John has lived experience of being a refugee and person seeking asylum. John has graduated with a Master of Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Swinburn University and has recently founded a consulting business Moshkil Gusha Business & Consulting Services to support culturally and linguistically diverse entrepreneurs, small and micro enterprises and startups.
He is now a personal, business and life coach for others through Ikigai Coaching, another company he has established.
John also has over a decade’s experience in real estate sales and marketing via another company of his: JG Buyers Agent.
John is a change-maker. He has previously run for local and state parliament on issues, including human rights, social justice and climate change. He has a keen interest in learning different languages, history research and reading. He is currently the co-founder of a research platform on the history of Afghanistan.

Abeny Monyteng Ring Mayol is a South Sudanese woman who first settled in Adelaide, South Australia in 2011, and moved to Western Sydney in 2017 and currently resides in Brimbank Area.
She lived in Kakuma refugee camp in the Turkana district and Nairobi, Kenya where she learned how to read and write.
Abeny completed a Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning with Honours from the University of South Australia and a Graduate Certificate in Urban Design at the University of Sydney.
She worked as a planner for 3 years for a local government organisation in Southwestern Sydney before taking a job as a Cultural Educator at youth justice in Melbourne, Victoria during covid. Abeny is currently working as a town planner for EPA.
Abeny is also a member of Sweatshop: Western Sydney Literacy Movement and is published in Sweatshop Women volume 2 and Sweatshop in the redroom. Abeny considers herself a storyteller and believes every child should have access to education regardless of their gender, family, or financial status.

Marziyah was born in the beautiful and culturally rich land of Afghanistan. Fleeing her homeland at less than a year old, her journey led her through various countries before finding refuge in Australia in 2015.
The lack of justice for people seeking asylum in the previous country of her residence has fuelled her determination to become a lawyer. Marziyah is driven by a desire to advocate for those who cannot raise their voices due to societal discrimination. Having experienced the challenges of resettlement, Marziah has now dedicated herself to helping others through working at a non-profit and volunteering with an Afghan-Australian community organisation in Victoria.
Her commitment to justice and community support extends beyond her professional and academic pursuits. Witnessing the tragic events in Afghanistan in August 2021, Marziyah felt compelled to contribute to the wellbeing of other people from Afghanistan. Through volunteering with a community organisation, she initiated efforts to assist new arrivals by collecting and delivering clothing. Her goal is to foster a world where everyone, irrespective of their religion, cultural background, gender, or skin colour, lives in harmony and respects one another’s differences. Marziayh is passionate about creating a safe and peaceful global community and continues to strive towards that vision while studying law full-time, working, and volunteering.

Abdul has offered hope and happiness to socially isolated people seeking asylum by founding the All Nations Cricket Team, a powerful community sports initiative that provides the opportunity for people to build relationships and thrive.

“We follow the philosophy, ‘Don’t Give Up Give Back!’ and both my wife Lubna and I went from ‘Victim to Victor!’”.

Abdul and his wife Lubna, are celebrating volunteering with both the ASRC & The Monash Health Community Centre for 5 years.
Abdul will again be representing Victoria for the Cricket NSW & Sydney Thunder partnership during Refugee Week on 20th June, 2021.

Mursal Sadat, a dedicated member of the Afghanistan Women’s National Soccer Team, resettled in Australia during the 2021 evacuation from Kabul. With a diploma in graphic design from the Institute of Fine Arts, she began advocating for social change at just 15, delivering impactful speeches for UNICEF Afghanistan.

Now based in Melbourne, Mursal has enhanced her advocacy skills through programs like the Community Advocacy Power Program with ASRC and CMY’s “A Seat at the Table” initiative. Her leadership was recognised at the Universal Youth Leadership Summit in Bangkok 2024, where she received the Best Delegate award, and she was honoured with the United Nations Peace Day Power of Peace Award in 2024.

Mursal is passionate about championing women’s and refugees’ rights in Australia and Afghanistan, using her experiences to highlight the struggles faced by women under the Taliban regime. She engages with organisations like ASRC, Embrace Sanctuary Australia, and CMY’s ShoutOut program to amplify these critical issues.

Currently, Mursal serves as a Youth Facilitator for CMY’s Settling Smarter Program and is a Casual Football Coach with Football Victoria. She also volunteers with Global Shapers Melbourne and coaches with Melbourne Victory community programs.

In addition to her advocacy work, Mursal plays soccer for AWT Melbourne Victory and studies Sports and Business at SEDA Melbourne Victory, with aspirations to enter politics to leverage her skills for community service and advocate for those in need.

Mehdi is a former Hazara refugee, public speaker, and human right activist. He started his journey after arriving in Australia on a lackey broken boat as an unaccompanied minor. He loves to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from his mistakes/failures. Early on in life, Mehdi learned the art of dealing with failure and rejection. According to neuroscientists, 95% of our decisions are based on feelings and emotions. That’s why, early on he changed his behavior to change how he feels. The mantra which worked is “Do it or don’t, there is no try”.
Before arriving in Australia, Mehdi experienced ‘stateless’ and lived in “survival mode” where surviving through the day and night in one piece was the only goal. After arriving in Australia, Mehdi felt a strong connection within the community as in a word of Aristotle, “Do good, feel good”. he sought to inspire others with his own dramatic life narrative, encouraging them to push beyond comfort zones and foster mental resilience.
Despite challenges, Mehdi earned a Biomedical Engineering degree and launched a podcast channel, dedicated to sharing untold stories that contribute to collective learning. With a belief in the power of education and shared experiences, Mehdi envisions a world where mutual learning and understanding create a better place for all.

Parisa Sekandari is currently pursuing a master’s degree in international relations at Monash University, Australia, with a dedicated focus on gender equality and women’s education. Her academic journey is enriched by her active involvement in humanitarian and advocacy work.
She is a key member of the Community for Humanity (C4H), a non-profit organization committed to serving refugees in Australia.
In addition to her work with refugees, she plays a vital role within ‘Amplify Afghan Women’ an initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for Afghan women.
This role underscores her dedication to empowering women through education, especially in challenging socio-political environments. Her past role as a lecturer at Herat University’s Faculty of Political Science and her current engagement at Monash University reflect her commitment to education and social advocacy.

I’m Javid Bahonar, a proud Hazara originally from Afghanistan. My life, deeply intertwined with my heritage, has predominantly been spent as a refugee in Pakistan and India. In August 2021, amid Afghanistan’s political chaos, I sought a fresh start in Australia, a place of new opportunities and hopes.
Presently, I’m making significant contributions to Australia’s infrastructure development, serving as a cost controller for the North East Link project. This role not only showcases my professional expertise but also mirrors my resilient journey. Concurrently, I’m advancing my education with a diploma in project management, driven by a lifelong dedication to learning and career growth.
My work offers both fulfilling challenges and vast opportunities for development. Beyond my career, I engage in social ventures, including public speaking and community events, aiming to leave a positive mark on society. These pursuits are a tribute to my Hazara roots and my experiences as a refugee.
Apart from my professional and social engagements, I find joy and relief in hiking and camping. These hobbies connect me to nature and provide a sense of peace and adventure. I aspire to travel the globe one day, eager to immerse myself in the rich tapestry of the world’s cultures, languages, and traditions.
My story is one of perseverance and adaptability, shaped by life’s unpredictable twists and turns. With a heart full of compassion and a commitment to forging a brighter future, I face new opportunities with unwavering determination and optimism.