When Dilnigar Alim arrived in Australia in 2009, she brought with her the unique skills that she gained studying and working as a professional Uyghur dancer and performer in far East-Turkestan.
Read more: Uyghur dancer preserves culture and starts up business in Australia
Volunteering attracts people form diverse backgrounds with a broad range of experiences. This adds to the richness and impact that SSI’s volunteers have across a wide range of roles and programs that support vulnerable people.
Read more: Volunteering brings benefits to the community and to volunteers themselves
Australia’s annual celebration of people who have found a safe haven on our shores — Refugee Week — is occurring at a time of heightened individualism.
Read more: From the CEO: Individualism, elections and Refugee Week
Welcome2Sydney provided an opportunity for nine new arrivals and four volunteer Sydney ambassadors to join an SSI group attending a Sydney Writers' Festival event at Carriageworks last month.
On April 30, eleven men and women from the Ezidi community were involved in a traditional food night at the Café Patisserie on Taylor Street in Armidale.
The evening was the result of a beautiful relationship, which flourished as a local Ezidi family regularly dropped off bread to their local café, just as they would do for their neighbours back in their home country.
Read more: Armidale enjoys Ezidi food night in partnership with local Café
Sydney’s refugee communities are brimming with solutions for the challenges they face. With a helping hand from SSI, community leaders are being resourced to create projects that close gaps and capitalise on their communities’ strengths.
Read more: Event highlights innovation in western Sydney refugee communities
Iraqi-born and award-winning filmmaker Ali Al Azeez is facilitating a series of filmmaking workshops for the general public in the lead-up to the SSI New Beginnings Winter Festival.
Read more: Award-winning refugee filmmaker unlocks creativity and talents ahead of Refugee Week
Reflecting on times of great pain, strength and resilience, Settlement Services International (SSI) staff and local community members gathered at SSI’s Community Hub at Colyton Public School, to walk down the long path of forgiveness in recognition of Sorry Day.
Read more: SSI staff and Colyton community work towards healing this past Sorry Day
Kamiran and Zozan came to Australia from Syria with their family two years ago. Their life in Syria revolved around owning a restaurant specialising in delicious, local cuisine, frequented by friends, family and the community on a regular basis. Here in Australia, they’re re-discovering their passion for food, and are looking to bring a taste of Syria for the Coffs Harbour community to enjoy.
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