Thanks to the support of several Uniting Church congregations, the Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre in Brunswick has reopened its doors after a devastating electrical fire in 2024 forced the Centre to relocate temporarily to Coburg.
Asylum seeker Ramta is glad to see the Centre reopen to provide a safe and welcoming community space for people who have emigrated to Australia.
Arriving in 2014, Ramta struggled to adjust to a new culture, lifestyle and language. The working limitations on her temporary visa also caused great financial strain, preventing her from acquiring stable housing.
After suddenly finding herself homeless in 2019, Ramta was referred to the Centre where she received housing support, financial counselling, emotional support and connection with other asylum seekers through the Centre’s social and cultural events.
“I feel so blessed to have [Uniting] in my life,” Ramta says.
Ramta holds particularly fond memories of the Diwali festival the Centre hosted which encouraged her to take pride in and showcase her home country’s culture, food, and music.
“That was really close to my heart,” Ramta says of the Centre embracing asylum seeker’s cultures and traditions. “Look how much they respect you.”
Six years on, Ramta is still involved with the Centre as a volunteer and member of their advisory group.
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