The three Afghani families are Hazara people who are recognised internationally as a persecuted minority. Hazaras are especially targeted by the Taliban. The three families transitioned out of Afghanistan to other countries before coming to Bendigo. As all families have school age children there is considerable work in finding suitable schools which can support students who have English as a second language. There is an ongoing need to build working relationships with The Real Estate Industry in Bendigo. Without this the task of finding suitable accommodation would be very difficult.

 

Alison is assisted in her work by the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP). The local team has eight members and there is representation from the Afghani community. Hussein, the proprietor of the Kebab Shop in Hargreaves Street, is an especially important member of the team. He provides critical cultural and language links. Hussein himself faces the huge challenge of getting his family to Bendigo. His wife and two daughters are detained in a refugee camp in Pakistan. The humanitarian exemption process is his only pathway for him to be reconnected with his family. This is rarely applied and very difficult to access.

 

Alison outlined the importance of a grassroots campaign in support of Hussein. There are very real challenges because neither Hussein or his family have passports. Allison invited members wanting to work in support of this campaign to register their details. We can put interested members who were away in touch with Alison. Members were moved by the stories of the three families and inspired by the work which Alison oversees. It's hard to imagine a situation where as a father you have  never met your child!  We thank Alison for being our guest and for her very engaging presentation.