Eurobodalla girl Janaya Smith gave her all in the hopes of completing Year 12 – and this year she did it.
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In 2014, Janaya left her friends and family behind to live at Biala Aboriginal hostel for Girls in Sydney, and study at Mackellar Girls Campus. Biala provides accommodation and support for Aboriginal girls from rural and remote areas.
Campbell Page youth worker Flic Clark has supported Janaya on her journey.
“We have supported Janaya since she commenced at Biala and Mackellar Girls Campus,” Mrs Clark said.
“When she was in year 9, Janaya could see herself going down a negative path. She decided to change that, and push herself to explore the opportunities available to her.”
Janaya had nothing but positivity about her experiences in Sydney.
“I felt nervous because I was going to be meeting new people, living in a big city and attending a new school,” Janaya said.
Janaya said it was connections with other people, at home and Biala, that kept her on her path.
“I had a lot of support behind me, and the challenges I experienced shaped me and helped me grow,” she said.
“I gained a lot of confidence living away from home, especially building new friendships.”
Janaya said she didn’t always feel like finishing year 12 was an achievable goal, but she persisted anyway.
“I had disbelief in myself, that I would not make it through to Year 12,” she said.
“It wasn’t until I was halfway through Year 11 that I gained clarity about what I had achieved.
“My mum was my rock who empowered me to believe in myself.
“I did not want to let my mum down, and I remained at Biala to complete my school years.”
Janaya said that the most powerful things she had learnt weren’t academic.
“I learnt tools to pick myself up when I was feeling down, and that I am competent to improve my wellbeing,” she said.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity that was handed to me and grateful for my mum and family and everyone involved that had helped me on my journey.
“My advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island brothers and sisters is this – if an opportunity comes your way, take it by the reins and ride all the way.
“Don’t hold in your troubles, seek support.”
