The Family MF Circle (Circle 129) supports a refugee family, now permanent residents, who were reunited in November 2024. The father arrived at Christmas Island in 2012 and it has taken 12 years to bring his wife and 4 children to Adelaide thanks to pro bono legal work and to donors and assistance from other Circles.
Circle 129 supported the family when they were desperately unsafe in Pakistan and Afghanistan. During that time they each survived trauma and poor health.
In Adelaide they are building new lives – the young adults are enrolled in Thebarton Senior College and TAFE after years of being denied education. They are all high achievers with sights firmly set on tertiary studies.
The father had an industrial accident and is severely incapacitated. His wife has an injury which is operable. Another adult child has Type 1 diabetes which is proving difficult to manage.
The family is also highly anxious about MF’s mother who remains in Kabul. She has always lived with them but she was not eligible for inclusion in the reunion visas.
A small number of Aussies, having met MF, admire his integrity and graciousness and his commitment to his family across the years of separation. One of his priorities was always the education of his daughters and son. Gradually the family is working towards better health and three are studying and looking for work in the western and north-western suburbs.
Currently they are living only on a single pension and need to live very frugally. Three people have already passed their L licence test but they cannot afford lessons.
Donors can assist to make huge improvements to the family’s (or individuals) situation by contributing towards school enrolment fees, Metrocards, supermarket shopping, personal care items and driving tuition. You can make a single or repeating donation to this Circle via our secure GiveNow page – be sure to reference Family MF Circle (Circle 129) when making the donation.
To find out more about how your donation can help please contact Lesley Walker, Convenor of Family MF Circle (129), on 0418 829 941 or by email.