My father died 7 years ago. Unfortunately, in Afghanistan, when a woman loses her husband, she has no rights. And as they are not allowed to be educated, they cannot take care of their children by themselves. Instead the brother of the husband will automatically take over in taking care of her and her family.
Our uncle tried to do this to us. He beat my mum, me, and my three sisters, and said he was going to marry us off to some older men for the dowry money. At that time, I was 16.
My mum didn’t accept that. One day, she just told my sisters and I that we were packing up and going to Pakistan. It was a very terrible time. We had to leave everything behind. It was really scary – our mother with four daughters. But she is so strong. And she had big dreams for us.
We lived in Pakistan for two years. It was a very hard time in our lives. But finally we were accepted to come to Australia as refugees. I felt very good when we arrived. We were placed in Coffs Harbour, and we found the Australian people very friendly and supportive, and the beaches and the landscape beautiful.
I was already 18 by then, but I wanted to go to high school, so I went into year 10. At the same time, I worked as a volunteer in a refugee office, and at a primary school as an interpreter and a support worker with refugee children there. It was very challenging to do all of that at the same time as studying, but I loved it. I wanted to be busy, and help the people around me.
After high school, our whole family moved to Sydney so I could do my Bachelor of Business here. When I finish, my dream is to start a social enterprise or other business which can help widows in Afghanistan. In some ways, I feel like these women are my family. I can feel their pain, nervousness, fear – the feeling that they have no value in this world. But I want to change all that.
My mum gives me so much support and encouragement. Even when we are facing a lot of problems, she encourages us to be active in the community. She always says, ‘You can do this. You will achieve this.’ She is amazing.
I want to tell the Australian people that we, as refugees, are thankful for the kindness and the support that has been given to us. But we are not just lying down and eating. We are here to support others, and to make a difference.
Alina
Afghanistan
Arrived 2013
Photographer: Anne Casey www.facebook.com/silverpepperphotography
Why not get your friends and family something meaningful for Christmas this year? The beautifully photographed, heartwarming second New Humans of Australia coffee table book is now available: www.newhumansofaustralia.org/shop
#refugees #Afghanistan #CoffsHarbour #Sydney #Australia #storiesnotstereotypes
Alina, you are an inspiration ???? and so is your mother. You are both making the best of a situation, staying strong and supporting others. Congratulations, you deserve success
Amazing story; thanks for sharing, and thanks for your passion and insight. All the very best with your aspirations.
Amazing. Not “you can do this.” It should read, “you are doing this.” Welcome and thank you.
And we thank you for the wonderful contribution you make to this wonderful diverse country. Our country is better because of all the refugee families. And I’m terribly ashamed of how our politicians treat people, families and children. We need change!!
Alina, I am from Coffs Harbour too!! I am so happy that you were greeted with kindness and support! Our small town can be difficult for those who are different. What an amazing story your family has… your mother is so brave, and you are so resilient. Congratulations on furthering your education and thank you, so much, for continuing to work to support others who have shared your experience in some way. You are amazing!
God I love these stories, so uplifting first thing on a sunday
Thank you for sharing your amazing story. You are following after your mother who sounds like an incredibly strong proud woman ????
How lucky are we that your family came to Australia. What an amazing Mother you have. And you sound like you take after her and are amazing too. Good luck with all you do ❤️
Well done Alina and ESP well done to your mum for taking the steps to get you all to a safer better life.What a brave woman she is and so glad you have all found home here.
I’m sorry that you left Coffs Harbour. It’s close to where I live and I’d love to have had the opportunity to meet you and your family. I’m glad that you were treated with kindness when you arrived. Thank you for sharing your story and good luck with your study and with the rest of your life here.
Your Mum sounds like a fantastic fierce woman and I am so glad she was so strong for you all. Welcome to Australia Alina, you are doing great things already!
Thank you Alina for all yoh have done in our country thus far. You’d mother is a remarkable woman, and no doubt is bringing up strong, caring daughters.
You are most welcome here.
Why not get your friends and family something meaningful for Christmas this year? The beautifully photographed, heartwarming second New Humans of Australia coffee table book is now available: https://www.newhumansofaustralia.org/shop
Alina I am so proud of you and your mother. Thank god you are inAustralia. Make things better for all humans, specially helpless women. keep going .
Be proud of you, and your family. Your mum has given you and your sisters an amazing gift by showing you her strength and courage.
Thank you for sharing your story about your fearless mum. What an amazing woman. It reminded me of my beautiful grandma’s stories of fleeing Europe after WWII with her three children. Best wishes to you and your family. Xx
Best wishes to you and your family Alina ☺️ You are very welcome here.
You go girl, keep going forward and ignore the negativity.
What an incredible person your mother is, such strength and courage. She must be very proud of you since you are the very best any person could be. May you enjoy great health and continue to realise your dream.
You’re amazing Alina, a wonderful contribution to your new country already! best wishes to your Mother and sisters and very glad you got a warm welcome.
You take after you Mum strong and amazing! X
Welcome and glad you are here. What an inspiring story.
What a blessing for us that you are here and making not only your dreams come true and honouring your brave mother, but also that you can help our community. Best wishes ❤️
Loved reading the first edition. Inspiring and made a great gift for my 2 sons.
You sound like an amazing human being, your mum too. How richer are we as a country for you being here. Thank you for being a wonderful example of kindness and resilience in this country, we need you! Welcome ????
Thank you for your contribution to our community – best of luck for your goals – I am also sure you can achieve them ????
You are strong and compassionate and have achieved so much in so little time! But don’t forget to take care of you as well. Thank you for sharing and inspiring!
What a strong mother you have and what an example you are following. Welcome.
Thank you Alina for giving back to the place you came from and also giving to the place you now call home. Thank you for sharing your story.
Your Mum sounds like a very strong woman, welcome to Australia and good luck with your studies
Best wishes, stay strong.
Good on you Alina… You and your mum are amazing! Good luck with your future endeavours
What you have experienced in life Alina has made you a very strong woman.Thank -you for enriching us here in Australia. Hearing your story makes me so thankful fro what I have.
I agree with the letters before me! We know you are good people and I’m ashamed at our gvts behaving so badly! Thank you Alina for all you are doing and I hope we can all welcome some new asylum seekers and help them make Australia their home.
Thanks for sharing your story Alina and for your fabulous contribution to the community ! ????????
Bravo to you and your courageous mother. I certainly hope that you all thrive in Australia.
What a blessing for you to have a strong and courageous mother Alina. I hope you all have a good life in Australia and never have to live in fear again.
Alina I hope you and your family achieve all your dreams for the future.
Lee at the bottom of the post there’s a link to a book, I’ll have one for Christmas please x
Thank you for caring for others and making Australia a fabulous place to grow up in.
Your mother is such a brave strong woman and you girls are so lucky to have a fine example to follow. I hope your life in Australia is happy.
You arrived in Coffs Harbour the year I left it. It’s a beautiful part of Australia and a fantastic place to begin your life in a new country. I wish you every success in your university studies. Education is everything – something your mum obviously recognised and ensured she could give you!
Beautifully said Alina. You have a really brave mum and she’s succeeded in making a much better life for her family
Gary, this is what you’re so afraid of…
Thank you for sharing your story. We welcome you.