Road to Refuge: In My Own Words

Amplifying refugee voices

By Thomas Feng

December 17^th, 2019

Road to Refuge

Road to Refuge has a special place in my heart.

As their Communications Director for two years, I used my skills to provide a platforms for refugee voices to shape mainstream discourse: on their terms and in their words.

In 2017, I helped bring an art exhibition from Sydney into the heart of Melbourne at Federation Square, which explored the strength, resilience and hope of people from refugee backgrounds and people seeking asylum, in their words. I met Tina and Renee, two tireless advocates working hard to ensure queer identities are included in refugee advocacy, and to challenge stereotypes on who "refugees" are.

In 2018, we created "Meet Fadak", Australia's first refugee-led speaking tour around the country. We crowd-funded $10,000 and worked with Fadak closely to literally thrust her into the national spotlight, with features on ABC, SBS and VICE. Her story has reached hundreds of thousands of Australians, and it will continue to do so.

Road to Refuge fundamentally believes successful social movements are led by the people affected most by the issues, and so the refugee movement needs a new wave of leaders to spark change in a broken, punitive and inhumane Australian border control system.

In My Own Words

When I left, Road to Refuge was about to embark on its next chapter.

Through our advocacy, we met Jeanine Hourani, an intelligent and enigmatic advocate who wanted to develop the storytelling skills of young creatives of refugee backgrounds. And that is how the In My Own Words program started.

"We need to transfer the power of the narrative to those most directly impacted." - Jeanine

I was thrilled to be invited to take photographs of their launch (although I was about to find out that my wrist was broken!).

Akuol

Akuol Garang shared her story of growing up in a refugee camp in Kenya and how it was such a simple and fun time in her life. Despite the lack of electricity, clean water, internet, adequate healthcare and more, they were the best ten years of her life.

"I want to go back." - Akuol

These words speak such truth to power around how Australians in this toxic political environment have failed to make people feel welcome. We have built barriers, turned our hearts away, and lost the ability to embrace people coming from different places.

Taj

Taj Aldeeb shared her story of being an actor and singer, and how her lived experience of being a refugee in the arts meant having to either relive trauma, dramatise trauma, or have directors and producers who failed to listen to her story in creating characters which gave the real, nuanced understanding of who a "refugee" is.

She is determined to succeed, and I look forward to seeing how far she goes.

Lujayn

Lujayn Hourani shared their original writing on homeland.

They captivated the crowd with their poignant vignettes weaving their experiences and stories of growing up, of their mother, of mundane life in Melbourne together.

They have already established themselves as a must-read writer to follow.

Black Orchid Stringband

The night was finished by a performance from the Black Orchid Stringband, a group of West Papuan freedom fighters who play traditional songs with traditional instruments.

The passion, the soul and the calling for freedom and solidarity with people in a place ravaged by war, greed and conflict was powerful.

A powerful night of solidarity

Road to Refuge always bring a unique crowd together, and this event was no different. The whole north-side of Melbourne turned out with great interest for the cause.

Despite the hall itself not having fun lights, the entrance and the backrooms had stunning LED coloured lights, which made for fun portraits with lovely humans.

The A Team

Road to Refuge is powered by a team volunteers who dedicate their time, energy and skills to an important cause. I look forward to seeing how the "In My Own Words" continues to grow, and where Road to Refuge takes its next steps as new opportunities continue to emerge.