Our Faces, Our Stories - Stockland

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Ephranc DoMy journeyIwas born on 6 February 1994at Que Ka Loke refugee campin the west of Thailand. Afew years later my family wasforced to move to Maela refugeecamp after the Burmese soldiersinvaded and destroyed our home.Life in the refugee camp wasvery difficult. We did not haveelectricity to use and our housewas built using wood and palmfronds. The Thai soldiers compoundhad barbed wire aroundthe camp, and sometimes weweren’t allowed to go outside ofthe camp grounds.When I was a child I never wantedto go outside of the camp becausemy parents told me it wasextremely dangerous. I was alwaysscared and worried that theBurmese soldiers would comeand destroy our home again.While living at Maela camp, mydad built a new primary schooland started teaching. At theschool we did not have books,stationary or any learning aides.We could not study at home becausewe did not have electricityand we could only use candlesfor night study.In 2005, I went to live with my unclewho had Thai citizenship. Hetook care of me and enrolled meto study at a Thai school. I studiedat the school for two yearswhere I met a lot of new friends.I learnt many new things, includingThai and English languages,computer skills and the history ofThailand. I also played a lot ofsoccer when I was there. I wasselected for the school team andwe played against other schools.Sometimes, on the weekends,I went to visit my family at thecamp, and during the 2006school holidays, I visited Bangkokwith my cousin and we wentto many different places.In 2007 the UNHCR gave therefugees a chance to apply fora visa. My parents sent an applicationto live Australia. In July2008, my family received thegood news and got the opportunityto migrate to Australia.On 23 July 2008, my family andI arrived in Australia as migrants.We set up home in a town housein Mount Druitt and I startedschool at Blacktown High School.After three months we moved toFairfield Heights to be closer tothe Karen Community in Sydneyand I started school at FairfieldHigh School. For the first year Iwas in the Intensive English Centrewhere I developed my Englishskills.Now, I live in Fairfield Heightswith my family and I’m studyingYear 10 at Fairfield High School.When I finish Year 12, I will go toTAFE and try my best to achievemy goals.When I’m not at school I spendmy time playing soccer andhanging out with my friends.10
My motherKong HuynhMost of all the otherbeautiful things in lifecome by twos andthrees, by dozens andhundreds. Plenty of roses, stars,sunsets, rainbows, brothers andsister, comrades and friends –but there is only one mother inthe whole world.I was born in Can Tho City in1992. Can Tho was a very poorcity, however my family was welloff as my grandpa had many cultivatedlands. We used to hirefarmers to work on the fields andwe earned money from sellingour products.My father was the fifth son in thefamily. He studied at university inSai Gon City for four years andhoped he would find a good job.Many graduates couldn’t get jobsas the government changed fromrepublic to communism. After awhile, my dad gave up looking fora job and came back to Can ThoCity.After my dad returned my parentshad another child. My mumdid needle works so she couldbuy milk for my sister. My motherwas just earning 1000VND (fivecents) for fixing one shirt. It wasa hard time for her. My dad juststayed at home and did not work.My grandpa was a very good andkind man. My mother said hehelped and did a lot of things forher; however my grandma wasvery hard on her. She only gavemy mother enough money to buy1kg of meat per week to feed tenpeople. My mother had to fry itwith a lot of salt, so you had toeat it with a lot of rice and it didn’ttaste very nice. This was a difficulttime for my mother. She toldme that story in tears.My mother continued to live withmy grandparents until I was twoyears old. After five years, mymother went to Sai Gon City tolive with her aunt. We all lived ina dormitory for students in polytechnics.My mother also helpedher aunt to keep the students’bikes. My mother worked from5am to 12am seven days a weekto earn nine hundred thousandVND (fifty six dollars) per month.Two years later, my sister, motherand I moved in with my maternalgrandmother and her brother inher uncle’s house. It was a bighouse and I had everything Ineeded to study. My mother continuedto work for her aunt, butshe tried to find another job soshe didn’t have to work so long.She left home when I was asleepand came home at midnight. Iwas very young, but I wanted toget work to help my mother so Icould spend more time with her.This life was too hard for our family.At this time, my maternal grandmothertook care of me and mysister with the support of mymother. My maternal grandmotherused my mother’s money tobuy yoghurt for me and my sisterevery weekend. One day mymother’s brother got angry over amisunderstanding about food andpunched my mother very hard. Iwas so angry I took a big stickand hit him. He kicked me hard,broke my bones and I had to stayin hospital for two weeks. Eventhough I was in pain, I was happybecause my mother stayed in thehospital with me.After I got home from hospital,I studied very hard and got thehighest marks in many subjects.I found that I had an interest inbuildings; I decided I want to bean architect. I am trying my bestin Maths so that I can becomeone.In 2009, my family came to Australiawith the support of my stepdad.I feel very happy to live here.My mother has done a lot ofthings for me and now it is timefor me to help her. I love you verymuch mymother, youare the bestmother in thisgalaxy.11
Page 1 and 2: Our Faces,Our StoriesStockland and
Page 3 and 4: A message from StocklandStockland i
Page 5 and 6: My storyHowra Al-BadriSuccess is th
Page 7 and 8: My journeyHieu BuiMy name is Hieu a
Page 9: My lifeAiah DaudaMy name is Aiah Da
Page 13 and 14: Music tomy earsRoumeel KhoshabaMusi
Page 15 and 16: My storyMari SalahMy name is Mari S
Page 17 and 18: Grains of goldSerey TeaMy name is S
Page 19 and 20: Khmer pridePituodemongtero UngMy na
Page 21 and 22: My storyEsho YoukhannaIwas born in
Page 23 and 24: Thank youMentorsAmanda MurphyAmanda

Our Faces, Our Stories - Stockland

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?