(Clockwise from left) Boing Deng Boing, Agok Takpiny, Michael Apout, Kastro Chol-Mengistu and Robert Aduer are members of the South Sudanese community who want to change perceptions as part of the #AfricanGangs campaign. Credit:Chris Hopkins Dozens of images shared using the hashtag show young Sudanese Australians graduating from university, working as doctors, serving in the army and enjoying AFL matches. "Thanks mum for instilling #AfricanGangs values in me," wrote one woman. "Been at my current employer for seven years, run my own business and in the final stages of a double degree." Maker Mayek, a Sudanese-Australian man behind the campaign, said something needed to be done to counter "appalling" media coverage and political comments about the South Sudanese community. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton last week said Melburnians were afraid to dine out at night as a result of the incidents. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has accused the state Labor government of not doing enough to stop youth crime and gang violence in Victoria.

Youth worker and South Sudanese man Michael Apout. Credit:MIKE WILLIAMS "Every person I've spoken to in the community feels targeted, Mr Mayek said. "People say you can't go to shopping centres anymore without being called the n-word. "[Racially motivated] incidents have happened that indicate this has had a serious impact on our general perception. People are extremely angry about it and extremely hurt." "Two #AfricanGangs graduate with a degree in crime": A new hashtag is empowering South Sudanese Australians. Credit:Mariia Manhom Mr Mayek said the Sudanese community acknowledged there were issues with a small number of youths behind the incidents and was working hard to resolve the problem.

"As a community we do acknowledge there have been issues to do with transition right from the get go, right from the time we arrived in this country," he said. "Celebrating my birthday with my beautiful friends. No gangs here." Credit:Emily Yuille "This generation are not at all connected to South Sudan, they don't even enjoy South Sudanese cuisine. Apart from race, they're Australian. "They have friendships in school and their own networks and these networks have infiltrated these youths to act in a manner that does not conform with the law. South Sudanese lawyer Maker Mayek.

"This is a small portion of the youths but the overwhelming majority of youths are doing really well." Youth project worker Michael Apout, who runs one of eight state government-funded Empower Youth programs, said the young people he worked with were receptive and wanted help. "I'm an optimist. These young people, all they need is support and help and once they get that support and acknowledgement of what they're going through, then definitely they will do the right things."

Mr Apout and Mr Mayek agreed a generational and cultural disconnect between South Sudanese youths and their parents often added to their sense of isolation. "That conflict is going on and it has been acknowledged by the elders and parents and everyone is doing their best to try and facilitate the transition," Mr Apout said. "But when you come across those negative comments from the media, it becomes too much for the community and young people who are doing their best to feed into a society they call home. "They're being questioned and their presence and identity has been questioned."

Mr Apout's program supports at-risk teens referred to them by Victoria Police and parents and provides them with education pathways and mentorship. Both men said they were disappointed at Mr Dutton and Mr Turnbull's comments. "When Malcolm Turnbull came into government I thought we were seeing a moderate Liberal," Mr Mayek said. "Unfortunately he's brought along people like Peter Dutton who would like to pounce on the story and trample on a minority. Afrikia Mart owner Agok Takpiny said the recent discourse had affected him a lot. He said he has been called "the N word" and had the public give him bad looks because he is South Sudanese.

"I am a graduate, I run my own businesss, I have a family, three kids, my wife and my house. If someone tries to give me a bad look by passing on the street because other people have done something bad, it affects my psychologically." He said the hashtag aims to show Australians that they are contributing to the community. "We are putting it out there that ... we are good people. We are showing other Australians who don't know us. It's to deconstruct the bad image that has been created," he said.