Ashiana Humanitarian Network has had a busy month engaging with new non-government organisations and communities in an effort to grow its network, learn more about issues affecting refugees, and share its plans.
Our director, Farid Popal, represented Ashiana at recent community consultations held in Perth in March 2023 by Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia regarding their community sponsorship pilot program, how to get involved and what benefits this offers to those seeking asylum. You can follow this link to learn more about this program and join or coordinate a group of likeminded people to sponsor refugees to find a peaceful home in Australia. Ashiana is hoping to develop its relationship with CRSA to share more about the pilot program with its members and the local refugee community
On 16 March 2023, our Chairperson, Dr Mary Nangrahary represented Ashiana at breakfast hosted by the Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Centre in honour of International Women’s Day. Ongoing challenges that women face in day-to-day personal and professional life were the topics of discussion. The event featured guest speaker Rabia Siddique, in conversation with Monika Kos. This was a great opportunity to meet like minded people and further strengthen the bonds between Ashiana and other community organisations like Dress for Success, Multicultural Services WA, 100Women and the Edmund Rice Centre WA.
Pictured Left: Chaynika Sethi (Dress for Success) and Dr Mary Nangrahary (Ashiana Chairperson)
Ashiana was invited to an event hosted by Cyril Jackson Senior Campus on 22 March 2023 in celebration of Harmony Day. Cyril Jackson Senior Campus has a large cohort of students from refugee, humanitarian entrant and other migrant backgrounds, and one of our members, Roya Ansari (pictured in the central image below), has spoken very highly of the innovative approach taken by the school in supporting these students. Through the event attended by our Director, Farid Popal, we were able to demonstrate how Ashiana can be a valuable community partner to the school and its students. Farid also met with other community organisations and stakeholders including the Australian Red Cross, Consumers of Mental Health WA, Women’s Health and Family Services, Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Centre and the WA Police.
To round out a successful month, Ashiana’s Farid Popal and Maria Lamattina attended a rally in support of refugees held on Sunday, 2 April 2023 outside St George’s Cathedral and hosted by Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD), the Refugee Rights Action Network, Justice for Refugees WA and the Curtin Centre for Human Rights Education. After a welcome to country by Reverend Garlett, we heard from a local refugee sharing their family’s struggles with Australia’s immigration system and their ultimate pathway to citizenship. The march proceeded through the CBD and was a great opportunity to share a message of peace and unity with the local community and to inspire the next generation to action.
