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Some refugee children have it even tougher during the COVID-19 lockdown without access to suitable technology.

Rana Kareem Loqa arrived in Australia as a refugee with her three children and husband in November 2019 after spending one year in limbo in Lebanon.

Ms Kareem Loqa and her family are from a Chaldean background and had fled Iraq due to the war. Her husband had held a respectable job in a media firm before their lives were turned upside down.

SSI’s Humanitarian Settlement Program has provided Ms Kareem Loqa and her family with wrap-around refugee support services, including securing accommodation and supporting them to navigate their everyday lives.

Over the past six months since their arrival in Sydney, the family has mainly been focused on settling into their new lives. Ms Kareem Loqa spends her days tending to her children and domestic household needs.

Since NSW has enforced the COVID-19 lockdown measures, Ms Kareem Loqa’s children, aged 11, 14 and 18, have had to be home-schooled like many other children in the state.

When asked how she felt about the prospect of home-schooling her children, she said that it presented a new set of challenges as they did not have access to the appropriate technology at home.

“My children are studying online, but they are using a phone,” Ms Kareem Loqa said.

“They do not have a computer or iPad, and we don’t have any technological devices. It’s hard for them.”

Ms Kareem Loqa said the household of five was sharing two basic mobile devices that they had brought with them from Iraq to educate three children and support two adults through their English course.

“My husband and I are also studying English online, and we are required to study every day,” she said.

“It’s really hard for my children as they cannot access some programs that the teacher has asked them to do. Sometimes they cannot complete their homework.”

Ms Kareem Loqa said that learning English wasn’t proving to be such a big challenge because they could support each other.

“It’s no problem — we can help each other learn English in the home.”

When asked whether they had found the lockdown particularly isolating, Ms Kareem Loqa said that they understood why the measures were in place and that life felt much the same because they were keeping themselves preoccupied at home.

“No, we feel normal, because the situation is the same for everyone,” Ms Kareem Loqa said.

“Life is normal, and we are sitting at home. We understand the situation.”

Ms Kareem Loqa said that they understood the lockdown measures were not permanent and that they were grateful to SSI and the Australian government for the supports that they had received since their arrival.

“SSI supports us a lot, whenever we need anything. We are very grateful.”

Event attendees network at an information session co-hosted by SSI in Melbourne.

Settlement Services International (SSI)’s Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Service (IAAAS) and the Australian Multicultural Alliance (AMA) organised the session for the significant Latin American population in Melbourne unable to return home due to fear of persecution.

In late 2019, SSI met with the AMA to discuss the escalating political situation in Latin America with a particular focus on Chile.

They identified a common knowledge gap in the Latin American community about protection visas and how to access support.

They wanted to provide individuals on temporary visas with information about the Australian migration system and available migration pathways.

AMA CEO and Chilean community leader Eliana Aldunate is passionate about serving and keeping her community well informed with the latest migration advice in Australia. She said that the event was an opportunity to do just that.

“I love to serve my community and bring them together whenever there is an opportunity to do so,” she said.

“With the current situation in Chile, some people are not able to return home. The event was a great way of educating them on possible migration pathways in Australia.”

SSI IAAAS Program Manager Melinda Mann said that having Mary Hanna, the Principal Lawyer of Mary Hanna Lawyers, speak about Australia’s migration system and protection visas was a real bonus for attendees.

“Mary’s insights into Australia’s migration system and the humanitarian settlement program were valuable, and attendees got the opportunity to talk to her one-on-one afterwards,” Ms Mann said.

One attendee, a young woman from Colombia, said that she found the information session useful in helping her navigate the Australian migration system.

“I am so glad I came. I need to apply for protection but did not know what to do or how to get help, and I thought I would have to go back to Colombia, which is very dangerous for me.”

Since the event, SSI’s IAAAS program has seen a steady flow of inquiries from members of the Latin American community, who have been referred to relevant migration agents and other related services at no cost.

If you or anyone that you know is not able to return to their home country due to a well-founded fear of persecution, please ask them to contact the SSI IAAAS program directly 1800 932 082 or info@ssiiaaas.org.au.

