Learning lessons from a refugee family Imagine your father leaving his conflict-riddled homeland in a boat for a distant country to seek a brighter future for you and your family. Pakistan-born brothers Ali Reza (Year 11), Hassan (Year 9) and Ali Afghanistan is a long way from Stanmore, but the trauma of that time Sena (Year 8) Hossaini don’t have to imagine. That’s exactly what lingers. However, the Hossaini family are optimistic, and Ali Reza says their father did in 2009. his family has been transformed by living in Sydney. The boys speak of Newington College and Australia with enthusiasm ‘It’s amazing. You get different opportunities to succeed in life. If you – a response born of knowing the sacrifices their Afghan parents, miss one there will be more coming. When we got an opportunity to Abdul and Momina, made for them to have a better life in Australia. come to Australia, we couldn’t let it go.’ Abdul arrived in Australian waters by boat from Pakistan via Indonesia The boys started at the College in 2021 and immediately relished the in late-2009, having started the journey in February that year. The subjects and co-curricular activities available. Football and Athletics boat was intercepted by Australian border authorities, and he was feature on the co-curricular lists of all three boys; Ali Reza – who detained at Christmas Island. He was granted permanent residency in received a 2021 Newington Award for Character and Good Citizenship 2010 and arrived first in Brisbane before making his way to Sydney. in 2021 – has added Table Tennis and Newington Challenge to his list. Meanwhile, Momina, Ali Reza, Hassan and Ali Sena remained in Pakistan. After years apart, in 2012 Abdul was able to apply for his ‘The Director of Football was kind and welcoming, and that helped us family to come to Sydney. They finally arrived in Sydney from Pakistan settle, and the boys did too. Playing football helped us adjust to the on 5 May 2013. school,’ he said. ‘We were so happy to see our dad after so long away, his experiences ‘I’ve learned that students at Newington are responsible, respectful during conflict in Afghanistan and his journey to Australia. It was a and kind. I’ve changed massively – I have more goals now, there is relief,’ Hassan said. a high standard at the school. I want to finish Year 12 and pursue a career in mechanical technology,’ Ali Reza said. ‘When I was in Year It was a huge journey, and the trauma of war remains with Abdul 9, I was a bit lost and a troublemaker, but I have changed massively.’ and Momina, who are members of the Hazara ethnic group, a minority in Afghanistan who were victims of sustained persecution Hassan, who has also taken on Newington Challenge and Table and massacres in 1998. Momina recalls the trials and violence of Tennis, is enjoying the social aspect of Sydney life. ‘Football and her childhood. mates occupy his time outside of school. Ali Sena has joined the College Basketball program. ‘In 1993, when I was 7 or 8, the Taliban attacked our home with bullets and rockets. We found a safe space in a building in Afshar Adjusting to life in Sydney has been challenggat ties but one story that included an underground bunker – so many families were exemplifies Momina’s determination for the family to thrive in their there. It was 12 stories high and had two underground levels. adopted country. ‘We spent about two and a half months there. When we came ‘The first time I drove by myself in Australia was the night of the out from under the building, we saw that the whole area was Year 8 mother and son dinner. I had to drive across the Harbour Taliban-controlled. Bridge, which was scary for me. I thought I was lost and wouldn’t be able to find it. But I made it. I met lots of parents and Mr Parker ‘There were more than 3000 people hiding beneath that building. and it was enjoyable.’ Because the building was very big, there were four, five doors around it to enter and exit from. When the people went to the doors to exit, Newington’s means-tested scholarship coordinator Raja Yassine says the Taliban fired three rockets at the building and the people rushed the Hossaini family are a special and resilient family who have formed on the doors to get out. a mutually beneficial relationship with the College. ‘We were lucky to survive. My cousin’s son and daughter were killed.’ ‘We’re so happy to have the Hossaini family at Newington College, she said. ‘This is a way out of the trauma they’ve endured. Soon after, Momina and her family fled to Pakistan. Girls’ education was discouraged, so at 17 she left school and married Abdul. Abdul ‘To many of our staff and students, they are the exemplification came to Australia in 2009 and after four long years, Momina was of courage, kindness and perseverance. Education is the key to reunited with him. transformation and the lessons we are learning from each other on this journey is nothing short of humbling, empowering and fulfilling.’ ‘When I see news of attacks in Afghanistan on the news, I am shocked and reminded of my years there.’ The family welcomed their first Australia-born child in November 2019, a boy named Hisam. Perhaps another Hossaini Newington boy! Thank you to the Hossaini family, Raja Yassine and Aiden Carter for their assistance with this article. 12 | Curiosity | News Autumn 2022 |Stanmore 7–12