Our Faces, Our Stories - Stockland

Rania KanaanMy family storyMy family’s story is thestory of my travelsfrom Iraq to Australia.I was born in the city ofBasra, Iraq in 1990 and grew upin a large and loving home withmy parents, four brothers andthree sisters.In 1996 I started going to school.My first day of kindergarten wasexciting, but scary, I was soscared, I was crying, but I soongot used to it. In 1997 I startedprimary school and studied hardfor six years. My reward for myhard studies was the ability tospeak three different languages.These are Chaldean, Arabic andEnglish.When I finished primary schoolin 2003, the war started in Iraqand we had to stay home all daybecause it was very dangerous.This upset me because I enjoyedschool and was not allowed to go.12Later that year, we received someexciting news that my sister wasgetting married in my family village,Telskouf, and we were ableto go to the wedding.One day in 2004, a terrible eventoccurred that made us decide toleave our homeland, Iraq. Whilstone of my brothers was walkingto the shop from our house, acar pulled over, two men jumpedout, dragged him into the carand drove off. They demandeda large ransom in return for mybrother. My parents were forcedto pay this money to get mybrother back home safely. Wehad no other choice, but to makethe decision to leave Iraq.In 2005 my family moved to Lebanon.Life was difficult there. Iloved my studies, but as I had towork to help my family I missedthree years of schooling. Mybrothers and sisters also workedduring this difficult time.We missed our life in Iraq and listenedto the news every day as itwas the only way we could findout what was happening in ourhome country.My parents wanted a better futurefor our family and decidedto apply for asylum in Australia.In 2007 we were accepted to migrateto Australia, and we arrivedin Australia on the 3 July 2008.I was grateful and happy to beable to continue my studies inthis country. Now, I am a studentat Fairfield High School and havemany friends here.I feel comfortable, safe and happyto be in Australia. It gives methe opportunity to expand myEnglish language through mystudies at Fairfield High School,and socialising with people in myneighbourhood. As much as Imiss and love my country, I findcomfort in knowing that I havea bright future ahead of me, ina wonderful country I now callhome.