Asylum Seeker Profiles
Claude
I completed my secondary education in Kinshasa, the capital of The Democratic Republic of Congo. While French is my first language, I studied English as a subject throughout secondary school. After my secondary education I completed a teaching apprenticeship and then worked as a primary school teacher for six years, teaching general subjects across Grades 1 to 5. In Kinshasa I also had experience as a pharmacy assistant, where my duties included cash handling, customer service, stock management and ordering.
I arrived in Australia in early 2009 and was at first in Western Australia where I worked as a volunteer in the recreation program in an aged care facility in Perth. I have a current Working with Children Check from Western Australia. In Melbourne I have worked as a volunteer Duty Officer at the Asylum Seekers’ Resource Centre in West Melbourne, where my responsibilities included reception, orientation of new clients, organisation of food parcels and maintenance of offices and common areas.
In January this year I was accepted as a volunteer with the Victorian State Emergency Service and have begun training to be able to assist during the bushfire season. I am computer literate and enjoy reading, music, learning new languages and playing soccer as a goal keeper. My long-term hope would be to become a school teacher in Australia.
Ebraheem
Originally, I am from Sri Lanka and I arrived in Australia about four years ago. In Sri Lanka I was a machine operator and accounts keeper with Hussain Rice Mill, an import /export company. Later I worked for Singams Leather where my duties included grading, rolling, painting and printing of leather products. Immediately prior to relocating to Australia I was owner / operator of Sign World and Digital Press. In Australia I worked for three years as a machine operator with Label Makers Group Pty Ltd in Somerton.
My experience as a machine operator and as a printer and sign writer has included: machine operation, general sign design, sketching and template drawing, surface preparation, painting of posters, banners and external signs, working with enamel, acrylic paints and varnish and working with plastics, metal and glass and quality control. I have also had experience in keeping accounts and in liaising with clients. My hopes for future employment would be in the areas of sign writing or painting.
Hamed
I arrived in Australia from Chad in 2007 and obtained permanent residence in 2008. In Chad I completed my secondary education and then I managed my family’s mixed business, which involved the sourcing, purchasing and sale of stock, including food and livestock. As a result, I had considerable experience in invoicing and bookkeeping and in negotiating with and managing people.
During 2008 I worked as a volunteer at West Sunshine Community Centre teaching Arabic to young Sudanese. I have a Working with Children Check which is current. I am currently undertaking the second year of a two year Diploma in Legal Services at Victoria University, Footscray Campus. The units in this Legal Services Diploma include: interviewing clients, community leadership, research and report writing, interpretation and application of legislation, drafting of documents and document filing.
My goal is to pursue a career in legal and community development. I am looking for an opportunity to be involved in community support and development and I have a particular interest in assisting recent arrivals to Australia.
I have also completed Certificate II in Security (Operations) with Austwide Institute of Training and Certificate III in Furniture Making at AMES, Brunswick. I have a Victorian Drivers’ Licence.
Pascal
I am from Cameroon in West Africa. I completed High School in 2002 and qualified for the General Certificate of Education at advanced level. This would be the equivalent to VCE in Victoria. After High School I enrolled at a local training institute and completed a Diploma in Computer Software and also an Orientation in Laboratory Medicine.
I am proficient in Microsoft Office 2007 applications including: Word, Excel and PowerPoint and have had experience in data entry. From 2003 to 2008 I worked as a laboratory assistant at the Imperial Academy of the Arts and Science at Tiko in Cameroon, where my duties included maintaining the inventory of laboratory equipment, preparation of solutions, setting-up for experiments, data entry and management of computer files.
When I arrived in Australia in early 2009 I began a Diploma in Laboratory Technology (Pathology Testing & Biotechnology) at Victoria University, Footscray Campus and became involved in the Student Leadership Program and worked as an International Student Officer, where I had experience in reception and customer service, responding to international students’ enquiries about enrolment procedures, payment of fees and accessing of Overseas Student Health Cover.
I have good written and oral communication skills and I am a confident public speaker. I am able to work as a member of a team and I am able to lead and delegate tasks to others. My interests are reading and current affairs and Soccer, as I played professionally in Cameroon. My hope for the future is to pursue a career in laboratory medicine.
Russal
I arrived in Australia from Pakistan during 2008. My background is in accounting. I completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree at the Punjab College of Commerce and then enrolled with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in Pakistan with a view to obtaining accreditation as an auditor. This accreditation was partially completed when I relocated to Australia. In Australia the Overseas Qualifications Unit has accepted my Bachelor of Commerce as an associate degree.
In Australia, my outlook on life has been greatly influenced by people who have assisted me when I have been most in need of support. As a result, I have decided to make a change of direction and would like to become involved in the Health field, where I would be working with people and helping people in need. In order to make a start in this direction, I am in process of enrolling in Certificate III in Aged Care at Northern Metropolitan Institute of TAFE.
At this stage I am keen to begin working in Australia, so I would be prepared to consider any job. However, I would have a special interest in something connected to the Health field and in particular in aged care.
Sam
I arrived in Australia from Sri Lanka in 2003. In Sri Lanka I completed a Diploma in Computer Programming at a Technical Engineering College, which would be similar to a TAFE College in Australian terms. After completing the Diploma I was employed by the Engineering College in the Computer Department, where I worked for about 10 years. At first I worked as an instructor, lecturer and programmer in the computer laboratory. Later I was mainly lecturing and eventually I was appointed manager of the department, which was a sub-branch of the main campus, which was located in the capital, Colombo. As a programmer I was involved with analysis of programs, software development, installation, networking, repairs and maintenance. As manager I had responsibility for staff, facilities, equipment, course design, and supervision of department finances and marketing of the department’s programs.
Since my arrival in Melbourne I have completed Certificate II in Hospitality (Kitchen Operations) with WISE Employment and a module in Workplace Hygiene Procedures with Encompass Community Services. I have also completed units in the Preparation of Espresso Coffee and Coffee Making with the Victorian Bar School, which are part of the Hospitality Training Package and involved roasting, blending, use and maintenance of commercial coffee making machines. I did training in Responsible Serving of Alcohol with Consumer Affairs Victoria, Liquor Licensing.
My work experience in Australia has included customer service and cash management in a convenience store, kitchen hand, sandwich hand, domestic and office cleaner and factory cleaning supervisor. I worked as a Food Service Assistant and Food Monitor in Cabrini Hospital (Malvern). As a food monitor I was responsible for establishing and updating of patients’ diet status, preparation and printing of patient menus and consulting with patients regarding their dietary needs.
I have a Victorian Drivers’ Licence and also a Forklift Licence. I am very interested in cricket, both as a player and spectator. In terms of the future, I would be interested in exploring possibilities for becoming involved in the computer field again or work where my computer skills could be utilised. I would also be interested in exploring any possibilities in customer service or in food service.