Being resettled has given our family hope for the future, but discrimination is still a reality.
Jenna* and her young family arrived in Sydney at the end of 2014, after countless costly interviews and meetings with lawyers and councils. Jenna, a mother to two children under five, was instantly thankful for immediate safety they felt upon acceptance as a refugee in Australia.
"It was a huge weight that was hanging heavy over me for a long, long time. And finally, it was gone! It was the best day in my life, my boys can get an education without fear of attack, and my husband and I can sleep at night. We are safe, we are happy, we love Australia already".
Jenna quickly enrolled in more English language classes, but struggled to find a well-paying job. She says cash-in-hand jobs were abundant in her community, but they were low-wage, and had no health or leave benefits. Jenna experienced discrimination first hand at one job interview, which rejected her application after she introduced herself over the phone.
"It was such a devastating moment. I am in this new country, this happy country, and one man has made me feel so defeated. He said I do not have an understanding of Australian culture, and this would impact my ability to work for him. I do not think this was fair at all, he did not even ask me for my qualifications"
It wasn't until Jenna and her young family sought help with Welcome Communities, that she was able to get her qualifications recognised here, and her voice heard. Unfortunately, this is a fight that refugees and their families are still fighting each and every day, but one step at a time goes a long way. Jenna's teaching qualifications are finally recognised with Australian standards, and she has been able to get a job teaching at a local school, a school that her children are also attending.
Jenna and her family have so much to offer their local community, and they are now fighting advocates to help refugees like herself get their own voice and fight for the rights they deserve here in Australia.
*names have been changed for privacy and confidentiality purposes.
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