Imagine fleeing for
you life – no possessions, no security and not knowing if all of your family are
alive. You receive a lifeline in
the form of a Humanitarian Visa from the Australian government and you begin in
small ways to start a new life.
This is the experience of hundreds of refugees, who now call
Prior to
2001,Toowoomba received a consistent but relatively small number of refugees to
Toowoomba. Today we have seen that number grow considerably from two families
from
It is important to remember that people do not choose to be a refugee. Situations of conflict, violence and oppression have forced one billion people around the world to seek asylum in other, safer countries. Refugees have little or no choice about their destination. Naturally the vast majority would rather be in their own homeland, making valuable contributions to their own country.
On arrival to Toowoomba, the Integrated Humanitarian Settlement Agencies and existing family and friends support refugees to begin the process of settling into Toowoomba. The Agencies can’t do this job alone and rely on committed and passionate volunteers to assist.
Seeking secure and safe housing, settling the children into education, improving their English and seeking work quickly becomes the priority of the newly arrived people. After embracing this country as home and waiting the mandatory two-year period the vast majority are eager to make their oath, become Australian Citizens and continue to contribute to the benefit of the community.
The Migrants coming
to the city may have come on a skilled migrant working visa or a student visa
and are looking for assistance with job searching, accommodation or navigation
of the services already in place. A Special Grant Program worker can assist
migrants on a Friday at TRAMS with these matters. Migrants attending the
University may be seeking support for their family who tend to become isolated
at home without knowledge of our language, systems and services.
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