggest, this did not stop April and Pauly. Now, two and a half years later, Tjindu's programs are helping young people shine.