Refugees share stories of hope and opportunity

An inspiring collection of short stories conveying the experiences of a group of young Australian asylum seeks has been launched in Aireys Inlet.

More than 60 people attended the launch of The Shape of Hope which was organised by the Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees group (AIRAR).

The stories shared within The Shape of Hope are forward-looking and full of hope, while demonstrating resilience, hard work and aspiration in an often unjust society.

Surf Coast mayor Libby Stapleton attended the launch, saying it was an absolute privilege to spend the afternoon with the asylum seekers, AIRAR and the Hope Co-op.

“The Hope Co-op empowers and supports young refugees to achieve a tertiary education in Australia,” she said.

“(The book contains) remarkable stories from young Australians who are not afforded the privileges so many of us take for granted.”

One refugee who contributed to the book spoke of how she was just 12 when her father went to hospital in Pakistan but never returned to Kabul having passed away.

She came to Australia by boat from Indonesia with her mother and sister on a three-day journey in which several refugees tragically drowned.

Once in an Australian high school, she and her sister studied day and night hoping for high marks in order to gain university scholarships and the promise of a brighter future.

Now completing a Bachelor of Science degree she hopes to eventually qualify as a doctor.

“In building my life I never gave up hope,” she told those at the launch.

“Since migrating to Australia I have learnt that there is no medicine as strong as hope for keeping us healthy … even in hard times, in sickness and downtimes I’ve learned to fight harder for my dreams.

“Hope has not only kept me alive but taught me to love myself and others.”

Hope Foundation provides life skills, personal support and connections for refugees from Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Guinea.

The foundation also develops partnerships with universities which provide scholarships, as well as raising money to supply modest living grants to students of $6000 per year.

AIRAR is one of the groups who contribute to this through the generosity of the Surf Coast community.

The book launch was also attended by shire councillor Mike Bodsworth, AIRAR patron Hannie Rayson and Radio National presenter Michael Cathcart.