This year brought deep and abiding sadness with the death of one of our long-serving and very active members, Nicoletta. Her absence is strongly felt. Many refugees and asylum seekers attended Nicoletta’s funeral and wrote moving tributes.
We have continued with our usual activities of visiting refugees and their families in the community. Some steadfast members visit Villawood Detention Centre as well. We provided refugees and asylum seekers with much needed funds and relief from distress, poverty and misfortune where there was most need. We have assisted them with medical, legal, pharmaceutical, rental and power bills and purchased food and groceries, phone cards, a pram, clothes, essential household items and a child safety-gate.
We provided emergency assistance to a single Tamil mother who suddenly found herself in a desperate situation with no government assistance.
We also assisted a small refugee family who had to transfer to a regional centre for two years. The father was unable to funds work at first and this was very distressing for them as they found it difficult to pay rent and buy food. After weeks of searching he has now found employment.
Some members have attended court hearings to support refugees.
From time to time we meet with ex-detainees to share a meal or go on an
outing.
A sense of hope has arisen for three refugee families who have recently celebrated the births of babies after experiencing many years of helplessness and hopelessness whilst in detention.
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