Key Takeaways
- Trevanna and Deslie Ahoy, two Dunghutti sisters, overcame significant challenges to graduate from high school with the help of a unique schooling model.
- The Macleay Vocational College provides wrap-around support, including food, transport, and counseling, to help students achieve their educational goals.
- The college’s Ginda Barri Mums and Bubs Program offers specialized support for young mothers, including onsite childcare and connections to health and housing services.
- Despite facing poverty, loss, and housing insecurity, the sisters were determined to finish high school and create a better future for themselves and their children.
Introduction to the Ahoy Sisters
Trevanna Ahoy, 22, and her sister Deslie, 20, are two remarkable young women who have overcome incredible obstacles to achieve their goal of graduating from high school. Growing up in the proud and culturally rich community of Kempsey on the mid-north New South Wales coast, the Dunghutti sisters faced significant challenges, including poverty, loss, and housing insecurity. However, with the support of a unique schooling model, they were able to stay on track and achieve their dreams.
The Challenges Faced by the Ahoy Sisters
The pathway to graduation was not an easy one for Trevanna and Deslie. After their father’s sudden death, both sisters took an extended break from their studies in 2019. Shortly after returning to school, they both became pregnant, with Trevanna giving birth to her son, Daniel, at the age of 21, and Deslie giving birth to her son, Ezzard, at the age of 17. The sisters faced significant challenges, including balancing motherhood with their studies, and navigating the complexities of housing insecurity. Despite these obstacles, they were determined to finish high school and create a better future for themselves and their children.
The Support of Macleay Vocational College
The Macleay Vocational College played a critical role in the sisters’ success. The college provides a unique schooling model that offers wrap-around support, including food, transport, and counseling, to help students achieve their educational goals. The college’s principal, Megan Nicholls, notes that the school is often seen as a "last-chance" option for students who have been excluded from mainstream schools or are struggling with social and emotional issues. The college’s Ginda Barri Mums and Bubs Program was particularly instrumental in supporting the Ahoy sisters, providing onsite childcare, connections to health and housing services, and a social worker to help them navigate the challenges of young motherhood.
The Ginda Barri Mums and Bubs Program
The Ginda Barri Mums and Bubs Program is a specialized initiative that provides support to young mothers, enabling them to continue their education while also caring for their children. The program offers a bus to take young mothers to and from school, onsite childcare workers to mind their children while they attend classes, and connections to health, housing, and other support services. For Trevanna and Deslie, the program was a lifeline, providing them with the support and resources they needed to balance motherhood with their studies. As Trevanna notes, "I probably wouldn’t have got anything done if there wasn’t a school like this."
The Power of Sisterly Support
Throughout their journey, Trevanna and Deslie leaned on each other for support, despite the challenges and stresses of balancing motherhood with their studies. As Deslie notes, "We annoyed each other, probably rows and fights along the way, but it helped us both." The sisters’ relationship was a critical factor in their success, providing them with a sense of accountability and motivation to stay on track. As they navigated the challenges of young motherhood and high school, they drew on each other’s strengths and supported each other through the tough times.
A Brighter Future
As Trevanna and Deslie graduated from high school, they were surrounded by a proud contingent of family and friends, including their young sons. The ceremony was a moment of triumph for the sisters, who had overcome so much to achieve their goal. As Deslie notes, "It was one thing our Dad wanted us to do, to finish school. I just did it for Dad." The sisters’ determination and perseverance have paved the way for a brighter future, one that is filled with possibilities and promise. As they look to the future, they are proud of what they have achieved and are excited to see what the future holds for themselves and their children.