They will have a discussion with any persons seeking asylum to determine if they are likely to be eligible for free professional migration services. Please contact us here to find out more.

Through their work with SSI’s Ability Links program, Rizwana and Shabana noticed that despite having an abundance of skills, refugee and migrant women were often socially and professionally limited by a lack of connections in Australia.

“I went through the same situation when I came to Australia and it was really hard. This is how I know refugees and migrants don’t want to just sit at home getting benefits, they want to have focuses and find employment,” explained Rizwana.

To combat this challenge, they developed the Skills Development Support Network (SDSN) ― a community based multicultural network that brings together culturally and linguistically (CALD) women from all different walks of life to share their skills and talents. It aims to support women in four different areas: social inclusion, education, employment and mental health and wellbeing.

“Our aim is to provide a platform where group members are able to break their isolation and eventually become a part of the community and play positive role in the diverse multicultural environment of Australia,” said Shabana.

SDSN also identifies educational opportunities for CALD women and finds innovative solutions to any financial challenges they face. So far, the group has assisted over 50 people to gain a certificate or diploma, with many attendees focusing on business, social work and community services certificates.

In July last year 35 participants, alongside Rizwana, graduated with a Diploma of business. One of these individuals was Sana Hussain, a young woman who arrived in Australia from Pakistan in 2009. Sana was eager to re-enter the workforce after raising two young children.

Rizwana, Shabana and SDSN supported Sana to partake in weekend classes as part of a Business Diploma, and organised funding to cover program fees.

While studying her diploma, Sana began work experience at a community service organisation, and she has now gained employment with a major NDIS provider.

Sana explained that finding the SDSN proved to be a turning point in her life. She has embraced all the positive changes that have come with her continued education. She is eager to continue progressing her career.
“Rizwana has been very helpful. Owing to her selfless help, I started gaining my lost confidence back and this helped me to take a new beginning as far as my professional career is concerned.”

You can learn more about SSI’s Ability Links here
Visit the Skills Development Support Network Facebook page here

 

Stigma and persecution surrounding gender identity or sexual orientation can sometimes lead to a person being forced to flee their home country. LGBTIQ people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds can often feel socially isolated, disconnected and marginalised from their family, religious group and the broader community.

‘Carpet Stories’ aims to empower the narrative of Middle Eastern Australians and refugees seeking liberation by bringing LGBTIQ stories from multicultural Australia into the spotlight. Held to a packed-out audience at the intimate PYT Fairfield in early March, the two-man performance piece featured Najee Tannous and Mustafa Al-Mahdi, directed by Martin del Amo.

“Carpet Stories is a courageous step into opening up the discussion around the Queer Refugee community,” said show creator and performer Najee Tannous. “It lays bare the accounts of firsthand experiences; unveiling the complex layers of Arabian culture, religious practice and family history”.

Mr. Tannous was quick to acknowledge the collaboration with SSI Arts & Culture and the Gender and Sexual Diversity Working Group, saying it was an important connection to make in furthering the development of Carpet Stories.

“SSI’s support of the second development of Carpet Stories has become an integral part of the show’s fabric, and for this, we continue to create and extend the vulnerable exploration of the ‘Queer Arab’ narrative,” said Mr. Tannous

PYT Fairfield Executive Director Katy Green Loughrey echoed Najee’s sentiment, saying that they were thrilled to be able to partner with SSI on this.

“This partnership represents an unmatched opportunity to support LGBTIQ communities through creative practice while raising awareness among our combined networks,” said Katy. “As both organisations share a humanitarian focus in their work and are deeply connected with their local, CALD communities, this partnership is a natural fit.”

The captivating 30-minute performance was followed by a Q+A session with the artists, who talked about the creation process and the opportunities ahead, weaving into the lived experiences of refugees in Australia. The session gave members of SSI’s Gender and Sexual Diversity Working Group, and other members of the audience, a chance to contribute to the discussion.

