Meera* has endured years of isolation, fear and poor health. You can help her recover.
Your generous gift towards ARA’s Emergency Support Service before 30 June will help Meera build a new, better life in Australia, and achieve her full potential.
On the day we first met Meera, she was confused, frightened and alone… but did not know how to ask for help.
Once, she dreamed of a successful career as a teacher. Instead, she endured heartbreak, isolation and a terrible head injury due to war-time violence before arriving in Australia.
After fleeing with her family to escape war in her home country, Meera’s marriage broke down and she lost contact with her two little girls. She remarried at the request of her family and had a third daughter, Tamara*. But her husband was always travelling, leaving her terribly isolated. Then, caught up in conflict once more, Meera suffered a serious head injury, resulting in permanent hearing loss and ongoing mental health issues.
Moving to Australia was supposed to lead to a better life. But she struggled to adjust to a new country with no support. Her undiagnosed medical issues were immense. Family financial issues led to ongoing stress. Meera had no one to help her, no one to turn to.
Meera’s connection with ARA and the Emergency Support Service has finally led to hope. With help from a compassionate ARA case worker, Meera has had immediate help for her family, connection to urgently needed medical treatment and mental health counselling. She can see a new future is possible.
“Now, one of those times when I feel very scared and insecure, straight away, I start thinking about ARA, and I know this day, I can contact. There’s someone I can go to. Now ARA is my family.”