Settlement Works - Stories from Rockhampton - Multicultural ...

ABBAS ALI REZAI
I
was born in Dasht, Nili, Daikundi,
Afghanistan. I come from a small
family, and have only one brother
and one sister. I left Afghanistan when I
was 15 years old, as a refugee. Like most
Afghanis you will meet in Rockhampton,
we all left during that time because it was
too dangerous for us to stay. Hazara people
were being targeted every day.
We went to Quetta, where it was safe
and happy for a while. But after 2003
things began to worsen. Day after day
more attacks happened. We were very
anxious and all we could talk about was:
“should we stay or should we go?” One
good thing though that happened during
that time was I met and married my wife,
Masooma. We now have two beautiful
children.
My family decided I had to leave
Pakistan. I had to stay alive for my family,
and with more and more attacks it was too
dangerous to stay in Quetta.
I hadn’t had my visa very long when
an old friend, Mohammad Azad , called
me to tell me that the meat works he was
working at was looking for more workers.
I quickly joined him in Rockhampton.
Rockhampton is a beautiful small
town; easy to get around, safe and not
too crowded. It is very multicultural and
I enjoy mixing with people from all over
the world. In Quetta, all Hazara people
had to keep to themselves as it was too
dangerous to talk with strangers, but
in Rockhampton, people are always so
friendly and talk to me, asking where I
am from and what my life has been like.
We are actually a peaceful culture, and
wish to live with other people without
fighting, without tension and without
conflict. I think finally we have found
that place in Rockhampton.
This week I do the cleaning and Ali
does the cooking. We share to make it
easier for us. We all miss our wives I think.
What I have found in Rockhampton
is freedom. I can be myself, talk to who
I want to, and go where I want. There
is a feeling I have here like anything is
possible.
Although I am so happy here, I still do
worry about my family at home. I lodged
my humanitarian sponsorship application
for my family 2 years ago, but nothing has
happened. Recently I lodged a spouse visa
also, so I hope that is approved soon. I
miss them so much.
“
Today is my day to clean the
house. We all take turns doing the
”
different jobs to help out.
SETTLEMENT WORKS | STORIES FROM ROCKHAMPTON 7