Light shines on refugees’ plight

BRUTUKAN Melkamu was just 10 years old when she was tricked into leaving her homeland, Ethiopia, and taken to Kenya.

Within days of her arrival in Kenya’s Embu County, Ms Melkamu, now 20, was forced into servitude by the woman who plucked her from her family.

For two years she did not attend school at all.

“I was doing all the house chores ... she was very cruel,” Ms Melkamu said.

When she was 13 years old, Ms Melkamu testified in court against the woman on child trafficking charges.

She tried to return home to find her family but was unable to do so. Instead, she decided to focus on her education, spending four years at a Kenyan boarding school.

When she turned 18, the sponsorship for her schooling finished.

Last year, Ms Melkamu, finally recognised as a refugee, arrived in Hobart where she is preparing to study sociology at the University of Tasmania.

Refugee Week ends today and will be celebrated at Lan- terns for Peace at the Cornelian Bay foreshore from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. People can add a message of hope and welcome for refugees before the illuminated lanterns are cast from the shore at dusk. Read Ms Melkamu’s story in today’s edition of TasWeekend.