Connection

In 1999 I decided to sponsor the education of a child in a refugee camp. I wanted to do so privately and directly so that the money I was able to give was not diluted through an agency. Through a friend who was sponsoring her brother, I learnt of Tapasya and so began our contact.

We were able to send bank drafts directly to the family. At first we exchanged photos and letters - always in English even though she was only in year 2 then. Her father also wrote to me in excellent English and I got to learn more of the background to their situation from him.

By 2002 they were able, occasionally, to reach an internet café 2 hours bike ride (on an sealed road) from their camp and there our email connection started. We have emailed regularly ever since and a couple of years ago access became easier for them when an internet enabled computer was available just outside the camp.

Last year, for the first time since living in the camp, a telephone became available. Since then we have called about once a month to offer our support and encouragement. Sometimes it takes 30 minutes to get a line in. Then someone answers and after stating who I am and where I am from and saying "Dill Ram", she says "10 minutes". I then have to ring back. That is the time it takes to find him and for him to get to the phone.

Over the years my husband and I have become very close to this family. They call us "elder sister" and "elder brother-in law". Tapasya calls me her "other mother". We exchange gifts and follow happenings in each others lives.

When the option of third country settlement was put to them they were at first hesitant. There first priority was to get back to Bhutan, but as that seemed less and less likely to be a real possibility they started to think about Australia as a possible new home. At first they had to be rather secretive about this as tensions were high. Many in the camps who were open about promoting the third country option were the focus of abuse and violence. Many thought that dignified repatriation was the only option they should consider.

In May 2008 they emailed to say they had decided to apply for resettlement, if they could come to Australia, as they knew we would be here to support them.

After many emails and letters to the UNHCR, IOM, DFAT, Department of Immigration, our Local MP Jon Sullivan, etc etc we were able to secure their acceptance and finally, in November, their class 200 Visas (humanitarian) were issued and preparations for their departure could be made.The arrived on 16 December 2008.