An Iraqi refugee family is on a pathway to building fulfilling new lives in Melbourne thanks to support from migrant and refugee settlement agency AMES Australia.
Ghassan and Nawar, and their two children Christian and Valantina, have been supported to find pathways to employment and education and have been connected with vital services as part of their resettlement journey.
The family arrived in Australia in February 2020 as refugees through Australia’s Humanitarian Settlement Program. At home, Ghassan was a Maths teacher in Iraq and Nawar a computer teacher.
On their arrival in Melbourne Ghassan and Nawar were enrolled in the federal government-funded Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) program.
AMES case managers worked closely with the family to link them to health, housing, education, language, family support services, community connections and employment support.
The family was referred to a GP to complete their health assessment and the children were enrolled into mainstream school.
After completing their SEE course and obtaining their driving licenses, they were able to find work.
Nawar was supported to complete a job application for a position as an NDIS Support Worker.
After completing the job application, the Working with Children Check, the International Police Check as well as a resume, she was successful in landing a job.
Nawar is enjoying her new role and would like to upskill and pursue a career in the NDIS and social work. She has also adjusted her work hours to enable her to make time for her home responsibilities.
Ghassan has found work as a teaching aide. Christian and Valantina have settled well in school, have made friends and their English is excellent.