Dignity, safety and the freedom to dream: refugee students share their stories in Parliament
Skill Path’s Steph Cousins (front) and Sally Baker (rear), with RSSP students from L-R Sumaia, Umar and Jasmine at Parliament House, Canberra
Two inspiring RSSP students - Sumaia and Umar - recently shared their personal stories in front of a special event at Parliament House to honour the resilience of people who have rebuilt their lives in Australia.
The students were guests at a Parliamentary Friends of Refugees event celebrating one million stories of refugees who have settled in Australia since World War 2 .
Umar speaks to the Parliamentary Friends of Refugee event about education, dignity and safety.
Umar and Sumaia spoke with clarity and purpose about the realities facing young refugees around the world, and why we need to expand education pathways now through programs like Skill Path’s Refugee Student Settlement Pathway.
Umar fled the Rohingya genocide and grew up as a refugee in Malaysia. Through tenacity and family sacrifice he completed high school in a refugee school - becoming the first person in his extended family to reach this level of education. Now he is studying a Bachelor of Engineering at Deakin University in Geelong and wants to help build a better world.
In his speech, Umar said;
“For many refugee students, education is not just about getting a degree. It is about dignity, safety, and being able to dream again.
“I am proud to be part of this program. I am also proud to show that when refugees are given the chance, we do not waste it. We study, we work hard, we contribute, and we give back.”
Sumaia always dreamt of being a teacher but was not able to pursue this dream as a refugee from Somalia living in Malaysia. Life was tough but she persevered - and now she is studying a Bachelor of Primary Education at the University of Sydney. She’s excited to soon be in front of an Aussie classroom, helping the kids grow in confidence and knowledge.
In her speech, Sumaia said:
“Australia has world-class universities and TAFEs, and there are talented refugee students around the world who are ready to study, work and contribute if they are simply given the chance.
“There is so much talent out there. What's missing is the door of opportunity. I am here today because someone opened that door for me. I’m here today with one request: please don’t let that door close behind me.”
Sumaia tells the Parliament House event how the Refugee Student Settlement Pathway is helping her to fulfil her dream of becoming a teacher.
L-R: RSSP students Sumaia, Umar and Jasmine at Parliament House
L-R: Hon Andrew Giles MP (Minister for Skills and Training) with RSSP students Sumaia and Jasmine
