NEW HOME, NEW START
RAAD Khaddadh sheltered his wife and two sons through the horrors of Islamic State – now he wants them to enjoy a new life here in Toowoomba.
The Yazidi family from Iraq has been here for 15 months, discovering the challenges and opportunities that come with moving to a new country.
Their story is the first in The Chronicle’s “New Home, New Beginnings” series, put together with the help of Catholic-Care TRAMS.
I’M FOCUSING ON MY FAMILY AND TRYING TO FORGET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO US.
RAAD KHADDADH
The Chronicle is profiling refugee families from different walks of life, and discussing the opportunities and challenges that come with a fresh start in Toowoomba. The first instalment, presented in collaboration with organisation CatholicCare TRAMS, features the Khaddadh family from Iraq.
BEFORE arriving in Australia and settling in Toowoomba, Raad Khaddadh remembers trying to fit his family into a 2x3 metre caravan as they fled Iraq from genocide by Islamic State.
Their plight is shared by many other Yazidis, which is an ancient ethno-religious minority separate from Islam or Christianity.
Mr Khaddadh, his wife Khatoon and sons Ammar and Dilovan were among those forced to flee from Islamic State in 2014 because of religious persecution.
“My (financial) situation was very high and my income was very high - everything was ok for us (before ISIS),” he explained through an interpreter.
“I was the owner of three trucks in Iraq and I worked in agriculture and construction.
“My work was from 6am to 12pm, and the fees for these jobs were $150 every day. It was a good income.”
Mr Khaddadh said ISIS stole everything from him, and his extended family suffered as well.
“All my trucks, all my cars, ISIS stole it all. My family and I left our city for another place with a small car,” he said.
“My brother’s (location) is unknown. Many relatives I don’t know where they are in Iraq.
“It’s very upsetting for all Yazidi families living here, not just myself.”
The family has now been resettled in Toowoomba for about 15 months, following an intake of displaced Yazidis by the Australian Government.
Mr Khaddadh described the first two months as the hardest, but has gradually been settling in.
He finds the English language difficult to learn at his age, though he has managed to grasp basic greetings and pleasantries.
“(The first two months) were very difficult because we didn’t know anything or anyone,” he said.
“The most difficult thing in my life is the language. I’m already using YouTube every time to learn English, but it’s still hard for me.”
Mr Khaddadh’s eldest son Ammar has been excelling in primary school in Toowoomba, and has even been coaching his father on English.
“(My sons) are going to school and they already know English better than me,” he joked.
“Ammar is really useful for me during my studies in English. I will try to speak in English and Ammar will correct me and show me how to say things.
“Regarding Ammar, he is the top student in his class.”
The family works with nongovernment organisation CatholicCare TRAMS to help become more integrated into Australian society, following an initial introduction through MDA.
Mr Khaddadh praised TRAMS for the support it had given to him, especially in trying to find work.
“TRAMS has helped us with many things, such as advice on looking for jobs and any help with the schools. Any problems, the case worker will help us,” he said.
But finding employment has been a source of frustration for the normally hard-working Mr Khaddadh, who said he was a capable driver and had experience in agriculture.
He hoped Australian employers would look at taking him on as not just a problem, but an opportunity.
“Regarding my goals next year, the most important thing is to find a job or work,” he said.
“JobActive is helping me to get a license for driving trucks, but I need to volunteer (at a worksite) to show I can drive trucks.
“I am already a good driver. If I start in a job, my English will improve faster.”
And what keeps Mr Khaddadh striving for a better future?
“I’m focusing on my family and trying to forget everything that has been done to us,” he said.