Ashoup Atar knows what it’s like to move to a country you know nothing about and where you have few people to support you.
Ms Atar moved to Australia from war-torn Sudan with her parents and siblings in 1998 when she was 14 years old.
Her parents dreamt of giving their children a better education and life in Australia, far away from the dangers of civil war.
Keen to live up to her parents’ dreams for her future, Ms Atar vowed to make a good life for herself by getting an education and helping other migrants and refugees.
Last Friday she launched Kowanj, a not-for-profit group supporting African, Arabic and Pacific Islander people living in Melbourne’s west.
The organisation – named after the Sudanese Arabic word for care – will run short courses, tutoring programs, parenting classes and support groups for young mothers, as well as crime prevention classes and health groups.
Ms Atar, a nutritionist who studied pharmaceutical science, wants to help others get a good education and live a fruitful life.
‘‘My experiences have spurred me into setting up a place where people can drop in and feel welcome and have someone listen to them,” she said.
“This organisation will assist children who may not have a direction as such, or whose parents are struggling to find help or people that speak their language and understand their culture.
Kowanj will support people in their integration into Australian society. Without support you can lose your way.
‘‘This will be a place where people from African and Pacific Islander communities can feel welcome, where they feel supported, empowered and understood.”
For more details, phone 9687 0840.
