Championing food security

Year 9 Geography students at John Forrest Secondary College have again championed the CARAD (Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees) food security project.

The project provides students with a unique educational experience that bridged classroom learning with real-world challenges, with a focus on food insecurity and its impact on those living in Perth.  

This is the fourth year that the project has been a part of the Year 9 curriculum at John Forrest Secondary College. 

Head of Learning Area at the school, Rebecca de Beer said that through the CARAD project, students learned active citizenship by supporting asylum seekers in Perth who face barriers accessing basic resources. 

“The project began with an in-depth research component where students examined global food insecurity,” Ms De Beer said. 

“This included analysing the effects of climate change on food production and exploring adaptive measures farmers employ to mitigate these impacts. 

“The research not only informed students about international issues but also enhanced their understanding of how climate variability can disrupt food supply chains.” 

Ms De Beer said the practical aspect saw students fundraising and gathering food donations from their friends and neighbours. 

“Their goal was to create culturally appropriate pantry packs containing staples like rice and legumes, avoiding items such as baked beans, to better suit recipient’s needs. The packs also include personalised messages from the students, offering words of welcome and encouragement,” she said.  

CARAD relies heavily on community support and played a critical role by collecting the packs from students and distributing them to those who need them.  

Humanities and Social Science teacher, Julie Crozier, was key to the project’s development and implementation. She highlighted the importance of student involvement. 

“Everyone should get involved in active citizenship projects, as it fosters a sense of community and social responsibility,” Ms Crozier said. 

“It is our hope that this will inspire a lifelong commitment (in students) to service and advocate for those in need.  

“If we are successful, wouldn’t the world be a much better place?,” she said. 

The CARAD project continues to equip students with knowledge of global and local issues while empowering them to make meaningful contributions to their community. 

For more information, visit the CARAD website.