Refugee and Humanitarian program Success stories of the refugee and humanitarian program

John Kamara escaped war-torn Sierra Leone in 1999 and arrived in Tasmania in 2004 to start a new life. He has since dedicated his life to assist migrants, refugees and people from culturally diverse communities, often in a voluntary capacity.  

Working full time in Child Safety, John also sits on multiple boards and is involved in many community groups. He co-founded the Culturally Diverse Alliance of Tasmania to support education about multicultural issues and promote social cohesion. In addition, he co-founded the first ever African Communities Council of Tasmania which strives to strengthen relationships among African Australians and the wider community. 

John and his wife, Mavis, have also established Kamara’s Heart Foundation, a charity to support the education of children in Sierra Leone. He also assists with migrants’ resumes, jobs and housing as a practical way to support new arrivals. 

John is a leader in the community and often talks to people until all hours of the night to hear their concerns and stories. He wants to raise awareness of the challenges that migrants face such as racism, exploitation and recognition of overseas qualifications. 

“Showing people respect and insisting on grassroots consultation is a method that works not just for Africans, not just for refugees and migrants, but it is a leadership style that works for everybody,” John said. 

“I believe the way to lead is non-judgemental, listening to everybody’s point of view, and staying optimistic that things can get better if we work together.” 

John has been given the opportunity to utilise his leadership and expertise to advise on the Review of Australia’s Multicultural Framework as an appointed member of a reference group for the national Migration Review Panel. 

John hopes to use his voice to advocate for refugees and debunk the stereotype that refugees are “troublemakers from warzones”. 

“When we are put in that box, it makes the healing and the community building harder, and people don’t see all our potential and our positive qualities. 

“Refugees do carry trauma, but they can heal and if we invest the time to heal then we can bring the good and our productivity will double. 

“We can progress to leadership roles, contribute to the economy, and add so much to community life. 

“We have a different perspective on life, different languages and different points of view to speak from that can be enriching.” 

John gets his strength and motivation from his family and community, to continue making the world a better place.  

“When I see the long term effects of supporting and mentoring young people, and when they start to establish themselves in good jobs and build homes and express their gratitude and be examples in their turn, it is very rewarding.” 

Khalid Amiri built a successful career in Afghanistan as a journalist and presenter of the nightly news bulletin. A prominent face on television, he conducted high profile interviews with the Prime Minister and Government ministers there. 

However, Khalid had to leave that all behind immediately.

He was forced to flee his home, career and everything he worked hard for following the collapse of the national government and return of the Taliban regime in September 2021. Heartbroken by the conflict and not being able to say goodbye to family members, Khalid recalls how traumatic the situation was.

“I’m still haunted by the images I saw of crowds of Afghans at Kabul airport desperately trying to escape their motherland,” Khalid said.

Khalid arrived in Australia with limited knowledge of the country; just the Sydney Opera House and the men’s cricket team. Now today, he’s settling well in Melbourne with his parents, brother and five sisters. He is currently studying a Master of International Relations, for which he received a scholarship.

Khalid worked for a short period with the Asia Pacific desk at the ABC, has been invited as a panellist on the SBS show Insight and The Drum on ABC TV, and has participated in numerous media interviews where he’s been able to advocate for refugees and raise awareness of the conflict.  

For Khalid, the experiences and opportunities in Australia have been beyond his imagination. He is grateful for the protection Australia has offered him and the opportunity to contribute to society. The warmth and affection he feels from both Australian individuals and the Australian Government have brought some healing and sense of belonging. Khalid recalls the generosity of a particular university professor who visited his family, and gave them appliances and furniture to help them set up their new home.

Khalid feels ‘survivor’s guilt’ however he’s determined to use his voice in media to speak for Afghanistan and advocate for refugees.

 “One misconception I hear is that ‘refugees are a burden on society’.

“In reality refugees are resilient individuals who have endured immense hardships and have much to offer to their host society.

“Refugees have many skills and talents and perceptions to contribute to bettering their host society.” 

