New life in a new homeland

Published 19 June 2020

Salam Qaro is an uncomfortable ambassador for Refugee Week. He no longer considers himself a refugee, but an Australian resident, and the recent birth of his first child sends roots down deeper into the soil of his new homeland.

"Our baby's name is Sama, which means 'sky' in Ezidi language," says Salam.

"I want Sama to grow up learning English and Ezidi language. I want her to be like Australian people, to do everything she wants. She will be safe and she will have a future here ... We don't think we are refugees here; we are part of this beautiful country now. We are part of this community. It is our new home."

Salam and wife Fyral arrived in Armidale from northern Iraq on 9 July last year, on the crest of a wave of Ezidis welcomed under the government refugee resettlement program. More than 600 Ezidi people - members of an ancient ethnic minority - have now found a safe haven in the city and are building lives far removed from the horrors of ISIS persecution.

"It was very difficult back in my country; it was very dangerous for us," Salam says. "When ISIS attacked Sinjar Mountain six years ago, my two uncles and their families were kidnapped.

We bought their wives and kids back for US$5000, but we still don't have any news of my uncles.

"More than 7000 people from the Ezidi community were killed and 3000 kidnapped in the ISIS genocide."

Arriving in Armidale soon after Salam's parents, two brothers and sister, Salam and Fyral embraced their new life with vigour. In just 10 months, thanks in part to the Higher Education Pathways and Participation Program (HEPPP) Ezidi project, in collaboration with the English Language Centre (ELC) at the University of New England, Salam has learnt to speak and write English proficiently.

He also credits his initial attendance at TAFE, "listening to the radio and television, reading and writing every day". Volunteer jobs and casual roles as an interpreter have helped him to progress rapidly.

"The seven weeks in the HEPPP-sponsored ELC program was very, very useful," Salam says. "It helped me to learn new words and taught me how to have a conversation with other people. I have learned many, many words from my neighbours. The HEPPP ELC certificate was also helpful when I applied for jobs."

Salam worries for his two brothers and their families still in Iraq, but the two remaining brothers that make up his large family are living happily in Germany.

The promise of a bright future

A psychology graduate from Mosul University, Salam plans to apply to study for his Masters in Psychology at UNE. He recently started a new job as a support worker with Settlement Services International, a community-based, not-for-profit organisation that supports new Australians. "I will help other Ezidi people settle down in this beautiful country," he says.

For now he is intent on working hard and saving money to buy a house.

And as soon as they can, the couple intend to apply for the Australian citizenship that will be Sama's birthright.

"We were very happy to come to Armidale," Salam says. "No-one had a future back in my country. Here, everyone has a future, and can learn a new culture and new language. That is so great.

"All people in Armidale smile to us and ask how they can help us. In Australia we feel safe ... Thank you very much to everyone who has helped us."