LEETON is home to up to 70 refugees from across the world and all have a unique story to tell.
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National Refugee Week will be held starting from Sunday and the Leeton Multicultural Support Group wants to use the initiative as a stepping stone to create more awareness within the community.
This year the group will forgo putting on an event in the week’s honour, primarily due to many refugees in Leeton fasting for Ramadan.
The idea instead is to try to raise the plight of refugees and make more community members aware of the need for tolerance and acceptance.
Many schools in the shire have also been provided with materials for students to use in the classroom.
Group president Paul Maytom said it was important Leeton shire residents recognised the contribution refugees were making in the community.
“They are just like the rest of us … they are working, paying their bills and have many interests,” Mr Maytom said.
“We’re working with them to help further integrate them in to the community.
“Many have come from hard and different backgrounds, but we are glad they are here.
“We also want people to be aware of Refugee Week and what it’s all about.”
Refugee Week is Australia’s peak annual activity to raise awareness about the issues affecting refugees and celebrate the positive contributions made by refugees to Australian society.
The theme for Refugee Week for 2015 to 2017 is “with courage let us all combine”.
Sayed Ibrahim Shah Mosawi came to Australia from Afghanistan as a refugee escaping the terrifying world of the Taliban.
He is now a permanent citizen of Australia and has been living in Leeton for the past three years.
Mr Mosawi works at Riverina Beef as a slicer and in his spare time has been learning English.
He attends TAFE two days a week and spends time every Friday with support group member Robyn Hutchinson also working on the English language.
Mr Mosawi said he felt safe and happy living in Leeton.
The money he earns helps to support his family in Pakistan, who also fled the Taliban.
He has 10 children. “I love it in Leeton, the people are so friendly and I love my job,” Mr Mosawi said.
Mr Mosawi’s story is one of success having successful became a permanent citizen and becoming part of the community fabric.
Mr Maytom said that was one of the main goals of the support group.
“We just want the community to be aware of the week and its aims,” he said.