Ever since the horrible Tampa boat ‘incident’ I’d felt quite disempowered about the state of refugees, that is until a chance encounter about 18 months ago.
I was walking my dog on the beach and I met a newly arrived Syrian refugee family (it was their second day in Australia!). I learnt from the person with them that the family were being supported to settle locally by a volunteer community group through the CRISP program.
I was so excited!! Finally a way I could practically support refugees. A few months later I had joined with other Ocean Shores volunteers and we were planning to help another Syrian family settle locally.
As a support group, we were responsible for everything to mentor this family for their first 12 months. Bank accounts, school and TAFE enrolments, social support, Centrelink registration, car licences, finding jobs – and most importantly birthday parties!
We began communicating with them before they arrived – starting with very formal emails and transitioning to more casual WhatsApp messages while we learnt a little bit more about Heba and Foaad and their three children. We found out that Nada and Leen had created a calendar to hang on the wall and they marked off every day before their flight with a big cross. We were all so excited!
We asked questions about the children’s favourite colours and games, the food the family liked to eat and wanted in their fridge on arrival, and what kitchen appliances they hoped for in their kitchen – all to help us feel closer to ‘our’ family and help prepare for their arrival.
We were fortunate to find a house to rent and had several weeks to decorate it with furniture donated from ADRA Op Shop Ballina and the Anglican Op Shop in Goonellabah before the family arrived.
Oh my, meeting our family at the airport was a joy! I still remember seeing them come through the immigration gates. So many smiles and tears and hugs and laughter – and yes maybe a feeling of disbelief too. Here they finally were!
The next 12 months just flew by and our family thrived in their new home environment. We transitioned from driving rosters to diving competitions. I felt like a happy aunt each time one of the children received a school prize, or Heba and Foaad conversed without Google translate (pretty much never now).
Sometimes it was challenging, sometimes it was busy, sometimes it was intense, but all times it was and is rewarding. I’m so glad I volunteered to support a refugee family. I loved it so much that I’m doing it again! Did I mention the parties? So many celebratory parties.
You too could experience this opportunity
I’m so passionate about the CRISP – it’s a tangible way we can all directly impact a refugee family’s life. It only takes a small group of committed volunteers to join together to mentor a family.
The family that our group have just finished mentoring was the third to settle locally, now there are seven families. So much local knowledge and wisdom you can draw upon.
If you are considering getting involved or forming a local support group, or want to find out more about my experience or the support and training mechanisms in place, I’d love to share my insights with you. Please do get in touch.
Or check out the CRISP program here.
You too could have a similar life-changing experience – its life changing both for you and the refugee family you support.
I’m so excited to share this story of discovery and refugee support with you.
So many firsts!!!