“The SSI GSD Working group is actively addressing the invisibility of LGBTIQ clients and participants, particularly within the settlement sector,” said SSI Gender and Sexual Diversity Champion, Kathi McCulloch. “It is important to show multicultural Australia that SSI supports everyone and that we amplify the voice of LGBTIQ multicultural communities through creative, interesting and engaging initiatives, such as this partnership with PYT Fairfield.”

The SSI Arts & Culture team looks forward to continuing developing this partnership and advocating for everyone’s voice to be heard on our stages and throughout Australia’s community life.

Follow SSI Arts & Culture on Facebook for all updates on how SSI is supporting diverse and creative communities.

Effective from today, Monday 30 March, 2020, we’re moving to an entirely remote work model for all staff. This means that all staff will be working from home and our offices will be closed.

This situation is unprecedented. Like other organisations, SSI is navigating through uncertain times, and I don’t know when we’ll resume operations as usual.

Despite working from home, we will continue to deliver essential services to our clients and communities. Our priority is to ensure participants continue to receive adequate support and to limit disruptions.

I have faith in our capacity to overcome the challenges ahead because of how our staff members have responded to this crisis and the measures we have introduced so far to protect staff and client wellbeing.

At a time of such uncertainty, I am reassured by the care, empathy and respect I see displayed in our offices each day – the perfect balance of compassion and common sense.

We know that SSI is not alone in trying to find the best path forward at a time of unprecedented disruption. As a client-centred organisation, we are currently developing a suite of resources for our clients and the community to navigate the challenging time ahead. These are available here.

This pandemic is like nothing I have experienced in my lifetime. I’m not immune to the sense of fear and anxiety in the wider community.

Something that has helped me is asking myself, what do I have some control over? It helps me to feel that I can adapt to my current situation when I can identity even little things I can control. Things like calling a friend to see how they’re coping or offering to do some shopping for an elderly neighbour.

Looking at ways we can take control in our own environment can help to stop that emotional contagion from taking hold. We can cope with threats and feelings of fear and anxiety without letting them takeover.

I believe there will be further challenges ahead as we see out this pandemic. Despite physically distancing, we must remember to say socially and emotionally connected. That’s how we’re going to come out the other side of this – by sticking together and looking out for one another.

Stay safe.

Violet Roumeliotis

SSI CEO

SSI and Access locations to close temporarily due to the escalating COVID-19 pandemic. 

We will continue to deliver essential services to our clients and communities with staff working remotely.
Our priority is to limit disruption to those services and to ensure that clients continue to receive adequate support and service delivery.

This situation is unprecedented and we are unable to say when operations will resume as normal.

Our new operating arrangement will be reviewed regularly in line with advice from the government and health experts.

We will continue to actively engage with staff, clients and community to listen to their concerns and questions.
We are developing a suite of resources on the SSI website to help our clients and the community navigate the challenging time ahead. And we will communicate regularly as we adapt to the changing situation.

Even though we’re physically distancing, in such times of crisis it is critical that we take care of ourselves, physically and mentally, and stay connected.

Anyone with concerns or questions should contact SSI here.

Further information and resources

The ‘Building Workplace Capability for Indigenous Australia Network’ conference gathered organisations, business leaders and indigenous elders to investigate the role corporate Australia can play as allies to the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

The Uluru Statement calls for a First Nations voice to Parliament and a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making and truth-telling. These reforms are: voice, treaty and truth.

Nicole Laupepa, a proud Goomeri woman and SSI Project Officer and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Specialist, represented SSI at the conference and said she was proud to present our vision statement to attendees.

“First Nation people seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country. When we have power over our destiny our children will flourish. They will walk in two worlds and their culture will be a gift to their country.”

For the past two years, SSI has embarked on a journey of reconciliation that was built on community consultation and the vision of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

After a long journey of learning and discovery, we are at the final stages in the development our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and organisational revival vision.

SSI’s revival vision ensures we will listen, learn and share the wisdom of 60,000 years of an ancient culture.

SSI will also work towards realising makarrata —birth a new season of kinship, where all people and cultures acknowledge our past, see each other and walk together in the spirit of strength and unity.

Finally, we will strive to shape a pathway where everyone has an opportunity to prosper, contributing to an Australia that redefines difference and steps out in courage to build a unified, equal and respectful Nation.

