The Face to Face with a Refugee Experience – An Intellectual Engagement event was hosted by UOW Human Geography Society (HuGS) and UOW Golden Key Society.

SCARF is a volunteer-based community organisation that provides support to refugees by creating connections and generating opportunities to build a sense of belonging, promote social and economic inclusion and empowers individuals and families to lead independent lives.

It does has done that over the last decade with the help of many refugees who volunteer to help others who have experienced similar journeys to them. During the last 10 years SCARF has helped more than 1000 people with refugee backgrounds from 14 countries. But providing so many services, programs and activities would not have been possible for SCARF without the generosity of more than 700 volunteers.

People such as Ghada Al Hussein and Ahmad Al Taleb, of Syria, and Burhan Zangana, of Iraq, have helped many newer arrivals. All three have made a contribution to the local community and publicly thanked SCARF and Wollongong for helping them

On Wednesday they shared their stories to more than 50 people in an event designed to be interactive, thought provoking and powerful. Event organiser and SCARF Volunteer Community Educator Sophie-May Kerr said her first insight into the refugee experience was during a first year Human Geography subject.

“I remember being shocked by the sheer number of displaced people around the world. After learning more about the issue and trying to understand its complexity, I decided I wanted to be able to do something. I first became involved in SCARF through the UOW Golden Key Society. I took on the role of a home tutor to a primary school student and spending time with her and her Burmese family has been an incredibly enlightening experience. I wanted to use these skills in communication and teaching to facilitate an opportunity for people in the community to understand the complexity of the refugee experience. And more importantly, to communicate the message that refugees are ordinary people – who have been faced with extraordinary circumstances. Being a refugee is part of their experience but it does not define who they are,” she said.

Ms Kerr said listening to people from a refugee background share their personal stories she was continually inspired by their strength and resilience. “These are messages we need to share”.

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