When seeing the need as the first group of refugees arrived, Samira quit her job to focus on helping them to settle in their new country having arrived as a refugee herself in 1998 and understanding the barriers.
The qualified counsellor, teacher and community development worker is busy seven days a week in her support worker efforts, has two young children to take care of and is pregnant.
She has booked rooms in Guildford and Merrylands on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from where herself and other volunteers teach English, computer and driving lessons.
They run an Afghan school for students on Saturdays to ensure their language and culture are not forgotten and she has helped others undertake sewing lessons leading to job opportunities with the Social Outfit migrant enterprise group in Newtown.
“I am also trying to organise swimming lessons in Granville as most can’t swim,” Samira said.
“I’ve shown them how to access Medicare, Centrelink and childcare and welcome older women to the office on Tuesdays to simply have a chat and find out how they are feeling.
“It’s been amazing how far most of them have come in the last year, now feeling much more confident and settled in their new lives.
“We are now trying to get accreditation so our non-profit group can be recognised as a service provider.”
Always in need of support, Samira welcomes cash, long-life food and clothing donations.
If you can help, call Samira on 0434 121 766.