Originally from South Sudan, John Aciek spent his initial years in a Kenyan refugee camp where he was able to learn English. This proved invaluable upon his arrival to Australia in 2002, when he came to Western Australia as part of Australia’s Humanitarian Settlement program.

Despite initial difficulties, John pursued higher education, completing a bachelor’s degree in Economics and an MBA with a specialisation in Project Management. While studying, he found work in the manufacturing sector, which provided him critical industry experience. The global financial crisis however led him to explore new avenues.

John transitioned to the non-government sector in 2011, employing his academic qualifications and life experiences to promote community development. Today, John is a Community Development Officer with Ngala, working closely with the Australian Government. He is also a specialist in Community and Economic Development Consulting.

John’s commitment to service extends beyond his profession. He serves as the President of the South Sudan Community Association of Western Australia Inc. and coordinates African community leaders in the state with the Organisation of African Communities. Furthermore, he has served as a Community Advisory Representative for the City of Swan, Member of Advisory Council for Sudanese Affairs for the Anglican Church Diocese of Perth, Board Member for a local primary school and Coach of a local football team.  

John believes that the welcoming and open-minded nature of Australians is the most significant empowerment source for refugees, facilitating connections and opportunity when done right. He wants to highlight the immense contribution that refugees make to Australia’s values, linguistic and culinary diversity, as well as the unique skills and experience they bring to enhance cultural, social and economic benefits:

“Welcoming and valuing refugees is indeed a win-win for Australia.” 

Ganga Maya McNamara fled Bhutan in the early 1990s, when thousands of people sought refuge in UN-supported camps in Nepal. She spent almost 20 years there before settling in Albury, New South Wales in 2008. Because of the lack of opportunity for any schooling in Nepal, Ganga was illiterate in her first language. She wasn’t able to spell or write her own name, tell the time, or count to 100. 

Ganga enrolled in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) through TAFE in Albury where she gradually learned new vocabulary and was able to socialise with the other students. She also learnt how to sign her own name. 

Life began to change for Ganga; she felt more confident in her new home, she enjoyed attending classes and studying English, and she started forming friendships with other students.  

Ganga began work at a local factory and when her English improved, she worked at a childcare centre for five years. After attempting to complete a childcare qualification, Ganga realised she needed to improve her English further so she enrolled into the AMEP again. 

Ganga has come very far; she is now studying a Certificate II in Spoken and Written English part time while working as a cleaner. Ganga hopes to start her own childcare business in the future. 

Last year, Ganga presented at a Refugee Week event where she was able to speak confidently in English about her life before leaving Bhutan, camp life in Nepal, and her experiences arriving in Australia.  

Ganga loves cooking, and enjoys experimenting and combining recipes from different cultures. She’s provided cooking demonstrations of Nepali food for the local community in Albury. 

After being threatened with disease, famine and indiscriminate violence, Rumman Ali’s family fled Sudan in 2006 in the wake of civil war. Her family crossed the border into Egypt as refugees, However, Rumman dreamt of a future free from uncertainty, where she could go to school, make friends, and pursue a career in medicine. 

In July 2010, her family arrived in Australia under the Humanitarian Settlement Program, settling in the regional city of Toowoomba. 

“From the beginning, we never felt alone,” Rumman said. 

“There were people close who we could go to, who welcomed us and who then became our second family. 

“We gained a sense of belonging in the community and have welcomed the huge opportunity we were given for a second life we extremely needed.” 

Presented with the challenges of completing school in a second language, Rumman’s hardworking and positive attitude saw her graduate high school with the grades necessary to study Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Southern Queensland. She recently achieved her degree and is looking forward to a career in medical science and completing post-graduate studies. 

Rumman enjoys giving back to the community and currently helps local community organisations promote the needs of the most vulnerable community members. 

“It's incredibly fulfilling to see the impact we can make on the lives of individuals, fostering inclusivity and wellbeing within our community.” 

Rumman hopes to change the misconception that refugees do not add value to the community. 

“Settling into a new country is never the ending point for a refugee. 

“It’s a beginning to a future with many opportunities that will not only better our lives but those close to us and the community.”

