Lizzy Kuoth fled South Sudan with her grandmother

Lizzy Kuoth fled South Sudan with her grandmother, arriving in Australia with hope for a better life. Lizzy is a proactive and dedicated youth leader determined to become a political social scientist to ensure Australia’s communities are safe for all. Lizzy is passionate about social justice and has worked as a consultant for the state government and a community organiser for the Australian Multicultural Foundation. She advocates (speaks out) for women, children and families affected by poverty, mental illness, disability and social isolation. Lizzy currently serves as a member of the Multicultural Advisory Committee for Monash Council and the Regional Advisory Council. In the past, she has served as a member for the City of Greater Dandenong and City of Monash Youth Advisory Committee. In 2012, she was awarded the Empowering Monash Women Award for her outstanding participation and contribution to multicultural organisations. Lizzy now works at St Francis Xavier College as a Multicultural Officer. From https: //www. refugeeweek. org. au/refugee-week-ambassadors/

Najeeba Wazefadost was 11 when she arrived in Australia along with four siblings and her pregnant mother. She describes the boat journey as a “death contract”, because it seemed an easier death than at the hands of the Taliban. Najeeba‟s passion was always to work with people, in a place where she could integrate her own personal experiences into her work. As well as an avid student, Najeeba works with newly arrived migrants to help them unlock education opportunities that would otherwise have not been available. I hope to one day become an international lawyer to change the situation for people living in war-torn communities around the world while honouring my new life as an Australian citizen. From https: //www. refugeeweek. org. au/refugee-week-ambassadors/

Dr Munjed Al Muderis – from Iraq • Dr Munjed Al Muderis studied medicine at Baghdad University from 1991 to 1997. As a first year resident A/Prof Al Muderis was forced to flee Iraq as he refused Saddam’s regime brutal orders to surgically remove the ears of soldiers who had escaped from the army. • He ended up on a flimsy wooden boat heading to Australia. His first job in Australia was at Mildura Base Hospital as an Emergency Unit and Orthopaedic Resident. • He started his private practice in 2010 and is currently appointed as a Clinical Lecturer at Macquarie University Hospital and The Australian School of Advanced Medicine. • He is also a world leading surgeon in the field of osseointegration surgery. • In 2014 his memoir (story of his past) Walking Free, was published. From https: //www. refugeeweek. org. au/refugee-week-ambassadors/

Mariam Issa fled the Somali civil war in 1991 with her two children on a packed boat that was one of few to make it across the seas to Kenya. Arriving in Australia in 1998 with her husband, four children and pregnant with her fifth child, she knew nothing of western culture. She did not also know anything about the Melbourne suburb of Brighton where her family was placed by the Australian government. It was not easy. However Mariam was determined to integrate into this new community where it seemed nobody wanted her and her family. In 2012, Mariam launched her autobiography (story about herself) – A Resilient Life. In the same year she co-founded an incorporated not-for-profit organisation - RAW (Resilient Aspiring Women) - to create better social environments for all women. From https: //www. refugeeweek. org. au/refugee-week-ambassadors/

Refugee Stories Amina Video Story Homa Story Evelyn Video Aref – Story only Padam – Story only Story Anita Story Video Darwich Video Story A welcoming community can make a real difference to Australia’s newest arrivals and help them feel like they belong and are safe. From https: //www. refugeeweek. org. au/refugee-week-ambassadors/

Changing Lives: Refugee Stories Nahji Chu Rohulla Hossani Hani • https: //youtu. be/Rs 9 Nq. TEk. CY 0

Changing Lives: Refugee Stories • This is a very valuable video for Refugee Week, showing 3 amazing people whose powerful stories highlight the traumas that led to them becoming refugees and their struggle to find a new life - if only allowed the opportunity. • Recently (June 2018) the Government talked about the importance of "Aspiration". This is what these people and refugees like them have!

Changing Lives: Refugee Stories - REVIEW Rohulla Hossaini • Where did Rohulla come from? • How did her get here? • Where does he live now? • Does he have friends, a job? • What is hope? Nahji Chu • Where did Nahji come from? • How did she get here? • Where does she live now? • What is the business that she has established? • What does she say the problem in Australia is in regard to refugees?

Changing Lives: Refugee Stories - REVIEW Hani Abdile • Where did Hani come from? • How did she get here? • Where does she live now? • What is she doing now? • What is her hope, her dream? What did you learn, what did you gain from these stories?

They will do anything for a leg up. Living in limbo What do these idioms mean? Changing your headspace

Writing Project • Why did you come to Australia? • Were you a refugee, asylum seeker or a migrant? Why? • What have been challenges for you? • What do you think you have gained or achieved from coming to Australia and your experience as a refugee/asylum seeker or migrant? For tutors • Have you been a refugee, asylum seeker or a migrant? Why? • If so, • What have been challenges for you? • What do you think you have gained or achieved from coming to Australia and your experience as a migrant or a refugee/asylum seeker? • What have you gained from getting to know some refugees/asylum seekers or migrants?

Extension Writing Activities • What was your first impression of Adelaide? • How is Adelaide different from your home country? • What were the biggest challenges when you first arrived? • What can Australians do to help new arrivals settle in? • What advice would you give to someone who has just arrived?