After being targeted by Islamic extremists in his homeland and forced into near slave labour as an exile living in Lebanon, Iraqi refugee Ramsin Moshi Butrus Kano is finally on pathway to relaunching his career as an engineer in Australia.
He is studying for a Master's Degree at RMIT after arriving in Australia last year. He had secured a job as an engineer but it disappeared with the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I was expecting to get a job but the COVID-19 crisis put that on hold," Ramsin said.
“I was told there was no opportunity right now – not until after the pandemic and its economic fallout," he said.
“I studied EAL (English as an additional language) at RMIT last February and finished the course. Then I applied to do a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering at RMIT University. I was accepted but I deferred it because I was expecting to get a job.
“Now, I have enrolled in a full time Masters course beginning this month," Ramsin said.
Ramsin is an Assyrian Christian from a largely Christian town south of Baghdad called Al Dora. He studied a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering and had five years' experience working as an engineer in Baghdad.
But when Ramsin took a job as a project manager on some Christian church buildings in his town, he and his family became the target of Islamic extremists and he and his family had to flee.
They arrived in Australia last year after spending four years in limbo in Lebanon where Ramsin was forced to take any job he could find.
He said that arriving in Australia has brought relief for his family.
“The first time in I arrived in Australia, I felt relaxed and safe. Australia is a great country and we are very grateful to be here," he said.
Ramsin has been supported by AMES case manager Balsam Hanna.
She met Ramsin when he moved from Melbourne's west to be close to his family, church and community in the city's north.
Balsam helped guide Ramsin through the process of getting his qualifications recognised and through more English courses.
“She encouraged me and recommended to me what I should do on my pathway," Ramsin said.
Balsam said it was a pleasure to work with someone motivated to learn and study and improve their qualifications.
“We devised a plan for Ramsin and his family in terms of his professional career but also in terms of their health needs, schooling, accommodation, orientation and linking the family to the local church and community," she said.
However, Ramsin is determined to continue on his pathway and has started a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering at RMIT University in July.
And he said that having someone to encourage and guide him through the early steps of his new life in Australia had made things easier.
“Balsam and AMES have helped me start a new life here in Australia," he said.
Balsam knows first-hand the challenges facing a newly arrived refugee. She walked the journey herself when she was forced to flee Iraq in 2003.
Balsam spent nine months in Turkey before settling with her family in Australia.
“I know what Ramsin and so many other refugees have been through. It is not easy to leave everything behind and leave your home forever," she said.
“Your miss your family and friends and the life you had but once you are settled here, Australia becomes home," Balsam said.
This update is written by AMES Australia Media Team.