Freedom Communities giving hope to asylum seekers
Ali Nazari has now been granted a protection visa and is working at a Salvation Army Family Store.
In addition to its work in offshore processing facilities on Nauru and Manus Island, The Salvation Army is providing accommodation and support to a number of asylum seekers on the Australian mainland.
After winning a Department of Immigration and Citizenship contract to provide “Community Care and Welfare Services for Clients in Community Detention” in late 2011, The Salvation Army began providing supported housing to people waiting the determination of their immigration status.
Asylum seekers involved in the Army’s Freedom Communities program are appointed an individual case worker who visits them on an almost daily basis. They introduce the asylum seeker to Australian society and their local community, encourage community involvement and provide social and emotional support.
Ali Nazari is a 37-year-old Hazara man. He entered the care of The Salvation Army in January 2012.
Ali left Afghanistan 18 years ago after returning home from work one day to find that his brother had been killed and his father beaten unconscious by the Taliban. Knowing that the Taliban would be back for him later that night, he had little choice but to take what little belongings he had and flee over the border to Quetta in Pakistan.
Ali spent the next 15 years in Pakistan, where he met his wife. They now have three children. Because Ali and his family weren’t recognised as refugees in Pakistan, they had limited access to education for their children and basic health services and work rights.
After years of persecution, Ali and his wife made the terrifying decision to let him find refuge in Australia. It took nine months for Ali to make his way to Australia. He then spent a further 15 months in detention centres across the country.
After entering the care of The Salvation Army, Ali was given the opportunity to volunteer at the Army’s Family Store in Cairns. He relished the work and volunteered every day at the store for more than five months.
Recently, Ali was granted his protection visa and status to live in Australia. A position at the Family Store opened up shortly after and the store manager had no hesitation in offering it to Ali who eagerly accepted.
Ali said that he would love to continue to work for The Salvation Army because “they have given me so much, so of course I want to work for The Salvation Army. It gives me an opportunity to give back to the community.”
Ali is starting the legal process for his family to join him in Australia.
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