I grew up in Lebanon, but we weren’t citizens there because my family were Palestinian refugees. As a result, we didn’t have many rights, and when the war between Israel and Lebanon started in 2006, my father decided we should migrate to Australia.
I was 11 years old when we first arrived. At first, I was excited but after a while I realized that it wasn’t going to be that easy. Back in Lebanon, I was always the top of the class and here, my grades dropped because of my English, which really affected my self esteem. Also, my complexion was a bit darker when I came here and I had a lot of dark hair, and that made me self conscious. I remember once I wore shorts during PE class, and the other kids started saying mean things to me because of the hair on my legs. After that, I never wore shorts again.
During high school, my family experienced some problems here, as Muslims, especially when there were terrorist attacks overseas. People said racist things to my Mum when she went shopping because she wears a headscarf. One time, a lady pulled her daughter back as we walked past and told her to ‘stay away from Muslims’. Another time a man sent one of my brothers a message on Facebook telling him that he shouldn’t come out of the barber shop he owns because he would shoot him. That man kept harassing us for weeks.
So there were a few things going on that made it difficult for me to study.
In year 10, I told my teacher I wanted to become a lawyer, and she said, “Good luck”, but it wasn’t in a nice way. She didn’t believe I could do it and that was kind of a push factor for me, like a challenge. Then in year 11, we had a new home group teacher and she was really good – she would sit down with me during recess and tell me how to go after my goals and dreams.
So in year 12, I worked hard. It was super stressful, and there were a lot of tears, but I finally did it. After the bonus points, I got 99.8, and I’m now in my first year of a double degree in Law and Psychology at Flinders University.
One day, I’d like to work for UNICEF. I want to help refugees that are going through the same thing that I went through when I was younger, to be their spark of hope and assure them that everything is going to be okay.
Jana
Arrived 2009
Lebanon / Palestine
Photograph: Travis Kittel
#refugees #migrants #Palestine #Lebanon #Australia #Palestinian #Muslim #Australians #inspiration #storiesnotstereotypes
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Very inspiring Jana! All the best with everything that comes your way. Teachers have such a big role in a child’s life, not to be underestimated. I wish they were all like the latter.
You go girl! And I mean that in the nicest, best way. There are nasty people everywhere, their words don’t matter, it’s how you react and respond. Achieve your dreams ????
Good for you, Jana! You have worked hard and been through some tough stuff, but you will do great things. The world needs strong, good people to make it a better place. Good luck!!
Well done you, you’ve certainly shown the disbelievers a thing or two!! Good luck with you University studies and Australia is lucky to have you ????
Never let anyone put you in a box especially boxes built on their ignorance or fear. Australia needs people who are outside the box! It’s how we understand and grow. Good luck with your dreams I hope they come true for you – actually I’m sure they will.
Jana, you and your family have been through too much and sadly most of it in Australia. Please hold onto your dreams, and hold onto your heritage. We are lucky to have such resilient people in Australia. Welcome, good luck and god bless you and your brave family.
Wishing you further success in your studies and as you grow older I wish you the strength to keep your head up regardless and do well in life. Sadly your experience of childhood bullying is too common. These kids know what they’re doing is wrong, but look at the example adults are setting. There is a bigoted minority who get fed this fear of other cultures/religions by media beat ups. Those same bigots have even managed to get representation in parlaiment by one of the most ignorant people ever to be there. Keep studying. With the future generation being so multicultural one can only hope this ridiculous bigotry will end. Then again, by that stage they’ll have decided someone or something else is the enemy.
Congratulations. We are so lucky to have someone like you in Australia. Always chase your dreams – we all deserve the right to do that! Yes, nasty people reside everywhere so stick with those who love and support you! ❤️????
Wow, what an amazing life you’ve lived and what an amazing person you are! Best wishes for the happiest of futures – you deserve it! You’re the kind of person that will make this world a better place – we need more like you! x
Fantastic! I hope the so-called ‘teacher’ reads this and learns how to ‘human’ before teaching any more children. I’m so glad you turned such a negative experience into a strong and positive attitude
I’m so glad you took that teacher’s bad attitude towards you as a challenge. I’m sorry to hear of the ugliness you experienced but I’m very glad you are here in Australia – wishing you all the very best for you studies
Very best wishes to you, Jana, and all your family. You have shown amazing strength and courage in your life already. How sad that any teacher would try to crush the dreams of their student – any teacher who does that is in the wrong job.
So sorry you had all that sadness when you arrived in Australia. You should be proud of what you have achieved. ????????????????
You’re an absolute legend. The sky is the limit mate. Don’t let anyone make you feel inferior, smash your goals and bask in your pride while others drown in their hate.
I’m sorry people who call themselves Australian have treated you so badly. That’s not the Australia my grandfather fought for and not the Australia I want to call my country. Hats off to you for letting the critics and bullies drive you harder towards your dream rather than give up. You are an inspiration to your own home country and to ours!!
Welcome to Australia! There are many nice people here, compared to the ones who don’t understand diversity. In Australia girls have opportunities to become who they choose to be. Keep persuing your dreams! Never let someone else to take your dream away.
My queen ???? Jana El-Omr Fandi iam so proud of you. keep in the same way you start with and I hope all your dreams come true love ❤️ you mama
Well done Jana on your determination and your success! Go girl and spread your wings, you can be anything you want. I wish you all the luck in the world and I am happy to be sharing journey in this beautiful country with you. ❤
Congratulations to you on following your dream and making it happen despite the negative people. I’m sorry your family were treated like they were by nasty people in our community. Unfortunately they are everywhere in the world, and karma will sort them out. There are plenty of us who will welcome you, and I for one am glad you continued on and made a place for yourself. All the best for the future for you and your family. ????
Kids can be nasty at school, bitchy and bullies, don’t take it personally. That type of person will always pick on someone they think is less than them…rise above it like you have. We have had Lebanese living in Adelaide for many many years, my Dad’s very best friend since childhood was Lebanese, they even signed up in WW2 together. People are people, as long as you treat people right, makes no difference what colour, faith or what country you come from.
And I was blessed to be by your side when you were going through this ????❤️love you Jana you proved them wrong and showed all those haters that know matter what challenges you were put through you kept pushing harder and succeeded ❤️ see you tomorrow
Legend!!! Australia is a blessed country to have such a rich mix of cultural backgrounds. We get to experience this in the foods, festival’s, architecture, and many other ways. Yes, there are ignorant bigots in our society, but that’s just something we need to work on changing together. Xx
doesn’t matter where do you come from or your colour or you are hairy or bold it is all inside you and yourself only excellent job you have done in achieving your goal still more to achieve and lot of hard work and self esteem and confidence in yourself you will achieve all your dream and will be so sweet never give up never as we the dark skin people are excellent infighting to get what we want I have three excellent kid who are a doctor and solicitor and a teacher who are dark skin got lot of dark hair but they did exactly what I said to get to the end and achieve the highest always forward
Congratulations Jana…..I’m so pleased you have done so well with your studies. I hope you and your family meet more Australians who are welcoming, encouraging and accepting of diversity. ????❤️
Keep focusing on the positives Jana. I don’t see any negative comments here and I apologise in advance to all those young people who arrive in our amazing country only to be greeted by negativity, most of us are accepting of all. It’s just hard to shift the mindset of the haters ???? Just know it is them who has the problem not you! Jana your strength, courage, compassion and conviction to achieve your dreams in spite of this negativity is an inspiration to others. I wish you all the best working towards your dreams.