KORUMBURRA residents and members of the Burra Welcome Committee are passionate about welcoming a Syrian refugee family to the community in 2023.
This is through a pilot program launched by the federal Community Refugee Integration and Settlement program (CRISP).
The pilot sponsorship program offers a way for concerned Australians to help refugees successfully settle and integrate into local communities and members Maxine Urquhart, Marika Sosnowski, Karen Walker, Sarah Kerwick and Laura Muranty are passionate about opening their hearts to help others.
“Up until now, refugees have been solely reliant on government-led resettlement programs, however, with the support of Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA), everyday Australians can now be part of creating life changing opportunities for disadvantaged refugees,” said Laura.
Committee member Marika Sosnowski, who is an academic on Syria and an Arabic speaker explained where her motivation to start the group came from.
“As part of my work I have visited Syrians of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds living in refugee camps and in the community in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey,” said Marika.
“While all of them try their best to live with dignity, the conditions they find themselves in, through no fault of their own, are harsh. In camps they live in makeshift shelters, are subjected to very hot summers and cold winters, with few amenities or services.”
“Even when they are able to live in the community, refugees are faced with restrictive work rights, little chance to get ahead or make a better life for their children, and are often victims of violence and racism from members of their host community."
Group member, Sarah Kerwick, who is a local social worker and has also lived and worked in Syria said there will be some initial challenges for us and the sponsored refugee family, such as finding them permanent accommodation in the current rental crisis, navigating Centrelink, and enrolling them in English courses and school.
“We are all committed to making the one-year settlement program a success and know that we can greatly improve the lives of a Syrian refugee family,” said Sarah.
The group of five driven women, who make up the Burra Welcome Committee, have been working diligently to raise the funds needed to effectively resettle a family. However, to meet all financial expectations, they need further community support.
Laura Muranty, who is a schoolteacher and cultural liaison at Mary Mackillop College, commented on some of the initial outlaying costs the group have been raising funds for.
She said their initial goal right now is $10,000, as “we are going to need at least three to four months of rent covered, so that the family have time to access Centrelink support and employment.”
“We need to furnish their home and provide them with enough financial support to transition them comfortably, with access to health and education. At the moment we have proudly raised $2,700 through donations in kind,” said Laura.
Although the sponsorship program relies heavily on the five core members of the group to complete all government checks and training, complete all documentation, and facilitate integration into the community, there has also been an outpour of support from likeminded people wanting to do their part by generously offering money, furniture, food, time and advice.
The committee believe the refugee family will be warmly welcomed into the community and will in turn be an asset to the wonderful town.
The Burra Welcome Committee appreciate any support through offers of temporary accommodation or monetary donations to the official funding site, which will help provide for basic living essentials. https://shoutforgood.com/fundraisers/burrawelcomecommittee
For more information on this initiative or if you would like to contribute in other ways, please contact Laura Muranty at lauramuranty@gmail.com