"There are many celebrations in Somalia, but I don’t celebrate them. I celebrate World Refugee Day, because I don’t remember much about my country. I left when I was only 8 and I grew up in a refugee camp.
World Refugee Day is celebrated on June 20th each year. The website says “It honours the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict, and violence.” I was one of these people!
Why is it important to me? When we came to Kenya, we had nothing – no food, no clothing. We didn’t even know where we were going. They gave us a tent and some blankets, clean water to drink and food – I think it was maize. That day we believed we were going to get a new life – we were without hope before that. We were there for three years.
Then the government closed the camp because it was too close to the border. We moved further inland to a place called Hager-Dher. We stayed there for 15 years. Life got better and better. There was nothing there – you couldn’t grow anything or keep animals there, but we had peace and teachers came and taught the kids. My mother started a little market.We always celebrated World Refugee Day in the camp. That’s why I can’t forget that day. There were many nationalities there – Sudanese, Eritreans – and we all celebrated together.
Now I live in Brisbane and we do the same thing. We meet at a big park. There are so many nationalities. Each country does its traditional dance. The young people don’t usually join in, because they were born here. But we older people, we remember. I sometimes feel happy, sometimes emotional on this day. Emotional because I remember life before the refugee camp and in the refugee camp. But then, I remember where I am today and I feel happy because I have a better life. I never thought I would have this chance."
Thank you Ayan for sharing your story of hope and courage with your DL classmates.We really admire your determination. Feel free to write to Ayan in the comments box below.
Activities
CSWE 1-3
1. Why is World Refugee Day important to Ayan?
2. What gave Ayan hope in the refugee camps?
3. Why do you think it's important to celebrate Refugee Week in Australia?
CSWE 2-3
Click HERE to watch a video on refugees starting their own business. Choose one refugee story and discuss the questions with your teacher.
1. What business are they starting up?
2. What will help them start the business?
3. What will they need to overcome to make the business a success?
CSWE 3
Click on the link HERE to read about the achievements of the 2017 Refugee Week Ambassadors.Choose 1 story to discuss with your teacher.
1. What country are they from?
2. Why do you think they were chosen as ambassadors?
3. Why is it important to promote the success of refugees in Australia?
