Avishka’s story – an asylum seeker journey

With International Women’s Day around the corner, it was an honour to speak with Avishka* to hear about her triumphs, and how she has remained steadfast despite the many trials and tribulations she encountered on her journey to build a brighter future for her family.

Every day, Avishka and other asylum seeker families like hers face the uncertainty of whether they can remain in Australia, often remaining on bridging visas for over 10 years.

Avishka arrived in Australia in 2013 after fleeing conflict in her home country, with her husband and two sons. Looking to create a new, safe future together, they moved in with her husband’s family. But the life they were looking to create was not to be.

After several years, Avishka’s husband became controlling and violent. This not only scared Avishka but also her sons, and she knew she had to make the life-changing decision to get away.

Avishka and her sons moved to and from multiple houses over the next few months – all small one-bedroom properties – and was unable to work with her youngest son aged three.

“Eventually, I worked at a restaurant. One, two, three hours working. My older one looked after my youngest son more. I went hospital three/two times, for my blood pressure going high,” says Avishka.

The stress of providing for her two boys, keeping a roof over their head, and ensuring they have the opportunities to study and engage with school, was becoming too overwhelming for Avishka.

Thankfully, Avishka was referred to our Asylum Seeker Support Program team who, thanks to the generosity of our supporters, have been able to offer support to her and her family.

“They are really good people,” says Avishka, referring to her CCV case workers.

“They help me with rent and, food vouchers and supported me to do a food handling course. Then, I got food handling certificate and now I am working at aged care house, in kitchen.”

With support from our donors, our team helped Avishka find a safe and stable home where her children could grow and thrive. We provided furniture vouchers so they could purchase essentials – beds, mattresses, and a study desk to give her children a place to learn and dream.

But the generosity of our donors didn’t just put a roof over their heads – it helped pave the way for a brighter future. With our assistance, Avishka’s eldest son was awarded a scholarship – his mother’s lifelong dream for him.

“It’s been my mother’s dream since I was very young,” he shares. “She wanted me to study Engineering, and CatholicCare made that possible for us.”

For Avishka, this moment is everything. “I am relieved because my older one is finishing school. He’s going to university. This was my dream—to give them good studies, good things,” she says.

And the transformation doesn’t stop there.

“CatholicCare helped us. Little by little, I am becoming stronger. I can’t believe my past – I was in a small house with no money. Now, I can manage rent. I can take care of my children. CatholicCare always tells you, ‘You can. You have.’” 

Our Asylum Seeker Support program provides supported housing and practical help to asylum seeker families and individuals, depending on their individual needs and regardless of their religious belief. Read more here: Asylum Seeker Support.

*At CatholicCare Victoria, we respect everyone who comes to us for help. Names and images have been changed to protect clients’ privacy.