Refugee Week

Category - Stories of Freedom

Ibrahim Ali

It has been quite a journey from Ethiopia to Australia, with no English, to become a part of society here. Freedom for me is to express myself the way I want. Freedom of expression is the most important aspect which...

Ackim Mulumba

Ackim Mulumba is a member of the Congolese community. This is what freedom means to him: Different people have different interpretations of freedom. For me, freedom is not just the absence of violence. It has a much...

Fahima Ahmadi

Fahima Ahmadi is a former refugee from Afghanistan. This is what freedom means to her: I was evacuated from Afghanistan in 2021 when the Taliban took control of Kabul, where I’d worked for several non-governmental...

“Fresh air rejuvenates me.”

I love that I am living in Australia now. I like the warm weather here. Australia is a country where people are free to enjoy their rights. It is peaceful here and I feel I am free. I can do whatever I like. I love the...

Andrea Rico

Andrea Rico is from Colombia. This is what freedom means to her: I came to Australia three years ago. I like having financial freedom in Australia. I could not believe that I could have my own bank account here. When I...

Hanan

Hanan is from Jordan/Bosnia. This is what freedom means to her: When I was a refugee, I was treated like an alien and faced racism when I practiced my traditional way of life, even in Australia. Racism exists in every...

Fida

Fida is from Afghanistan. This is what freedom means to him. I have lived my life always searching for freedom. It is a concept that has been cherished by humanity for centuries which in its core refers to the ability...

Elizabeth

Elizabeth is a former refugee from Venezuela. This is what freedom means to her: “I was just 14 when I had to flee from my country, Venezuela, in 2014. I had no freedom there. I came to Australia in 2019, but I...