The Sharifi family is in urgent need of a safe home – but thanks to the help of a small group of Canberra women, they have reason to smile. Photo: Supplied.
A small group of Canberra women is helping improve the lives of a family and secure a safe home for them on the other side of the world.
The group was created by former public servant Robyn Fetter, who has also spent many years working as a refugee advocate, including with Operation #NotForgotten, the community-led campaign to support refugees held in offshore detention in Papua New Guinea and Nauru to resettle in Canada.
The group has already helped one Afghan family settle in Canberra, with Robyn noting locals have been quick to assist, helping establish support systems to make integration into the Canberra community easier.
It was through this volunteer work that Robyn came in contact with the Sharifi family of seven – their five children range from 25 to six – originally from Afghanistan but now living in Pakistan. With their future uncertain and an urgent need to secure a permanent, safe new home, Robyn’s group has been raising funds to support them.
“I got to know the family, and they are wonderful people,” Robyn said.
“We helped them by sending a basic living allowance just to help cover rent and utilities. But through that, the father managed to save enough to help send three of the children to university.”
The women need to raise $2000 a month to provide the living allowance for the family, but, Robyn said, “we can’t do this forever”. A permanent home is needed for the family to finally feel safe.
“We are looking for ways to get them to a place where they can make a new life, but the prospects are bleak.”
Despite his excellent credentials, including a degree in Business Administration and years of experience at non-government organisations, including managing foreign funds and recruiting local staff for projects, Mr Sharifi’s application for a humanitarian visa to Australia was rejected.
Jenny Manning’s hand-painted lino print of banksias is one of the artworks for sale at the Art for Life exhibition on 15 February. Photo: Supplied.
“We don’t know why it’s been so hard for him to get a visa, but we know the family is not safe in Pakistan, so all we’re trying to do is help give them a safe future,” Robyn said.
“For him, his family is his basic reason for living, so that’s why helping them is so important.”
Robyn’s group, the Working Girls, holds regular fundraisers for the family – from trivia nights to raffles, a long lunch and produce sales. Their latest fundraiser is Art For Life. It’s an exhibition of works by more than 20 emerging and established artists who have donated their works to the cause, including paintings, prints, drawings, ceramics, sculptures and woodwork.
The day will include the art exhibition, live music, morning and afternoon teas – all in an award-winning garden. All money raised from the event will go to help the Sharifi family secure a permanent, safe home.
The Art For Life exhibition will be held on Sunday, 15 February, from 10:30 am to 4 pm at 17 Stokes Street, Griffith.
