ANNE URE

I first thought about volunteering to work with refugees after I saw an ABC Four Corners program on refugees in Australia, which had a huge impact on me. I had been involved in ESL teaching to migrants for a number of years, but settlement for refugees is so much more complex than simply learning English, so I contacted MRS to ask how I could get involved.

The current family I support fled from Iraq and came to Australia via Iran. The family consists of a single mother, with three children - two in primary school and the third in pre-school. The extended family is very scattered, some still in Iraq, others in Iran and others in Scandinavia. The on-going war in Iraq is worrying and frightening for a family so far away in Australia, especially when they have relatives in immediate danger zones.

When the family first arrived in Australia, life was difficult and confusing. They had virtually no English. Learning to budget for a family of four in an unfamiliar city on a pension was a new experience. For example, unlimited use of several electric heaters in several rooms during winter resulted in a massive and unanticipated electric bill. The budget went into melt-down! Together, we have worked through so many domestic and other questions, finding ways to make things easier; learning where to turn if outside help is necessary, becoming familiar with the local library for toys, books, audio tapes and videos, enrolling in a TAFE English class, sharing recipes and understanding ingredients. Gradually, the "fog" is lifting and the horizon broadening, as together we laugh over our "crazy English language" and visit places of interest around Sydney. These can be gardens or parks, a market, a museum, the zoo, a ferry ride - "the locals" might take these pleasures for granted but to experience the excitement of others has its own reward.

Working as a MRS volunteer enables me to be there for an individual or family, offering encouragement and support in many aspects of their daily lives, and gradually building up their confidence, so that in time, they will feel comfortable in their new country. Sometimes, it just means spending time with the family, getting to know them, being a listener, encouraging the children, laughing over experiences, learning about their culture, and answering questions. At other times, there might be bigger issues, such as medical or legal problems, where moral support from a familiar and trusted person at a stressful time can make all the difference. Even the simplest official letter from government or school can be perplexing and daunting, especially if it needs a reply!

I have learned so much from being a volunteer. In spite of Australia being a land of many cultures, we all share hopes and fears and having a friend to turn to, in good times and in bad, is so important. Of course, we volunteers don't have all the answers, but sharing a friendship makes such a difference. Through my MRS work, I have not only made some very special friends, but hopefully, I've helped in a small way. As I get to know "my" families, I can learn something of their countries and their culture. Visiting their home on a regular basis and enjoying their hospitality, laughing over the experiences of our week, the children squeezing into one big armchair beside me, school books pressed into my hands for inspection and comment. When a nine year old earnestly asks me to make sure I bring "some thinking games" for us to do together on a train journey, how can one not feel so happy to be with them? - surely I gain as much, if not more, than I give?

Working with refugees, one realises time and time again that they have amazing resilience and determination and have overcome so much to come to Australia. Many have been through incredibly testing times which we can never experience or imagine. Friendship and reassurance can make such a difference to them and asks so little of us. To help refugee families over their hurdles in the early years in a new country offers them new and brighter lives and can only lead to the host country becoming all the richer.

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