SETTLING into the Perth community can be daunting for African immigrants and refugees – battling depression, finding employment and understanding the education system are some of the challenges they face.
A group of compassionate Africans who have overcome hardship, and now live happily in suburbs such as Yokine, are helping them make the transition a little easier.
The group founded The African Australian Union (AAU) to give immigrants and refugees the tools they need to assimilate into the Australian way of life.
Union secretary Aaron Sawmadal, of Yokine, and chairman Gbogbah Tarr, of Gosnells, faced many difficulties when they came to Perth, and are now eager to share their experience and wisdom.
Mr Tarr travelled to Australia as a refugee with his wife, Dekontee, four years ago.
He said Perth was a long way from the refugee camps of a war-torn West African country.
“It’s not just the physical distance that we had to travel. The cultural distance between our old society and our new home has been a big challenge for us,” Mr Tarr said.
“I have been most fortunate to have had good support from the Australian community but many other African refugees find cultural differences in their new home make it difficult for them to settle into Australian society.”
When Mr Sawmadal arrived in Australia three years ago, his main challenge was gaining tertiary education.
He said many African people faced the same problem because they didn’t understand how the Australian education system worked and consequently they often gave up on furthering their crucial schooling.
Helping fellow Africans grasp the education system is one of the AAU’s top priorities along with solving family issues and promoting recreational activities between Africans and Australians.
“The group also hopes that Australians will join to learn about the African culture so that they can understand and support new African arrivals to settle into life in their new home,” Mr Tarr said.
“We don’t want to be spectators in our new country; we want to give back to the community that has given us a new home.”
The AAU has an office in Beaufort Street, Perth.
Call Mr Tarr on 0431 625 744 or email afriaussi_union@hotmail.com.