Author: socialjusticeucawa

I fled genocide in Burma

with my wife and children

We were separated in Indonesia

There wasn’t enough room in the van taking us to the boat heading for Australia

All the time I think about what happened

When I close my eyes

I can see that van leaving

 

A week after my family arrived in Australia

the Rudd government announced

the July 19 policy

This meant that people who arrived in Australia by boat

would be sent to Manus Island or Nauru

and never resettle in Australia.

 

When I arrived in Australia I was sent by force to Manus Island

My family are now living on bridging visas in Sydney

but I’ve been detained on Manus Island for almost 5 years

 

When I talk to my youngest son on skype

He asks me,

“When are you coming?”

“When are you coming?”

I can’t say anything in response

I do not know if or when we’ll be together again.

I was born in East Africa

When I was five years old I held my mother’s hand

while we ran from bullets being shot in the civil war

 

I grew up in a refugee camp.

This is where I got married

and had two beautiful children

 

My children were only 1 and 3 years old

when I was forced to leave them in the refugee camp.

After I left my children I made my way to Indonesia.

 

It was there, before I got on the boat that I found out I was pregnant

I gave birth to my son while I was in detention.

The security guards were on watch in the hospital

as I welcomed my child into this world.

 

My son was five years old when we were granted protection

This visa protects us for the next five years.

I am grateful for this protection

but I long to be with my children

 

On this visa I am not allowed to apply

for my children to live in Australia

 

I’ve been told that maybe after ten years I can sponsor my family

I cannot be separated from my children for this long

I am thinking I have no choice

I am grateful to be safe

But I think I have to give up my visa for my children

I think I have to leave Australia

And not come back…..

Thank you to all those who came out to walk for justice for refugees in Perth on April 9 2017. Here are some of the awesome people, banners and signs we saw today.

Please consider contacting your federal MP as your next step. Or even volunteer with one of the organisations present today. #BringThemHere #WeCanDoBetter

Why not think about volunteering or donating to ensure vital services are provided to people seeking asylum and refugees in Perth?

	CARAD is a respected voice for the rights of asylum seekers, refugees and detainees and a provider of essential services, ensuring that all people seeking safety in Australia are able to live with dignity:  www.carad.org.au/become-a-volunteer/
	RRAN WA is an activist group hosting regular campaigns and actions to end mandatory detention and offshore processing, as well as organising visits to people in detention in WA – contact info@rran.org to show your interest!
	THE ASYLUM SEEKER HUB is a service provided by the leading agencies in Perth working with people seeking asylum, operating every Thursday from 9pm till 12pm at Riverview Church: 1 Thorogood Street Burswood: www.facebook.com/asylumseekerhub

Thousands of people seeking protection while living in the Australian community are at risk of destitution and homelessness due to the latest government move to completely cut income support for people who need it the most.

You can:

1. add your name to the statement in response to the government’s planned cuts to the Status Resolution Support Service (SRSS) program: https://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/takeaction/forced-destitution/ 
2. Write to the Prime Minister – here’s some handy hints: http://asrccampaigns.nationbuilder.com/handwritten_invite_to_pm 

 

You could also write to your local MP and express your concern about our treatment of refugees and people seeking asylum
www.getup.org.au/campaigns/refugees/manus-and-nauru

Stay connected to find out about more opportunities to get involved: www.facebook.com/Justice4RefugeesWA/

www.justice4refugeeswa.com

Want your photo featured here?

Download the I’m attending because… poster, take a photo with your reason and send it to kate.leaney@wa.uca.org.au !

 

#OutOfLimbo #Justice4Refugees #EvacuateNow

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Have you been thinking “I really want to promote Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees 2018, but I just don’t know how”?

Fear not, we’ve prepared a promo pack just for you! Feel free to download and share the attached images on your social medias – and if you want to get really into it, email kate.leaney@wa.uca.org.au and we’ll send you a full promo kit so you can really go to town!

#OutOfLimbo #JusticeForRefugees

Download the Palm Sunday 2018 poster final here

Here’s an image you can download and print, then take photos of people in your community sharing why they’ll be part of Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees
– Post your photos and selfies here, or email them to kate.leaney@wa.uca.org.au!

On Sunday 25th March, Perth will gather to demonstrate a broad and united movement of people and organisations who call for justice and dignity for refugees and for people seeking asylum.

We stand for justice, freedom and safety for refugees and people seeking asylum. We will not rest until freedom comes.

Join us:
Sunday 25th March
1.00pm
St Georges Cathedral
38 St Georges Terrace Perth

RSVP Here

Speakers and performers to be announced

Endorsed by:

Email kate.leaney@wa.uca.org.au to add your organisation to the list!