New land, new hope
WORDS and PHOTO Liz Lillis
The Refugee Sanctuary movement in Australia
is continuing to grow,
as Catholic parishes reach out to people in strife-torn
countries across the globe.
Just over 18 months ago, Albert Ankipi and his family were in Uganda
and their hope was fading. Their joy at passing the medical examinations
and receiving a Special Humanitarian 202 Visa to Australia was tempered
by the fact that they somehow had to raise enough money to travel to
the country before that visa expired.
However, a loan from a group of Catholic parishioners in Perth saved
the day.
‘I was so happy when I found out we could come to Australia. I had nearly
given up all hope’, says Albert.
Albert, his wife Suzana, children Denis (20), Nereus (18), Emmanuel (17),
Clementine (15) and Fortunato (13) arrived in Perth in April 2005 with
help from the newly formed West Coast Refugee Sanctuary Group (WCRSG).
The group was first formed as a registered charity in February 2005,
with donations from All Saints Parish in Greenwood, Perth, and from patrons
Fred and Angela Chaney.
Inspired after reading stories of similar groups on the east coast of
Australia in the Spring 2004 edition of Australian Catholics,
the parishioners, encouraged by parish priest Vincent Conroy, decided
they could also do something to assist refugees in coming to Australia.
The Australian government offers 7,000 Special Humanitarian Visas each
year to people living outside their home country who have experienced
substantial discrimination amounting to gross violation of human rights
in their home country.
These are the lucky ones; however, even those who get a visa need to
raise the fare to come to Australia. This fare is the responsibility
of the visa proposer. ‘It’s like winning lotto and being
unable to collect the prize for many whose proposer can’t get the
funds’, says group member Jim Benson.
In Albert’s case, the proposer was extended family member Bakhita
Sino. The no-interest loan they received was enough to help Bakhita ensure
Albert and his family could take advantage of the visa.
It’s been a long journey for Albert and his family. Albert fled
Sudan in 1994 to avoid being forced to join the rebel army and was reunited
with his family in a refugee camp in Uganda. They stayed in the camp
for seven months, before leaving for Uganda’s capital Kampala.
That was to be their home for the next 10 years.
Adjusting to life in Australia has been challenging. Albert says he is
proud of how his children are adapting. Denis is now employed part-time
at a local hamburger restaurant and the others are doing well at school.
Suzana said she has made friends in Australia and is adjusting to running
a household in a new country. She is taking advantage of the free English
classes provided as part of visa conditions.
‘I thank God every day for the opportunity for a new life in Australia
for my family,’ says Albert.
‘Food, accommodation and feeling safe… I’ve even gained
some weight,’ he jokes.
Since Bakhita and WCRSG chairman Stan Kilpin welcomed the Ankipis at
Perth Airport, a further 19 families have been assisted by the group.
‘We have now assisted over 100 people to come out to Australia,’ said
group member Trevor Carleton.
Refugees assisted by the group are primarily from the African region.
The group are a little surprised at the number of people they have helped
in less than 18 months, by simply providing a no-interest loan. They
have not set a target for the number of people to be assisted but hope
further donations will help them continue.
Trevor said the loan recipients are keen to repay, being aware the funds
will then assist others with 202 Visa status to come to Australia.
Find out more about the West Coast Refugee Sanctuary Group at
http://www.sanctuarywa.com.au
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