Why I volunteer

By Mayshan Kelishadi, ASRC volunteer

When I was nine, my auntie came to Australia from Iran. For certain reasons, we decided it’s best for her and her family that she remain here and seek asylum. It took eight years until she was granted a visa and reunited with her husband and two daughters.

Those eight years were long and difficult. We lived in Perth and back then there were no organisations like the ASRC – the Red Cross existed but couldn’t always help. My mother and I were basically my auntie’s only support and her community. However despite all the sacrifices, we always knew they were worth making to save someone from life in Iran.

It took my aunt 6 years to get her own visa and then two years to organise family reunion. The main reason it took so long (besides Australia’s draconian immigration policy) was that the interpreter was careless and made many mistakes in her RRT interview. This is one of the reasons I decided to become an interpreter myself.

However, I cannot tell this story without mentioning my mother, for she was the rock and reason for my auntie remaining here.

Many times my auntie wanted to give up and return to Iran, she wanted to return mainly because of the separation from her husband and children. To be separated from your children for that long is unfair and caused her lots of emotional pain. Each time, time my mother would remind her of her children’s futures if they were to remain in Iran, and the wonderful life they would have in Australia if my auntie persisted. Also, the risks of return were mainly on her rather than her children or husband. It was a risk we would never take.

Mayshan’s mother

My mother sacrificed a lot of things, family time, work, money and needless to say emotional energy so that her sister and nieces would have a better future. Thanks mum for everything; you’re one of a kind!

I don’t know if the experience of helping my auntie changed my perception of people seeking asylum. I feel that I would always be supportive anyway. But it definitely opened my eyes to the hardship, heartbreak and insecurity they go through.

It made me the person I am today, and has made me want to pursue a job where I can share in the hardship and help alleviate it. That is why today I volunteer, and hope to one day work with, the ASRC because of the amazing work we do with people seeking asylum.

#TheirStoryOurStory
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At some stage in our history, a family member has sacrificed something so that we, or the next generation could feel safe, loved, and to help us prosper. These stories recognise the importance of giving a person the opportunity to feel safe, and build a better life.
To directly support and empowers over 3,000 people seeking asylum each year to find safety, you can donate to our Christmas Appeal using the form below.