Fourteen-year-old Syrian refugee Nada stole the show at the Celebrating our BR4R Community event at Tintenbar Hall recently.
Nada was one of three refugee panellists who told of their experiences, challenges and achievements since arriving here.
In perfect English, Nada, who could not speak the language when she arrived here nine months ago, told us about the differences between her new school, Mullumbimby High, and her previous one in Beirut.
The family of five, after fleeing Syria, had spent many years in Lebanon, where Nada said the Syrian school children were discriminated against, and not taught properly. She is now thrilled to be learning many new subjects, including art and music.
The audience of over 50 members and friends, were enchanted by her poise and confidence, and she was applauded enthusiastically when she told us of her ambition to be school captain one day.
Nada’s father, Foaad, also speaking excellent English, said he didn’t want to talk about the past. “The past is important for learning, but it is more important to look forward to a beautiful future for my family,” he said.
With his wife, Heba, and daughter Leen looking on, Foaad grinned with pride as he listed his challenges and achievements since arriving here – giving up smoking after 25 years, which was achieved within a month of arriving, getting his driver’s licence in only three months, and learning English.
He was effusive about how much he loved Australia, saying that he was happy to pay taxes and hoped to give back to the country that’s helped his family so much.
Venezuelan refugee Juan-Carlos had our mouths watering as he described a Venezuelan dish that he likes to cook. But he may not have much time for cooking now because he’s just started a full-time job in graphic design, which is the area in which he worked before coming to Australia.
Juan-Carlos also expressed his love of his family’s new life and was particularly appreciative of the Australian health system. Juan-Carlos was accompanied at the event by his wife, Gaby, and their son, Jean.
The last two speakers were volunteer Olive Mallory and Vice-President of BR4R, Isabelle Borrelli. Both were speaking of their experiences as members of Community Supporter Groups (CSGs).
Olive, with tears in her eyes, described how delightful it had been for her and her husband to pick up Nada from school each week to take her to swimming lessons, developing a deep friendship with her. We may be proud of the help we give to refugee families, but Olive showed us how much we can also receive from them.
Isabelle talked passionately about CSGs and how they work, and how rewarding it is to be involved – in fact so rewarding that the group is about to welcome their second family.
Attendees also enjoyed the presentation of a slideshow which displayed the hard work of the volunteers and members, especially in fundraising, and also happy social times with the resettled families.
The afternoon ended with an afternoon tea, generously supplied by the many people who brought a plate of food to share.
Stop Press! On World Refugee Day, Foaad wrote the following to the members of his family’s CSG:
“In my name and in the name of my family, I would like to say thank you very much for your interest, care, embrace, support and unparalleled humanity.
“My family moved from the worst conditions we experienced previously, to a better, safer, more respectful, more humane life and a better future. You cannot imagine the difficult circumstances we lived through before this was achieved. This beautiful dream.
“And now we live here with great happiness and we hope that all refugees will be able to have a nurturing environment, as we found this wonderful nurturing environment.”