Maria Rosales' family fled Venezuela in search of a life that would offer security and normality. In Venezuela, her family was a target of corruption due to her mother being a single parent running a small business. After Maria’s sister was abducted and the situation for her family in Venezuela deteriorated, Maria’s family fled seeking sanctuary outside of the country they once called home.

Maria arrived in Australia in 2015. She undertook study at La Trobe University completing a Bachelor degree in International Relations. Australia’s spirit of ‘mateship’ and cultural diversity provided her with camaraderie and a sense of belonging from her fellow students and university lecturers. Maria’s experiences at university cemented her aspiration to contribute to the settlement journey of others.

“I aim to put my lived experience and skills at the service of programs and research-based efforts that are focused on improving resources, and creating pathways and opportunities for people with migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker backgrounds,” Maria said.

This led Maria to conduct work and volunteer with numerous related organisations including Diaspora Action Australia and the Centre for Multicultural Youth.

Last year, Maria made the move from Melbourne to Brisbane, securing employment at The Social Policy Group. Here Maria is working on a review of the Settlement Engagement Transition Support (SETS) Program. Her contribution will help shape Australia’s humanitarian and refugee policy.

Looking forward, Maria hopes to one day change the misconception that refugees are a burden on society. She encourages others to not view refugees through the lens of trauma but one of empowerment and support.

“Refugees are human beings with extraordinary resilience, resourcefulness, talents, and skills.

“Showing refugees compassion, care, support, and safety, gives us a second chance to live our lives with dignity.

“These also give us an opportunity to heal, to reach our highest potential and be of service to our local communities.”

“Becoming a refugee is like stepping into a sea of uncertainty, which you would never want to do.”

Zabi and his two brothers, all of whom have disabilities, spent seven years as refugees in India before coming to Australia in April 2022. Zabi was born in the Parwan province in Afghanistan, an area that was under control of the Taliban. His family fled to India due to the security situation.

Being a refugee with a disability in India was an extra layer of challenge for Zabi.  However his resilience led to obtaining a scholarship towards a Bachelor and Master of Information Technology.

“When we were in India, most of the refugee youth had given up on the dream of pursuing their higher education because of their refugee status,” Zabi said.

“On the other hand, I persisted in contacting institutions until I was admitted and received a scholarship.”

Zabi was forced to learn English, Hindi and technology skills in order to complete his degrees. He even had to commute 42 kilometres every day on public transport just to get to university. Eventually his legs started giving way more frequently and Zabi required help from others to lift him up.

“I knew that my condition was progressing and it was inevitable.

“I choose to live my best, full of dignity and courage, and never used my physical limitations as a justification for suffering or doing nothing.”

Zabi defines finding out his family would be moving to Australia in 2020 as the happiest moment of his life, despite not knowing anyone in Australia.

“We saw a lot of people die during COVID-19 in India.

“My brothers were struggling to breathe; it was nightmarish and I was worried.

“We were just praying. It was God’s plan that we made it here.

“I finally had a place I could call home. I began learning about Australian history, political system, and culture in order to make the transition to living here easier.”

Now 24 or 25 (Zabi is unsure of his exact age), Zabi is working in IT at Uniting Communities and speaks 5 languages. He’s looking forward to upskilling to Australian standards to become a cyber security analyst or software engineer.

Zadi volunteered with the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) helping Afghans learn English and aspires to make that a regular commitment between work and his life.

“That was one of the best things I’ve done in Australia. If I don’t do something like that (volunteering), I just feel don’t feel very well.”

Zabi lives his life by the Stoicism philosophy and his faith. He views everything bad that has happened in his life in a positive light.

“If that falling and if that disability and that refugee journey did not happen, I wouldn’t have been the person I am today. So I am just grateful even for those bad memories.”

Looking forward, Zabi can’t wait to further make a meaningful contribution to Australia and other refugees with his winning attitude for life.

“For many Australians, refugees that arrive here are just numbers that they see on TV, and they think that this is someone else’s problem.

“This lack of connection leads to resentment between cultures and I have a responsibility to change that; we learn from other people and I want to do my part in this country.

