Home is Here: Parisa Ramak

My name is Parisa Ramak, an Iranian-Kurdish woman who has been living in Australia for nearly 12 years. We fled Iran in 2013 when our son was just two years old, searching for safety and peace. Over these years, my family and I have strived to make meaningful contributions to the community here while enduring the challenges of our uncertain visa status.

I am an aged care and disability support worker. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I proudly served as a support worker, playing a crucial role in supporting our community. My commitment extends beyond professional duties; I remain actively involved in volunteering with charities and our church.

Since 2019, I’ve volunteered as a teacher in Melbourne. I teach computer skills to adults and Persian language children. Despite these ongoing efforts to build strong connections and enhance our English skills, the shadow of our uncertain visa status continues to loom large over our lives.

The strain of not having a secure visa has weighed heavily on our mental well-being, adding stress and uncertainty to our daily lives.

During these years we have faced the heartbreak of being unable to visit or connect with loved ones due to travel restrictions in a third country, missing out on precious moments and farewells with those who have passed away.

My advocacy as a refugee, especially after the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, and my conversion to Christianity have led to severe threats from the Iranian regime. Their awareness of our religious change and my activism underscores the dangers we’d face if we returned. The harsh restrictions on religious freedom and women’s rights in Iran heighten our fears, making returning completely impossible.

Despite our efforts to settle into the Australian community, the ongoing uncertainty about our visa status continues to affect our ability to fully plan for our families and our children’s future. We remain in a state of limbo, unable to achieve the security and stability we yearn for.

We are deeply grateful for the support and opportunities we have received from the Australian community, despite the many limitations we face. We hope for a resolution that will allow us to contribute to this country with both stability and hope.

We appeal for your support in highlighting the plight of refugees and people seeking asylum like us. Our journey has been marked by safety and peace, and we seek to build a secure future for our families especially for our children, who dream of a bright future in Australia.