Seven months on: Yazidi community settles into life in Wagga

In late 2016, SBS Arabic24 visited 15 Yazidi families who had arrived in the previous few months in Wagga Wagga in regional New South Wales as part of Australia’s commitment to a special intake of 12,000 people affected by the conflict in Syria and Iraq. This month we returned to see how the community is settling into their new life, seven months on.

The Yazidis putting their farming skills to work at the The Airing Inn gardens initiative in Wagga Source: Supplied

Seven months after visiting Wagga Wagga for the first time, SBS Arabic24 contacted Khayro Khayro during Refugee Week to check on the Yazidi families and their settlement progress.

Khayro says "the families have become so familiar with the town they no longer need directions or assistance getting around."

Some have obtained their driver’s licenses and bought cars and help the rest get to and from TAFE. Most importantly, Khayro explains that learning English is still the refugees’ number one priority and they have now advanced their skills so much that some are working as junior interpreters and have successfully found jobs.

“Sometimes I go to Sydney for a day or two for work," says Khayro. "I miss Wagga Wagga and when I go back I feel like I am home as I know the people and where everything is.”

Listen to Khayro's full interview (in Arabic) with SBS Arabic24 in the player above. 

Source: Khayro Khayro

Given that the Yazidis are traditionally farmers in Iraq, Khayro explained to SBS Arabic24 how important launching The Airing Inn gardens initiative has been.

The initiative, by TAFE Riverina Institute aims at helping the refugees practice their language skills as the obtain work experience.

"We as Yazidis are traditionally farmers. We will be volunteering at the garden to learn farming skills and practice our English.”

“At the start there weren’t many of us, now and after two families have arrived in Wagga Wagga today there are 47 families in total," says Khayro. "In general we are going very well."

"In terms of language skills we are participating in a new program. We thank the Airing Air Gardens staff."

"We as Yazidis are traditionally farmers. We will be volunteering at the garden to learn farming skills and practice our English.”

Source: Khayro Khayro

“We are now in Australia and we feel that Australia is our one and only home.”

The refugees volunteer there weekly and are so pleased they are doing what they love here in Australia.

Khayro expressed how safe and happy the 47 Yazidi families now feel in Wagga Wagga and says Australia is the one and only home for them now.

“We are now in Australia and we feel that Australia is our one and only home,” says Khayro.

Source: Khayro Khayro

See the full News report from SBS News below: