Meet your vendor.
My name is Hadia, and I have been part of The Big Issue Women’s Workforce for about three-and-a-half years. I first heard about The Big Issue when I was in a refuge. My caseworker applied for me, and that’s how I started. I feel very lucky because everyone here is friendly and kind. The team always helps us when we need something, and I feel happy to still be working with The Big Issue.
Before this, I didn’t have any work experience. This is my first job in Australia. Back in Afghanistan, I finished high school and studied two years at university in petroleum engineering. When I arrived, I studied English at TAFE because I wanted to learn and improve. Education is very important to me, and now I have also studied pharmacology in Australia because I want to work in health. My goal is to find a full-time job in my field.
I have a big family – five brothers, one younger sister and my parents. I talk to my mum and dad sometimes. We talk about everything. My father loves me, my mum also. My childhood was good and happy. I have already visited my family in Germany twice, and I just came back recently. Spending time with them was wonderful, and I hope to visit again in the future.
I first came to Australia in December 2020 on a partner visa. At first, it was very hard. I arrived during COVID and stayed for two weeks in hotel quarantine. After that, I had problems in my marriage. In my country, girls marry young because of culture. For me, it was difficult because I wanted something different. When things didn’t work out, I decided to be independent and strong. Since 2020 up to now I have been independent, and I am proud of myself because I have come so far.
After the refuge, I moved into my own accommodation. This is still a journey for me. I am building my home step by step. I started with the essentials, like a fridge, and I keep adding things when I can. Every time I bring something new into my home, it feels like progress. It makes me proud because I am doing this on my own.
I love living in Australia. It is a beautiful country, and I definitely want to stay. I have just received my Australian citizenship, and that makes me very happy. I like going for walks and exploring the suburbs around me. It feels good to see new places and enjoy the fresh air.
Working at The Big Issue has been very good for me. Everything here is good. People are friendly and kind, and the managers support us. It has given me confidence and a sense of belonging.
I am independent now, and I will definitely stay because I love this country. My hope for the future is to find a full-time job working as a pharmacist and keep building my life here.
Hadia works with The Big Issue Women’s Workforce in Perth.
Interview by Celia Tran
Photo by Ross Swanborough
Published in ed#756