I am a Hazara woman;I was born and raised in Kabul. There are very few Hazara people in this city as the other tribes have been trying for centuries to get rid of us.
All the good land and jobs were given to them while the Hazara's were forced into the rugged mountains. There is not one family in Afghanistan that has escaped the catastrophe of 23 years of war. I have lost a sister, 2 brothers, my parents, and several brothers -in -law to war.Those that did survive fled their homes and lost all their possessions. My home was destroyed when a bomb landed on it. My niece was sitting outside the house when it happened and was killed.

"My home was destroyed when a bomb landed on it. My niece was sitting outside the house when it happened and was killed"
   I have also been denied an education and was not allowed to work or even leave the house. Even if I could I wouldn't want to for fear of rape and the penalty of death that would come with this if I became pregnant. Even though my husband worked very long hours as a mechanic it was hard to survive because the Taliban never paid him for his services. One day they accused him of going against them, he was sent to jail.  

I knew that my family was not safe so I escaped with my children. We came to Australia in a very small boat with many strangers. Even though I was in Australia I still felt unsafe. I couldn't sleep for fear that the Taliban would track me down and bring us back to Afghanistan or worse, kill us. I got through my terrible situation with the help of the Fitzroy Learning Network who introduced me to many people and brought comfort to my life, something I had not felt in a long time. The Network has helped me rebuild my life by arranging clothes and furniture but most importantly accommodation.

Now my children are free to be whatever they choose. My daughter is very intelligent and wants to become a doctor and my son wants to be anengineer. They really love the Network; it is like another home to them. Here I can talk and laugh with my friends and forget all my problems. My dream is to be a tram driver and I think it is possible because in Australia no one will care that I am a woman.

"I got through my terrible situation
with the help of the Fitzroy Learning Network who introduced me to many
people and brought comfort to my life, something I had not felt in a long time"

NAME CHANGED TO MAINTAIN ANONIMITY
 
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