Arriving in Australia from Afghanistan in 2017 marked a mixture of emotions for Nasima. On the one hand, the then-17-year-old was elated to be reunited with her parents who had come to Australia years earlier, but adjusting to a new life here posed its own challenges.
Facing language barriers, Nasima had to learn English once she got here, so that she could complete the final three years of Australian high school before going to university. One of the greatest challenges thereafter was obtaining employment.
It was when SSI – a not-for-profit organisation supporting migrants and refugees – connected her with The Social Outfit, that she could envision a career trajectory of her own.
Based in Newtown in Sydney’s inner west, the ethical fashion brand and social enterprise trains and recruits women from refugee and migrant backgrounds in clothing design, production and retail. Since it opened in 2014, The Social Outfit has trained over 990 refugee women in specialist sewing programs. It has employed over 100 refugee women – 82% of whom count this as their first job in Australia.
Nasima was recruited in The Social Outfit's Retail Training Program, which she says impacted her not only financially, but on a personal level too by boosting her "self-esteem" and "confidence". Now 26 years of age, she chats to Missing Perspectives about how life has changed since coming to Australia, the process of finding herself personally and professionally, and the journey of launching her own business.
Nasima, thank you for taking the time to chat to Missing Perspectives. We know that you began working in the Retail Training Program at The Social Outfit after coming to Australia. Could you share the story behind coming to Australia from Afghanistan?
I came to Australia in 2017 from Afghanistan with my sister and my brother. My family came before me in 2012 and we joined them in 2017. My dad came first by boat and then shortly after my mum. There was an opportunity for my two brothers to also join and then after three years of separation, we were able to come to Australia.
I was 17 when I came to Australia. My family and I were living in Iran, but I had to go back to Afghanistan when my mum and dad left for Australia as that’s where my grandparents lived and they had to take care of us. I was 13 or 14 when I moved back from Iran to Afghanistan.
When they first left us, I thought it was going to be okay, but as time went on, I really felt that I needed to be around my family and my siblings. It was very exciting to meet them again. Towards the end, we were calling them every day and asking, “When are we able to see you again?”, “When are we able to study again?” – the country (Afghanistan) required documentation to study and my siblings and I would have needed to start all over again.
Once you arrived in Australia, how did you feel? What was the process of adapting to life in Australia like?
I grew up in Iran and I was able to study and then when we went back to Afghanistan we couldn’t study, it was such a big shock to us. We were thinking “What are we going to do?”; “How can we survive?”. We were also made fun of because of our accents so I had to change a lot of things back in Afghanistan. We had to put everything on pause.
When I first came to Australia, I was shocked at what was happening and it was hard to adjust, but was happy deep down because I could go back to school, make new friends and knew I could start making plans for a more stable life. I was able to have a stable life, I knew what is going on around me after being in uncertainty for a very long time.
Of course, there were differences about the people, the culture, how we dress, how we talk and even how we live. It was not easy to adjust. I had to look for a lot of support and ask from a lot of organisations ‘How do I do this?’ and ’How do I do that?’ and even ‘How do I fill out this form?’. Even having to learn the language. I was learning English and taking English classes before but it was different.
I started studying when I first came to Australia because I had to learn the language to be able to complete high school. I tried to get a job, but I could not because I could not speak English.
So I first studied a year of language school, and then completed Year 10, 11 and 12. In 2020 I went to university.
How did the opportunity to work at The Social Outfit come about? What did the Retail Training Program entail, and what did your job involve?
I volunteered with different organisations and looked for opportunities as I tried to navigate and get my first job in Australia. After completing high school, I was able to speak the language and knew it was time to get a job. I was connected through an organisation called SSI and they told me there was an opportunity with The Social Outfit. I was not expecting it, I thought I was going to be rejected again, but everything went smoothly and I was lucky enough to be able to work with The Social Outfit after a very long search for work. As I had no experience and then not being able to work or have the opportunity to gain experience, The Social Outfit was the place that opened that door for me for my journey of paid experience to start.
At The Social Outfit, I built my confidence. I worked as a Retail Trainee at the Newtown store. I was able to approach customers, speak to them about what we do, and how they can support us. It built my confidence and self-esteem.
I would say that my self-esteem and my confidence was really boosted and I was able to complete my training but also stay for a year after I graduated the traineeship with The Social Outfit because they trusted me. They trusted me to open the shop on my own, to be in the shop by myself. I was more confident, I was able to talk to customers, make sales. It is always the first step that is hardest.
What impact did being involved in this program have on you, especially when it comes to finding a sense of community?
Before, I had no connections, I did not have many friends. While I was working at The Social Outfit I met a lot of people in the business industries, trainers, new people, new connections and mentors. I was able to talk to people within The Social Outfit for support that I needed at that stage of my life. It was a space to be able to talk, have conversations and meet other trainees.
Could you share a bit more about your journey since then?
I am now 26.
I am the first person in my family, over all these generations, to go to university. I have now finished my Bachelors in Business. I am now studying my Masters in Marketing and Creative Industries and it is something that I love and am passionate about. Just this semester I started – it’s fun! I am not just the first person in my family to go to university but now even my masters. I am planning to do my research too as I love to study and learn.
I have my own little business that I started which is around coaching and breathwork where I help people create a life that they want, through goal setting and keeping them accountable in their journey. We speak about mental health and well-being.
What would you say are your career aspirations?
I really want to grow my business and help more people. I only started it six months ago and it's going great and I want to take it to the next stage. But, longer term if I complete my research, I would like to teach at university level. Yes, tutor and teach.
Do you have any advice for other young refugee or migrant women who come to Australia and are looking for employment and a sense of community?
I would advise other refugees or migrants coming to Australia to not give up. I would encourage them to ask for support, say yes to opportunities that come your way as they are all stepping stones to the next level and you would never know where that opportunity is going to take you. Always start working on yourself and developing your skills, as growth should always be your priority in life.