An AMES refugee client who worked as a nurse before fleeing Eritrea because of political problems is now part of a program to help his community in Melbourne understand and access information about COVID-19.
Birhane Mahari Gebretensay has been selected to be a Community Health Champion working with public health provider IPC in Sunshine.
Community Health Champions are bilingual community members who engage and deliver awareness raising activities in their communities.
Birhane's work is to identify, develop and implement community engagement activities that facilitate information sharing; share relevant and up to date health and wellbeing information with community, and; link community members to available local services and programs to address their needs.
He will also work alongside local agencies to identify and address barriers to accessing information and services and consult and advocate for community needs.
IPC Health is funding the champions as an honorarium as well as providing training, guidance and support
Before coming to Australia a year ago, Birhane worked as a nurse for 17 years. He was forced to flee to Sudan with his wife and three children because of the deteriorating political situation in Eritrea, one of the most authoritarian regimes in the world.
AMES Australia Case Manager Mathumathy Mugunthan has supported Birhane on his settlement journey in Australia.
She sent the call for volunteers to Birhane and helped him fill out the application.
“Birhane has finished the training and is set to begin work with IPC. He has also completed a Certificate III as a Personal Care Assistant and hopes to resume his career in the health care sector," Mathu said.
Birhane said he was happy to have secured a volunteer job that will help him resume his career.
“It is fantastic to be here in Australia and to get a job like this in the community," Birhane said.
“My aim is to take further study and work as a nurse or in aged care," he said.
“I want to thank AMES Australia and especially my case manager Ms Muthu. She has given me a lot of support and help," Birhane said.
This update is written by AMES Australia Media Team.