A narrative of hope: International Day of the Migrant

Friend or foe? It depends on whose narrative you listen to.

Some narratives paint migrants as a burden and a threat. The reality is migrants are integral members of their communities, contributing to the societies they live in, bringing diversity, experience, and humanity.

They are people who have left their country of origin, perhaps never to see their homelands again. They are people who have learnt to make the most of the opportunities given to them and to work hard at re-imagining and rebuilding their lives. The narrative that imposes fear around migrants is problematic. It is the precursor of policies and points of view that cause harm to migrants and seek to deny them equal protection and human rights.

The truth is many migrants have suffered unspeakable hardships – war, rape, death, and the loss of home, community, and country. They have survived circumstances that we cannot even begin to understand from our privileged and safe lives.

The Yezidi people suffered some of the worst human rights violations of any people group on the planet when ISIS sought to exterminate them from the face of the earth. Their stories are beyond our comprehension – family, friends, and community being rounded up and murdered within earshot of their loved ones; the kidnappings, rapes, beatings, and sexual slavery of women and girls; whole towns fleeing with the clothes on their backs in their quest to cling to life, leaving everything, chased down by the reality and horror of full-scale bloodshed and slaughter.

The lucky ones made it to refugee camps where they have spent years in harsh conditions, safe but bereft and grieving. The level of trauma they live with is extreme. Life is more about survival than anything. But survive they have. And they have continued to love their families, to stay alive, and to endure lengthy waits for possible resettlement. The Australian government has granted refuge to thousands of Yezidi people. In Toowoomba, You Belong welcomes hundreds of these new migrant families each year. These precious people have suffered so much and yet embrace life as they seek to integrate into Australian life.

YouBelong oversees trauma counselling and also trains new migrants to facilitate the GROW Trauma Recovery Program. The program is designed on the principle of growth from trauma, forging a life that would not have been possible without the trauma. It means taking the very worst of suffering and forming meaning and new opportunities from its fabric.

Misinformation is the enemy of migrants. On this International Day, YouBelong seeks to address the fear-based narrative so that migration can work for us all, and so that those who have suffered so much can live meaningful lives and contribute to Australian life.

YouBelong is based on a different narrative …

Loving refugees extravagantly through generous hospitality & kindness, without any agenda or bias.

Listening to refugees with empathy, placing supreme value on their personal experiences and story.

Learning about and from refugees with an open heart and mind, knowing they have just as much to teach us.

Educating refugees through programs that promote mental, emotional, social and spiritual health.

Equipping refugees towards independent living through skills training, vocational workshops and job creation.

Empowering refugees to become purpose-filled leaders that influence their own community and beyond

Words: Tracey Heers