Read more on the Uluru Statement from the Heart here 

Learn more about SSI’s reconciliation journey here 

We’re writing to let you know that, as a community-led organisation, SSI will continue to work hard to find ways to support community members and ensure that, despite physical distancing, social connection remains strong.

Our thoughts are with our clients, communities and staff as we negotiate these rapidly changing and challenging times.

As we face empty supermarket shelves, fighting over rations, and general uncertainty, we must hold on to our compassion, care and sense of community.

As government, business and community efforts ramp up to reduce the impact of COVID-19, SSI’s number one priority is to protect the health and wellbeing of our clients, communities and staff.

Following Australian Department of Heath recommendations, SSI has implemented steps for the safety of staff and visitors, while continuing to support our clients.

While none of us knows how this will evolve over the next few weeks, we want you to know that SSI is:

We will continue to monitor advice and reports from the Australian government and state authorities, and communicate any changes to our services with our staff, clients and stakeholders.

This is a challenging and uncertain time for us all. Everyone has a role to play in minimising the impact and spread of COVID-19. By acting together in a measured and caring way we all can contribute to the safety of ourselves, each other and our clients.

Now, more than ever, we must show care and compassion, and avoid the urge to put our needs above those of others.

In such times of crisis we must take care of ourselves both physically and mentally, be kind to one another and stay connected.

Anyone with concerns or questions should contact SSI here. 

Further information and resources

Participants in the Empowering Women Through Engagement Table Talks

The table talks were held at the Novotel, Parramatta, on February 28, in the lead up to IWD on March 8.

The women from CALD backgrounds, including community leaders and leaders from the corporate world, were joined by Federal Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, and Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash.

Along with the ministers, Hawanatu Bangura, an entrepreneur and former refugee, spoke to the gathering.

Ms Bangura arrived in Australia in 2002 as a refugee from Sierra Leone. With the support of SSI’s Ignite Small Business Start-ups, she founded Mahawa Creative, a storytelling agency that helps organisations and individuals to craft meaningful narratives.

Ms Bangura said the table talks were a great opportunity to talk about her journey with likeminded women.

“We have all had similar challenges when it comes to finding employment. Talking to these women really encouraged me and validated my experiences,” she said.

The positive energy of Ministers Cash and Payne was also a highlight for Ms Bangura.

“Listening to Minister Cash’s and Minister Payne’s speeches, and seeing their friendship, was an inspiring reminder that it is possible for women to make it in politics. There is still so much to do and young women need positive role models in this space.”

After the event, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis explained that Empowering Women through Employment recognised that women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds were at a unique intersection of gender and culture that could limit employment opportunities and career progression.

“In order to drive change on a larger scale, we need to ensure the voices of women from CALD backgrounds are front and centre. Let’s be #EachforEqual,” she said, referring to an IWD theme.

Learn more about SSI’s Employment program here

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of girls and women.

Women from migrant and refugee backgrounds are at the intersection of gender and culture, and experience many additional challenges.

For example, the unemployment rate for female migrants is higher than both migrant men and Australian-born women, while one in four women from diverse backgrounds have been forced to scale back at work due to cultural barriers.

Few of us are in a position to influence employment barriers. But we can progress gender equality by something as simple as offering formal or informal mentoring. This 1:1 support helps women access the local networks that is often so critical in gaining employment or progressing a career.

Domestic and family violence is another issue that affects women from all walks of life but can present additional challenges for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. They are often less likely to seek assistance due to barriers like lack of knowledge about their rights, fear of deportation and removal of children, or lack of English language skills.

There is a pressing need for consistent funding of domestic violence services that are tailored for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Again, very few of us are in a position to influence an issue of this scale, but we can take small steps. You can add your voice to the Each for Equal social media hashtag or write to your local member.

At the end of the day, gender equity is not just a women’s issue. It is an issue for everyone. When women do well, their families, businesses and whole communities prosper. On International Women’s Day, I hope you’ll join me in re-committing ourselves to progressing gender equality through small actions within our spheres of influence.

Violet Roumeliotis

SSI CEO