If you’re a newly arrived migrant from India with nowhere to go, rest assured, you will have welcoming arms to embrace and help you through your very first few days in Australia.
Inspired by their own journey, an Adelaide-based young couple has taken an initiative to help freshly arrived migrants, in the difficult process of settling down in a new country, that will eventually become "home".
A 28-year-old aged-care worker Deep Brar, along with her husband, Gurbhagwan Singh Brar alias Gagan who works as a truck driver, are offering people a room in their “humble abode”, along with meals and a pick-up provision from the airport- all free of charge to those who are arriving to Australian shores for the first time and have no one to call their “own.”
The couple recently posted about their initiative on Facebook and received an overwhelming response from the community.
Speaking to SBS Punjabi, Ms Brar said that their desire to help others wasn’t a ‘thought-over’ move, but perhaps a random impulse that stemmed from their personal journey.
Snapshot of Deep Brar's post on Facebook. Source: Facebook
“When we first arrived here, three years ago, we too had nowhere to go. We were completely clueless and had no one to look forward to” said Ms Brar.
“But as luck would have it, my husband’s cousin’s distant acquaintance offered to pick us up from the airport. They offered us food and lodgings and later also helped us to find accommodation.”
“Their selfless gesture will forever remain in our hearts,” reminisced Ms Brar.
Despite having to tend to their jobs, and their seven-month-old baby, Ms Brar and her husband feel compelled to give back to the community, with a simple desire to become a needful’s ‘first family’.
Deep Brar with her husband Gurbhagwan Singh Brar. Source: Supplied
When asked what they’d want in return, pat came the answer-“a word of thanks or perhaps not even that.”
“We are doing this for our own satisfaction,” clarified the young mom who now wants to take this opportunity to encourage others to come forward so that they can strengthen their ’help network.’
“Since we have posted on social media, we've received over 200 likes. Now imagine if all of those 200 people came forward to help young migrants instead of just sitting there and applauding our efforts,” said Ms Brar.
“I’d like to call upon each of those families who are financially stable to come forward and help those in need. Offer them whatever you can, your home, a job or just guidance.”
But Melbourne-based taxi driver Sandeep who’s been carrying out a similar initiative for over seven years has a word of caution for the young Brar family and all those who want to follow in their footsteps.
“They are just starting out and must be aware of the downside of helping others. They must do a background check before inviting people to share their home, considering the fact that have a baby,” he cautioned.
“It’s very easy to get carried away. I have had bad experiences where people have walked out without informing or have trashed my place.”
But when Sandeep's warning was conveyed to the Brars, they were least affected and said nothing can deter them from setting out on this journey.
“We’re aware of the risks involved, but I’d say it’s totally worth it. To have somebody to hold your hand when you know no one around feels like someone has offered you an anchor just when you were about to drown,” said Ms Brar.
