Shukriah

In August 2017, I left my home in Afghanistan and flew to Indonesia.

I knew I was leaving behind everything that was familiar to me, but I didn't know what my life would look like afterwards. I carried hope for safety and a better future, but also the pain of leaving my home, my community and the life I had known.

Life as a refugee has brought many different emotions.

There have been days when I felt lonely, sad and invisible. Days when I wondered what my future would look like and whether I would ever feel like myself again.

But there have also been moments of learning, healing and discovering parts of myself that I didn't know were there.

Finding my voice

One of the important turning points in my journey was discovering that I could use my own experiences to help others.

I became involved in different projects and opportunities that allowed me to learn new skills and become more confident. One of the experiences that stays with me most was speaking at IASFM20 about legal knowledge for refugees.

Standing there and sharing what I knew was a powerful moment for me.

I realised that my experiences and knowledge had value. My voice could help other people, and I could contribute to conversations that affect refugee communities.

That changed how I saw myself.

A place to give back

Today, I am the Vice Director of Refugee Learning Nest.

The organisation is very close to my heart because I know what it feels like to be a refugee trying to find your way in an unfamiliar place. I know how important it can be to have someone believe in you, to have opportunities to learn, and to have a community around you.

At Refugee Learning Nest, I now have the opportunity to support people who are walking a path that I understand personally.

I can share what I have learned, listen to others, and help create opportunities for people to discover their own strengths.

Looking back

When I think about the person who arrived in Indonesia in 2017, I see someone who was carrying a lot of uncertainty.

Today, I see someone who has found her voice and a sense of purpose.

Being a refugee has taught me strength, patience and compassion. It has also taught me that difficult experiences do not have to define the rest of our lives.

Sometimes, they can become part of what enables us to understand and support someone else.

I am still learning and growing, but now I know that my experiences matter - and that I can use them to help others.