When I was 7 years old, we had to leave Bhutan because the government kicked out all the people of Nepalese origin. But in Nepal we were not considered citizens either so we had to live in a refugee camp. I lived there for 20 years. It was a very hard life. Nothing was good. We lived in a hut with no protection from the rain and they gave us only 5 kg of rice, vegetables and dahl fortnightly. It wasn’t enough but it was hard to get more food, so we were always hungry.
When I was 12, I was forced to get married. At that moment, I was very sad. It is not normal in the refugee camp for girls to get married so young, but my mother passed away when I was a baby, and so my father had to take care of three girls and a boy. He thought my ex-husband was a good man and would take care of me. But it turned out to be a bit different. After I had my two daughters, he left me and married someone else.
Because I got married so young, I didn’t go to school in the refugee camp, so I couldn’t speak any English when I arrived in Australia. Although someone met us at the airport, I couldn’t understand a word they were saying, and everything felt very strange and scary. But when they took us to Albury, I spoke with a Nepalese interpreter and met some other Bhutanese families, and after that I started to feel more normal.
We are all happy now. At first my girls were crying about going to school because they couldn’t speak English, but now they love it! And I went to the Adult Migrant English Program, which I really liked because as well as learning the language, I made friends with people from many different countries. Best of all, we are no longer alone here. I was the first to arrive, but now all my family are here with me in Albury too.
Australia feels like home to me. I would like to thank everyone, the people of Australia and the Australian government for accepting me, and I would like to welcome all refugees who are here from around the world.
Yani
Bhutan
Arrived 2008
Photographer: In 2 Photography – Photography by Kerry Devereaux
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Welcome! Thank you for enriching our culture.
Welcome Yani, what an inspirational story.
Welcome! I hope you have a wonderful life here x
Welcome.
YNWA
Welcome to Australia Yani. All power to you.
Fabulous to have you here❤️
The link doesn’t appear to be working, can you please check? Thanks
Welcome!! ❤️
So happy that your family have been able to join you, ????. ❤️
Welcome Yani and family!
This story was brought to you by the generosity of the NHOA supporters. Join this awesome group and get great benefits now: http://www.patreon.com/newhumansofaustralia
This month, all pledges of $10 and over receive a free copy of the fabulous NHOA coffee table book.
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Lovely to know you feel welcomed and happy here in Albury.
Welcome to you and your family.
Wow, what a brave woman you are. I’m so glad that you & your family now have the safety & freedom you deserve ❤
Welcome Yani. ????
What a resilient, wonderful woman you are !
Welcome. I’m glad you and your family are here.
Welcome Yani! I’m glad your family are together! ????
Amazing, how courageous of you. I’m so glad you are here now and get to live your life to the fullest. ????
Welcome 🙂
Beautiful, Yani. I am so proud of you. You are a strong, courageous young woman and I am so glad you are happy here. ????????????
Julie back in the day when AMEP was still around…
Good people are welcome!!!!
Well done, Yani! What an inspirational achievement!
The AMEP program at ALBURY TAFE is excellent.
Thanks for all my friends
Well said Yani – always keep strong and know your rights….???? ????
You lived in a refugee camp for 20 YEARS??? Oh my gosh, that’s incomprehensible. I’m glad you and your daughters have a good life here.
Welcome Yani!! All the best
I’m glad that you can be here Yani 🙂 Thank you for sharing your story.
Beautiful story Yani
Yani, I wish you and your family a wonderful life in Australia 🙂
Chloe another story of people being made stateless.
Welcome to Australia Yani. Thank you for enriching us with your culture xx
Ali Coffee – thought you’d want to see this.
A wonderful story, thanks for sharing, makes me more thankful and appreciative of the wonderful country I was born in, I am glad we could help you and your family, blessings ❤️
20 years in a refugee camp is just…well, there are no words for how awful it must be.
So glad you were able to come here and build a life.
Amazing xo ❤️
20 yrs!! So glad you are here. Welcome. X
You are so welcome… what a life you have lived…
Nice story dee I also miss my child wold an miss you dee
Welcome to Albury!