The 15-week Young Doctors project trains Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal school students, aged nine to 11, to be health ambassadors and positive role models within their communities.
When The Malpa Project is invited to a community, there is a gathering of Elders, respected community leaders, parents and educators to discuss ‘What do your kids need to know to lead strong, healthy and long lives?’
Selected school community leaders then develop the program to meet the needs of the local children, with Aboriginal traditional knowledge and ways of healing brought together with Western medicine.
Training Young South Australian Doctors
Young Doctors projects began rolling out across South Australia in 2018.
To date, AnglicareSA has supported and celebrated the graduation of more than 250 students across primary schools in northern and southern Adelaide.
Program activities are aligned with the Australian School Curriculum and equip children with knowledge in nutrition, hygiene, environmental health, wellbeing and identity, health literacy and leadership.
The Young Doctors then spread their learnings to friends, family and the wider community.
The children are taught by respected members of their communities, including Elders, in a fun-packed but structured program.
Malpa is a Warlpiri word which means ‘friends on the journey’ and the idea of children being ‘doctors’ is deeply embedded in Aboriginal culture.
Hear from some of our Young Doctors
We asked recent graduates from Munno Para Primary School what they thought about their training. Here’s what they had to say…
X
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors to AnglicareSA’s website are advised that this website may contain images, names, and voices of people who have died.