68.5 million individuals have been forcibly displaced worldwide as a result of persecution, conflict, violence or human rights violations. We are now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record.

Mirrabooka is home to the second largest population of humanitarian refugees in Australia. When people arrive in Mirrabooka as humanitarian refugees they come with a lifetime of skills and experience. However, many carry personal stories of trauma.

Ishar is committed to help empower refugee and migrant women rebuild their lives in Australia.  

Fatima* is a 66 year old Palestinian born Syrian refugee. She has 6 children, 4 of which she has been separated from since fleeing the war in Syria. Four of her children have resettled in Canada, America, Jordan and Turkey. Her other 2 children have been resettled in Australia.

The Syrian Civil War created one of the most devastating humanitarian disasters in the world, with an estimated number of 13.5 million Syrians internally displaced or are refugees outside Syria, according to the United Nations. 

This is Fatima’s* Story…

I was born to Palestinian parents but was raised in Syria, where I spent my childhood and adulthood. As Palestinians we struggled a lot but as we lived in the border area, close to Palestine, it was similar to our land. Gradually we felt like Syrians and we were entitled to a life like other Syrians.

I studied in Syria, married there, lived there. My four children and my grandchildren lived in Syria. Syria is very close to my heart.

The word ‘refugee’, I have heard since I was young and it hurt. I heard the word from my mum and dad. I did not know that one day I would be a refugee too.

 Some people dream of coming to Australia, but when you are forced to leave your country due to war like me, then you come with lots of pain and suffering. As you know, Syria is being destroyed.

Soon after we got here, I heard about 14 people who were killed in Syria. Among them were my niece and her children. I was devastated and mentally I collapsed. I was only two months in the country.  I talked to the counsellor at Ishar.

I believe that those hard experiences have made me stronger.

I believe that by coming to Australia it gives a lot of opportunity to my children and grandchildren, I have to give back to this country which is giving me a lot. This ground I am stepping on now is my country now. I am very grateful to this country. Australia as a country cares about its people. We need to work with our heart and soul to give to this country.

Ishar supports women like Fatima* by providing vital culturally responsive health and wellbeing services.

Help support the vulnerable women and their children by donating to Ishar.