Helen is a 44-year-old woman who was born in South Sudan, Africa. The beginnings of her life were very tough times to say the least and Helen endured a lot of early traumas. When she was only 10 years old her parents made the impossibly difficult decision to send her brother and herself to North Sudan, which was considered the safer territory during the civil war. Helen didn’t have a very privileged or happy childhood at all and was married at 17 to a “grown up” man. Sadly, this was not a happy marriage, and this man did not treat Helen with the love and respect she deserved.

The reality of her new surroundings was not the solace she had hoped for. What she found was Egypt was a very dangerous place to live as a young woman due to the ultra-conservative culture and the lack of protection from authorities. Her plight was made even scarier being a migrant with no sense of place or understanding of the language.

Hearing Helen talk about people like herself going “missing” regularly was quite terrifying even to try and comprehend. She also said there didn’t seem to be any regard or consequence for taking the life of a migrant or a woman on the street “unless the person was actually seen doing it!” Helen could not work as it was impossible to trust anyone, she lasted for two years in Egypt surviving on her wits with her six children before fleeing to Australia in 2005.

From the moment she touched down on Australian soil as a newly single mother she felt like a massive weight was lifted from her shoulders. She no longer had to live in constant fear. She said during her two years in Egypt she felt constantly exhausted from having to sleep with one eye open. Helen and her family were allocated housing in Melbourne, and she felt very happy and positive, feeling her life was just beginning.

First thing on her agenda was to learn English at the local tech. She picked up the language quickly but says it took about two years to become fluent. Once she had a grasp of the lingo, Helen signed up for certificates in homecare, community services and childcare. Impressively she then went onto further education completing a diploma, not bad for a mother of six young kids who had only recently learned English!

In 2015 Helen decided she was going to put her education to use. She also pledged her time to volunteer at an aged care facility. She wanted to contribute to her adopted country as well as use her new skills and gain valuable experience in her chosen career path. In 2017 Helen found Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre (BNC), at the time she was in contact with a migration office where a friendly lady recommended BNC for possible opportunities.

She was blown away by just how many opportunities she was offered by the Centre. BNC showed Helen how to build a professional resume, which encapsulated all her amazing skills and education, and also how to access and apply for jobs online.

Helen became “very strong friends” with Lisa at the Centre and Lisa helped her with all areas of her life. Not only had Lisa helped her apply for and get jobs since 2017, she offered moral support during these times of employment for anything needed to succeed or just to debrief or have a chat. Helen wanted to add BNC directed her how to access further education courses specific to her dream job working as an assistant nurse working with dementia patients.

Helen has experienced more in a relatively short period of time than most of us could dream in hundred lifetimes. She has achieved all her extraordinary accomplishments both academic and personal despite harrowing barriers that most could never comprehend. Yet still this lady is so humble and unassuming, and her goals are nowhere near complete.

Having the pleasure of listening to her truly inspirational story it is safe to assume she is only getting started and there are no limits to what she will go onto achieve. It is awesome BNC can assist in her incredible journey and help further empower this wonderful lady to thrive in her local community of Ballarat.

We know the journey towards a destination is as important as the destination itself. Regardless of how you Connect with us, we will travel this journey with you; sharing your highs and lows, the good and the bad times, and working with you to help you Learn and Participate.

This story was captured by John in December 2023 as a student placement project for his Bachelor of Community and Human Services degree. Names may be changed.