Meet Susan

As a child Susan witnessed unimaginable violence by soldiers on her family and village members before they burnt her home and village to the ground. At the age of 14 years, along with parts of her family, Susan fled by foot, carrying all their belongings, from Sudan into Ethiopia to the first of five refugee camps.

 

After being in a camp for a short period of time the soldiers would catch up to Susan’s family and they would be forced to flee for their lives again. When Susan was 17 years of age they were fleeing again from one camp to another. Her mother was heavily pregnant, so Susan was required to carry the family’s belongings and their water supply for many, many weeks. They were alone with no one to help when Susan’s mother went into labour so with her mother’s direction Susan helped deliver her mother’s baby. Although Susan hunted and looked hard for food, due to the severe lack of food for her family, unfortunately the baby passed away after just one month.

 

Over her teenage years, Susan lived in 5 different refugee camps. Only one of these refugee camps had a school in it. In spite of this Susan can speak 4 languages including Uduk, Arabic, English and Nuer. Susan arrived in Perth at the age of 21 years without any family or friend network from her home country. Today, there are still only 2 other people from her tribe living in all of Australia. The loneliness and isolation in being the only person from her family and tribe here for such a long time has been a very difficult challenge. Especially whilst learning a new language and culture and raising a family.

 

Over the past 23 years, Susan has studied English, worked and raised 6 children and now is the proud grandmother of 2, soon to be 3, grandchildren. Susan’s story is a story of triumph over hardship. She is the epitome of resilience, determination and resourcefulness. On any given day, you will find Susan overcoming many challenges and looking for new opportunities. She is committed to looking after her family and setting a good example for them to follow.

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• Single mum who has raised 6 children 

• New language and culture learner

• Interrupted schooling

• Lack of Australian qualifications and regular work experience

• Severely traumatic experiences over long periods of time

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And still, Susan shows up every day to do her absolute best. Her stories will make you cry but her fabulous, boisterous laugh will make you laugh. She loves a good joke and has such a warm heart towards others.

 

If there were Gala Award Night’s for amazing human beings, Susan would be a winner and placed in the Hall of Fame. 

Susan, we see you and are honoured to celebrate you!