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Hamid is 20 years old and Nelofar is 21.

They arrived in Australia in February this year. This would be the first time they had seen their mother since 2000. Through an interpreter, Shafiqa expressed her feelings about being re-united with her children.

“This is my only wish, to be with my children again. I cannot even express my happiness in words.” shares Shafiqa.“I am also looking forward to being with my mother again –I am hoping to sponsor her to come to Australia as a refugee too.”

The Link asked Shafiqa if it costs money to sponsor a relative to come to Australia. She answered, “There is no application fee but I had to pay for my children's airplane fares. I borrowed money from my friends and also $500 from Centrelink, which I will pay back. Now I don't care about the money I owe,I am just happy to have my children here.I am thankful to those Australian people who have supported refugees in getting permanent visas.I am also thankful to the volunteer lawyers from the Refugee Immigration Legal Centre (RILC) who helped to prepare the applications for my children. “

Since arriving at the estate, Nelofar and Hamid have settled in well, often visiting the InfoCentre,using the gym and coming along to the Estate of the Arts catalogue launch We welcome Hamid and Nelofar to the Collingwood community and hope to meet Shafiqa's mother one day soon too.

 

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