Community Voice is a monthly column celebrating Greater Dandenong’s diverse cultures and lifestyles. This month Sri Samy, a charity volunteer and advocate for Tamil refugees, shares how she struggled as a new migrant and found a new direction in life as a community helper.
FEELINGS of isolation and loneliness form a common theme in the stories of most new migrants.
I was no different. I came to Australia from India after an
arranged marriage. The only person I knew here was my husband. I felt
excitement at my new life but it was also tinged with loss, having left
behind all my friends and family.
I missed them so much in those early years, but what saved me from
despair was being lucky enough to get a job at my first interview. I am
a trained architect and I was working in this field a few weeks after
arriving in Australia. Soon enough, I was too busy to think much about
being so far away from my family and friends.
Tragedy struck five years later when my husband and I lost our
first-born son at birth, as well as both our fathers, within a matter of
months. The next year the world became a better place for us when our
only – and beautiful – daughter, Krisha Samy, was born.
Health issues forced me to take another turn in life. Unable to
focus on work because of the time taken caring for my daughter, I made a
decision to focus on the family.
I became involved in community work while working on my home-based
business. Through my experiences I came to the realisation that we have
to live our life to the fullest and do our best to add value to other
people’s lives. Some people may sometimes just need a hug or a smile.
My experience in life and work in community has made me
understand the common phrase “a community is only as strong as its
weakest link”.
I volunteer at Dandenong Community Aid Bureau, providing emergency
relief, and at the Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition,
running women’s support groups.
I use my IT skills to help these organisations. I teach computer
skills, English to refugees and facilitate leadership courses for women.
I work with the Tamil Refugee Council and Friends of Refugees,
providing material aid for refugees and raising awareness about the
plight of refugees and the reason they are here — persecution in their
homeland.
It sounds a lot to take on, and at times it can be hard work. But
it is also fulfilling to be able to give people a helping hand and help
them get over those familiar feelings of isolation and helplessness.
