50 Years of Freedom

My life is full and I don't really want for much - other than perhaps peace and calm in those seemingly far-flung places where ordinary human beings (like me) have unwittingly found themselves suffering, often without just cause. It seems that for those who are able to make their way out of those situations life often continues to be hard as they painstakingly uproot their families and endure often treacherous journeys that so often means risking their very lives. 

Our neighbours are refugees of war torn Sudan, having spent the past 18 years in a refugee camp sheltering. They sought asylum through a Christian charity and found themselves here in Perth, in our neighbourhood. They are a big family trying to settle, fit in, and make the best of their new found home and circumstances and,  while their lives are no longer in peril there are many obstacles to overcome. Things like learning a new language in order to communicate, understanding a new and completely different culture and settling their children into school is difficult even without those challenges. The children are the most adaptable -as often children are, I can hear in the 4 year old, the beginnings of a cute Aussie accent. The older girls are often outside simply throwing a ball around. The young adults are learning to drive, and seeking employment to help support the family which consists of three generations under one roof. From the very start, it was apparent that the very things we take for granted appeared to be a trial of perseverance and resourcefulness. The family received great support from the services that were initially engaged with settling them into a new home. But as we know, very often those services are underfunded and struggling themselves, to provide assistance.

Organisations such as the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre come to mind, who do not receive any federal government funding in order to provide wrap-around support like healthcare for example. The ASRC health clinic provides a range of primary health services to around 1470 people a year and prioritise those without access to Medicare. They are one of the only lifelines for people seeking asylum for basic medical care, immunisations and medicine.

They also have a food bank that provides food for around 1000 a week, most of whom have NO income. Just $40 can provide a family with food and essential groceries. What could you forgo this week to the value of $40 that would have little or no consequence to you or your family?

Nothing extraordinary, but these days it truly feels like a privilege to be able to wake up feeling safe, fed and loved. My most basic needs met.   If I get the chance to get to a pottery class, swim in the ocean and play at the gym I've ticked almost all the 'bonus' boxes - and these are indeed things I get to do almost every week.