Refugee Week Hub Stories – Ishwara’s story

Ishwara is a hub participant and creche worker. She is 32 years old and has two daughters. She is from Bhutan. She learnt to speak English in a refugee camp in Nepal.

This is Ishwara’s story in her own words.

“In the 1990s, due to Bhutan’s ‘one religion one Nation policy’ I came to Nepal and lived in a refugee camp for 18 years – this felt like a lifetime with no destination and no hope. I received a humanitarian offer to resettle and begin my new life with some hope and a good future. I arrived in June 2009, in the City of Churches (Adelaide) in South Australia.

Coming to Australia in the beginning was not easy. I was excited to come to Australia in the beginning but starting a new life was a big challenge. I don’t have anybody left in my home country, but my family was separated. We are in different parts of the world because refugees are not allowed to select the country to resettle. My parents and siblings were resettled in America.

Australia is full of opportunity – to study, better health system, good food. It is very welcoming with peaceful communities and a nation of migrants with a diverse and multicultural society, and full of opportunities.

Once I got the chance to connect with the community hub it helped me a lot in terms of socialising with diverse range of mainstream and migrant communities. I started working as a creche worker in the hub at the end of 2018. I really enjoy working in this environment.  This has helped me learn about different culture, food, other people’s lives and what they have gone through in their country, and in their life.

Being part of this hub has helped me to connect with different women’s groups that are full of knowledge and new skills. With my experience working here, I am more confident than ever and started working in other places as well. I wouldn’t be able to do this without the help and support of the hub leader. Thanks for supporting and believing in me – great people and a great place to be.”