By Charlene Macaulay
Life has come full circle for Werribee’s Jacqueline Aungminn.
Ms Aungminn, who grew up in Burma and worked as a teacher on the Thai-Burma border, then later at a refugee camp, had to start over when she arrived in Australia as a refugee in 2015.
She learnt English through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP), which offers up to 510 hours of free English tuition for migrants and refugees. Now, she helps other people learn English and settle in Australia through the same program as a volunteer tutor.
“My purpose and my objective is to empower people to be educated, and understand the importance of education,” Ms Aungminn said.
“I love to work as a volunteer. I really value this job … I like to empower people so that they can stand on their own feet. They cannot stay at home and know nothing, they need this education and I like to provide that.
“Many people here are proud of their education, but they don’t want to share it. It’s very important that you share, care and give.”
Ms Aungminn is currently tutoring three students across Wyndham, many of whom have come to Australia with little to no understanding of English and Australian customs. She also works as a multicultural education aid at schools.
She said volunteering was her way of giving back for any government assistance she received when she first moved here.
Home tutor scheme co-ordinator Wazih Razib said the program was keen to recruit more volunteers, with about 30 students on the waiting list for assistance in Wyndham alone.
For more information call Wazih on 9009 7900 or email wazihr@djerriwarrh.org
