An Hazara Afghani family of four will soon arrive in Bendigo via the Australian Government’s Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Program Pilot (CRISP).
The family who fled to Iran after the Taliban offensive of 2021 will arrive in Australia on 24 June 2024. To help this couple with two school-aged sons settle into their new life, RAR Bendigo is seeking a rental property to prepare for their arrival. Ideally, RAR Bendigo hopes to lease a two - or three-bedroom unit or house in Kangaroo Flat, or Golden Square at a market rate rent of up to $400 per week.
As one of the children is of primary school age and the other child of high school age, RAR Bendigo’s CRISP Community Support Group thinks it would be logistically better for the children to attend schools in close proximity to each other, such as Kangaroo Flat Primary School and Crusoe College. Hence, they are seeking housing for the family in Kangaroo Flat or Golden Square.
This is the fourth family Rural Australians for Refugees (RAR) Bendigo, in partnership with the Hazara Community of Bendigo, has sponsored since the Pilot commenced in 2022.
The first Hazara Afghani family to settle in Bendigo on the CRISP Program, sponsored by RAR Bendigo and the Bendigo’s Hazara Community, arrived in September 2022. Since then, RAR Bendigo and the Hazara Community of Bendigo have sponsored two other Hazara families under the CRISP Program.
Alice McClure, RAR Bendigo CRISP Support Group Coordinator says the three families already in Bendigo are adjusting well to their new life and she is proud of all they have achieved in the short time they have been in the town.
Alice says it’s delightful to see the progress of the six children, (two from each of the three families) who are attending five different schools across Bendigo. “Their confidence is notably growing as their English improves and activities such as soccer and art help with that too,” says Alice.
While the children attend school, their parents continue to attend English lessons at TAFE, and are advancing through the language competency levels. “They are always keen to practise their English with people they meet,” says Alice.
The adults in the families are all working towards independence. Two of the adults now have construction white cards and three adults are very active on their donated sewing machines and overlockers.
All three families now have a car, three adults now have a probationary Victorian Driver Licence, and two adults are taking driving lessons, thanks to the community efforts of the Old Church on the Hill.
“We are very grateful for the support of the wider Bendigo Community who have assisted with so many things, and to our Support group members who have accompanied these families on their journey,” says Alice.
John Murphy, member of RAR Bendigo says the Hazara families are incredibly grateful for the welcome they have received in Bendigo. “People have volunteered to escort our new arrivals to medical appointments, to driving tests, and assisted with all sorts of practical tasks … It’s not only great for our new arrivals, but it is also rewarding for our volunteers.”
“Through the CRISP Program, RAR Bendigo agrees to support the families for one year,” says John. “Having said that, over that twelve months friendships are formed, and we find people are helping each other in the way friends do,” says John. As John Murphy sees it, the CRISP Program gives refugee families a hand up and, in the process, gives regional and rural Australians an authentic way to stand in solidarity with refugees, and see the world from a different perspective. In doing so, their own lives become more enriched.
Seeking Property for Lease:
If you have a property for rent, or can be of assistance in some way, please contact John Murphy, member of the CRISP Sponsorship Group of RAR Bendigo. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
