(2/4) One day, they took us out of the detention centre for a drive around the city for an hour. I remember stopping at a traffic light and seeing some children playing in a schoolyard, and thinking, I wish I could be like these kids, with freedom, just playing on the grass, eating lunch, having fun.
It wasn’t always easy to keep going with my learning, because I had a lot of dark days, and on those days it was more difficult to learn. I had a lot of anxiety. They told us it would be a long process but they never gave us a timeframe, they just told us we had to be patient. So we didn’t know if we would be in the detention centre for months or years. And also I was worried about back home – about my three younger brothers.
My father was killed by the Taliban when I was 10 – he was a rich man, he had a grocery shop, but he was just an ordinary person, not a soldier or involved in politics. The reason they killed him was because he was a successful Hazara businessman. My mum died two years after my father’s death. They loved each other a lot, and I think the pressure of his death caused her cancer.
When I left, my uncle told me, Bashir, I will look after your brothers like my own children, I promise. You need to consider your future, you need to find a place to call home, so no-one can say this is a Hazara boy, he is not allowed to study, and he is not allowed to work.
Whenever I called him, he told me not to worry, but of course my brothers were still in Afghanistan and it wasn’t safe for them, so I still worried.
Bashir
Afghanistan
Arrived 2010
#refugees #migrants #migration #Australia #Australianstories
The suspense is killing me!! I need this to end well!
You are a courageous young man Bashir- I remember you from the regional ambassadors program. I hope you are well and that in the future, your brothers will be able to join you in Australia
Thank you for sharing your story with us here Bashir. What a brave young man you are.
Uncle is a wise man. ????
Welcome to Australia, Bashir. I am so happy you have made it here, and I’m sorry for all that you have been through.
Welcome to Australia.
This made me cry.
So much pressure for a young soul to bear.
Another amazing Hazara refugee person. Best wishes! Peter Pam Skelton you’ll like this page.
God bless your family ???? Praying that you’ll be reunited with them again soon.
History repeats itself…
You are what will help this diverse country to become even greater! Keep up your education and your open heart and mind. You are so so welcome here!
Bashir a credit to your drive courage and strength … I remember you from your words of wisdom to the foster care after care staff
A bit of luck not to have arrived after August 2012.
When is Humanity becoming peaceful, so that children are not forced to risk their lives into the seas???
❤️❤️
Thank you for sharing your story. I’m glad you are finally settled here and I hope your brothers are able to join you as well.
Rahmat Alizada