*3.4. Using Available Resources*

The study findings demonstrate that African youths in Australia draw on available resources when negotiating identities in Australia. For example, finding other youths from another community for social networks and a sense of belonging. They also draw on available services for youths in the community to maximise their access to resources that support their needs. Lastly, engaging in sport is another key activity through which African refugee youths negotiate their identities in Australia. Some participants who did not have their 'ethnic' communities in Australia revealed that they negotiated their identity through their friends in order to find a community for social activities and belonging. The following quote demonstrates this sentiment.

I don't have my community here, like tribe; you know how Sudan, they have different tribes. So for me, I don't have that community here so I get involved in other people's communities, like other tribes. If they have program and stuff, I go there, just with my friends. (Participant 10)

The respondents in the current study also had a belief that there is a moral impetus not only to make use of available opportunities but also to actively seek support from others in obtaining and making effective use of those opportunities.

If you are youth here in Australia, you are a very young person, you get so many supports and so many help, and you should be seeking to get that help. There are a lot of sports activities. If you're good at it Australian people will take you, you know. For example, if you want to make music and you're really good at it, you can get a scholarship. If you're good at basketball as African youth, you can get a scholarship. (Respondent 20)

Additionally, drawing on individual strengths of resilience and determination were important for the participants in this study. They acknowledged there were challenges of settling in Australia. In order to achieve their goals and contribute to the Australian community, however, participants emphasised the need to remain positive and focussed. The following two quotes demonstrate these views.

I think to be a young African youth in Australia—well, for me it's a good gift, and it's a great gift because no matter what happened to you if you're still following your dream then I think it will be a good gift. (Respondent 17)

If you're still alive, you are rich because one day you might become rich but if you're dead, even though you are rich nobody will call you as rich because you are a dead person. That keeps other kids to push their lives, because they know one day, they will be rich. (Participant 11)