 “I really believe in leaving the world a little bit better than when I found it, so I cannot wait to utilise all the opportunities this country offers to grow personally and to be able to give back to this society.”

Sami Sheebo's story originates in Iraq, as a member of the Yazidi community.  In 2014, Islamic State attacked his hometown. As a 23 year old pharmacy assistant, Sami witnessed horrific scenes. 

Islamic State arrested Sami. However, he managed to escape to the mountains with members of his community, with no access to food or water.

“I stayed here for about two weeks and then the International Coalition came by plane and delivered supplies to us. They helped us to escape to Syria and then to Kurdistan,” Sami said.

In 2018, the International Organization for Migration opened a program to help people affected by war. They brought Sami and his family to Australia.

Sami now lives in Coffs Harbour in New South Wales with his parents and sister. Upon arrival to Australia, he learnt English through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) for 6 months. Following this, he did volunteer work with a refugee clinic, and began work as a Teachers Aid at a high school and a Translator for the Department of Home Affairs, of which he still continues today.

Sami then secured employment as a Refugee and Multicultural Mentor for a recruitment service before moving to his current role as a Jobs Advisor with Enterprise and Training Company (ETC). Here he supports customers from multicultural communities with preparing for and securing employment. ETC also provides financial support to migrant and refugee organisations.

“I feel proud to work for ETC as we help many local refugees through our employment and training services.”

Sami’s own transition to Australia was made smooth thanks to his local community who embraced him with open arms. He encourages everyone to support refugees and not to “don't judge a book by its cover”.

“I feel very grateful to be living in Australia with my family and contributing to the success of other refugees.”

Mirza Hammo arrived in Australia in June 2019 on a special humanitarian visa. He used to call Sinjar, Iraq his home but that all changed in 2014 when the Islamic State attacked the Yazidi community. Mirza believed this was the end of his life.   

“We fled to Sinjar’s mountain in north Iraq and we went through a lot of difficult situations,” Mirza said.

“I thought that was the end because we lost many people from our Yazidi community, and many people very close to me as well."

Mirza remained trapped in the mountains for two weeks with little food, water and sleeping on rocks.  

Thankfully Mirza was able to resettle in Armidale in New South Wales in 2019 with some members of his family. He worked in construction to support the rest of his family in Iraq and faced the challenges of settling into a new country.

“When I first arrived to Armidale, I was very nervous because I didn’t know anything about Australia.

“Everything was new - English language, culture, new country - but now I love living in Australia. It’s an amazing and safe country.”

Now 26 years old, Mirza is currently studying and employed as a youth worker with the Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors, where he is able to support his community. He is very appreciative of his new life here.

“On behalf of myself and my Yazidi community, I would like to thank the Australian Government, the Australian community and all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for their kindness to us, and welcoming us to this beautiful land.”

Khalid Adi fled war-torn Iraq and was resettled in Australia in 2018. Khalid and his family have built their new life in Armidale.

This year, Khalid, his wife Basima and their three children became Australian citizens.

“26 January 2023 was a special day for me because I got my citizenship which means I am Australian forever,” Khalid said.

“I am so happy that now I can say I am an Aussie.”

Khalid and other refugees in the local community have contributed to growing Armidale and he’s very grateful for this opportunity.

“The local Yazidi community has greatly helped in re-invigorating our regional town, establishing new local businesses, participating in local sport, doing very well in local schools, and holding events to which the broader community are invited.

“I would like to give thanks to those who helped us to settle in this beautiful and peaceful country. Thank you to the Australian Government and the Armidale community.”

Khalid’s community helped him to learn English as he only knew a few words upon arrival to Australia. He has come a long way in a short time, completing a Certificate III Spoken and Written in English at TAFE in 2021. Khalid also completed a Tertiary Preparation Certificate to study at university.

Khalid looks forward to continuously supporting his local community. In 2019, he was a contributor to a ground-breaking local creative project called Stories Connect. The project featured in the New England Regional Art Museum as a major exhibition, a short film and an SBS podcast.