Aliyah and Hakim find refuge at The Good Samaritan Inn
When Aliyah* and her 7 year-old son Hakim* arrived at Good Samaritan Inn Melbourne, they were immediately welcomed by the Inn’s support team. With Aliyah’s agreement, a telephone interpreter was arranged to make communication less stressful. Aliyah was reassured that she could sleep at the Inn without anyone else knowing where she was and that she and Hakim could have a home-cooked Halal meal.
When she felt ready, Aliyah told her story to the Inn’s support staff who gave her encouragement and empathy. They also showed respect for the inner strength she had shown in trying to protect herself and Hakim from the violence and abuse she had experienced at home.
Since arriving at Good Samaritan Inn, Aliyah has learned about her rights to live free from violence. Gradually her sense of power over her own decisions and actions increased and she came to realise that she was not to blame for the violence. Aliyah learned ways to manage her trauma and stress. Hakim also became calmer after participating in the Inn’s children’s therapy program and exploring and playing in the garden.
Good Samaritan Inn connected Aliyah with other organisations who could help her with legal advice. After the Victorian Police helped retrieve important documentation from her home, she was able to secure a family violence provisional visa. She also connected with the Muslim Women’s Centre, which provides social and cultural support. After staying at Good Samaritan Inn for 10 days, Aliyah and Hakim now live in longer-term safe and supported housing.
*Not their real names
Mariyam and daughters find a support network in Australia
At 29 years old in Pakistan, with three daughters were aged 6, 9 and 13, the violence against Mariyam* by her husband began soon after she married. Her husband’s family also perpetrated extreme violence against her.
Mariyam tried very hard to protect her children from the violence but eventually began to fear for their safety. Without her husband knowing, Mariyam organised passports for herself and daughters, and fled Pakistan arriving in Melbourne in 2018 on a 3-month tourist visa. Through the help of Good Samaritan Inn, Mariyam was able to extend her visa. Her support worker at the Inn linked her to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) for ongoing case management. The local community health centre and the Royal Children’s Hospital also provided physical and psychological support.
The younger girls were able to attend the local Catholic primary school which waived all tuition fees and assisted with uniforms. Mariyam was introduced to a local community garden that enabled her to grow her own vegetables and help her sustain the family’s healthy eating. Through the help of Good Samaritan networks, the family moved into a 3-bedroom house close to Mariyam’s new support network.
*Not her real names
Fayza and the Women in Work enterprise
Fayza was referred to GSI by homelessness service, Haven Home Safe and, along with her 18-month-old daughter, stayed in GSI’s crisis accommodation from 17th March 2020. Whilst GSI worked tirelessly with Fayza and specialist immigration services, Fayza was not eligible to receive any income, and such had no housing options. On the 29th April 2020, Fayza and her daughter moved into GSI’s transitional house.
Through a former board member of GSI, Women In Work worked alongside Neami to develop a job opportunity for a part-time administration role to which Fayza was put forward. Neami is a community-based organisation providing mental health services. Since leaving Syria in 2014, Fayza was controlled emotionally, mentally and financially by her former husband. Fayza has worked with Neami since November 2020 and this has enabled her to earn money and work towards becoming financially independent for the first time since arriving in Australia. To date, Fayza has earned $10,000 in the job gained through GSI.
Fayza often states that finding this work has changed her life and Fayza now dreams to build a new life for herself and her daughter where she breaks the cycle of poverty. Due to the freedom and options offered through employment, Fayza is currently planning her exit from GSI’s transitional house where she will be completely self-sufficient since being supported by GSI’s various services less than 12 months ago. Through Women in Work, women like Fayza are given the opportunity to gain employment and work towards financial stability and independence.
