About 30 people gathered in Alstonville recently to celebrate Refugee Week – and to hear plans for welcoming an Afghan couple escaping the terror of the Taliban. The event also heard the moving story of a family supported by NRFR.
Hosted by the Alstonville Anglican Church and the newly formed Alstonville Community Support Group (ACSG), the event welcomed residents, representatives of community support services and members of Alstonville’s church communities – ‘people who care about making Alstonville a place of compassion and inclusion’.
NRFR president Marilyn Leeks introduced the powerful work the group does to help settle refugees into our communities and described the Cup of Kindness fundraising initiative.
Then local broadcaster Jenny Burgess conducted a wonderful Q&A with Juan Carlos Guerrero, Gabriela Medrano and Jean Karrel Medrano, during which they shared their experience of fleeing their Venezuelan homeland and finding a peaceful life in Ballina with NRFR’s help.
The night concluded with an address from Sue Milne, founder of the ACSG. “Refugee Week reminds us of both the hardship and the hope that comes with seeking safety,” Sue said. “In a world that often feels overwhelmed by conflict and division, and especially so at the moment, we have a chance to do something profoundly positive – one family at a time.”
Sue described how rewarding it was to have been part of the NRFR community support group that helped settle a Syrian family in Ballina. What she did not tell the crowd is that she has spent the best part of two years advocating for a young, professional Afghan couple to escape the horrors of the Taliban regime.
The couple are hoping to secure a humanitarian visa under the skilled refugee resettlement program Talent Beyond Boundaries, which matches skilled refugees with vacancies in a new country. A Northern Rivers businessperson has offered a job, all necessary paperwork has been submitted, and ACSG hopes to welcome the couple to Alstonville in coming months.
The group thanked those who volunteered to help support the pair at the Refugee Week event, plus rector Desiree Snyman and members of the Anglican Church of Alstonville.
As Sue said: “In a world that can feel so terrible at times, being able to do something positive for one family is a powerful antidote. When we welcome newcomers, we strengthen the fabric that binds us all together.”
Anyone who would like to support the ACSG’s efforts – and provide practical or social help or financial donations when the couple arrives – can email ACSG.
Pictured:
Jenny Burgess, Gabriela Medrano, Juan Carlos Guerrero, Jean Karrel Medrano, Alstonville Anglican Church rector Desiree Snyman and ACSG founder Sue Milne.
