ART WITH COURAGE AT HEART
WHEN Mahjouba Habbad moved to Australia from Morocco she knew little English.
She left behind her family, friends and the country she knew to start a life with her husband on the Gold Coast three years ago. She was nervous, shy and lonely.
“When I came here I tried to learn English and communicate with people – it was a little bit hard in the beginning,” she said. “I missed my family and I was lonely.”
But thanks to a program for refugee and migrant women on the Gold Coast Ms Habbad is confident, has friends and is applying for jobs in aged care.
The 3Es to Freedom program led by Anglicare helps these women form their lives through education, employment and empowerment.
Participants are taught everything from their rights in Australia to how to swim.
The troubles they faced and the skills they’ve gained will be displayed in an art exhibition at Helensvale Cultural Centre, opening tonight and running until May 3.
More than 40 women are involved in the Stories to Freedom exhibition. Their journeys include being refugees and facing trauma in camps before coming to Australia on protection visas.
3Es to Freedom Gold Coast co-ordinator Kesti Faulkner said: “It’s giving an overview of what our program offers and raises awareness these women are more than what you see. They’re people like you and I and I hope once people see the exhibition it’ll give them a chance with work.”
The exhibition will feature two films, a series of photographs and Wings of Freedom artwork.
Southern Cross University has been a part of documenting the program.
For Lia Amaliah, from Indonesia, the best thing she learnt was how to believe in herself.
“They gave us confidence – sometimes we only know our weaknesses, not our strengths,” she said.
“When I came here my English wasn’t too good, so I was afraid to talk to anybody.”
But now she has found a home on the Coast.
“I love the beaches and the parks – it’s beautiful,” she said. “And I love the people.”