Refugee crisis
Ms Bea with Shelam and Ntumbo from Liverpool Boys
Monday, 29th October 2012
The Government must change their policies on refugees coming to Australia! We need to let more refugees into Australia, to let them escape the dangerous countries in the world. To many people living overseas, Australia is seen as a ‘safe place’ and a place that will give anyone shelter. So let’s start becoming that ‘safe place’ that will let in more people in need! They need help, and it’s only humane and responsibly to help all the millions of people fleeing unsafe situations.
From Iraq alone, there are 1.4 million refugees, but from Afghanistan, there are 2.7 MILLION people seeking refuge. How is Australia not eager to help these people from dangerous countries? Shelam Al-Jamali, a student from Liverpool Boys High-School, escaped his home country, Iraq, after being kidnapped and held captive for 1 month. It then took his family and him 5 years to be granted refugee status.
Another student from Liverpool Boys High, Ntumbo Ngoy, escaped the Democratic Republic of the Congo 13 years ago, and he spent 10 years in detention in Zambia. There are people living in war-ridden countries right now , and are desperate to escape. So they come to Australia, where we don’t even give them safety. The Australian Government needs to start helping them, by changing it’s policies.
Australia is a lucky, wealthy, safe country, so let’s start using those qualities to help others. We need to start letting more people, much more quickly. Australia, change your policies !
Rachel
The Government must change their policies on refugees coming to Australia! We need to let more refugees into Australia, to let them escape the dangerous countries in the world. To many people living overseas, Australia is seen as a ‘safe place’ and a place that will give anyone shelter. So let’s start becoming that ‘safe place’ that will let in more people in need! They need help, and it’s only humane and responsibly to help all the millions of people fleeing unsafe situations.
From Iraq alone, there are 1.4 million refugees, but from Afghanistan, there are 2.7 MILLION people seeking refuge. How is Australia not eager to help these people from dangerous countries? Shelam Al-Jamali, a student from Liverpool Boys High-School, escaped his home country, Iraq, after being kidnapped and held captive for 1 month. It then took his family and him 5 years to be granted refugee status.
Another student from Liverpool Boys High, Ntumbo Ngoy, escaped the Democratic Republic of the Congo 13 years ago, and he spent 10 years in detention in Zambia. There are people living in war-ridden countries right now , and are desperate to escape. So they come to Australia, where we don’t even give them safety. The Australian Government needs to start helping them, by changing it’s policies.
Australia is a lucky, wealthy, safe country, so let’s start using those qualities to help others. We need to start letting more people, much more quickly. Australia, change your policies !
Rachel
It's absurd!What Australia needs to do is not delay applications for refugees, they need to let
them come, whether it be a civil war, family issues or just because they need a safe place to live. Refugee status shouldn’t take ten years, it should take a couple of days so they can get to Australia without waiting as long. Australia also needs to let more people in. Many are left in unsafe situations while on a waiting list before they can go to Australia, even after they have succeeded in applying for refugee status. Many people are in desperate need of care and it needs to be provided. If the waiting lists are shortened, then people can get here quicker and the sooner that everyone in needy countries can be provided for. If your child was in danger of being kidnapped and turned into a child soldier, would you want to wait to 10 years before being able to go to a place of safety? It’sabsurd! The governement is doing absolutely nothing about this and it is time that they should. This matter is urgent and the Australian Government of should know it. This matter needs to be solved. Joshua H Shelam's storyA little while ago I did not know what being a refugee meant. Then I experienced an interview with a refugee from Iraq, a country which has one of the highest numbers of refugees. A 17 year old boy, Shelam Al-Jumali, shared his experience of his life in Iraq before coming to Australia. Shelam had no idea what Australia would be like but now says “I am happy to have moved to Australia”. He said “Australia is very different to his home country” but why is it different?
At the age of 7 Shelam was kidnapped. He was kidnapped because of mistaken identity. A friend of his was very rich and they looked alike. Even though his parents had no money, the kidnappers demanded 10,000 dollars. The kidnappers threatened to return Shelam in pieces if the ransom wasn't paid. They kept him for a month before releasing him when Shelam's parents paid a negotiated rate. The kidnappers only fed Shelam one meal a day and threatened him with violence if he caused trouble. It was a terrifying experience for a young boy to endure. Even after this he and his family weren't safe. He described his country as a war zone, yet despite this, it took five years for him to be granted refugee status. Shelam was unable to go to school after his kidnapping. He had to work in a fruit shop to provide money for his parents who were unable to find work. Finally, Shelam travelled to Australia by a plane. He now attends high school and feels safe and secure as he never could in Iraq. Shanaya we truly are the lucky countryAustralia should allow more refugees right away. We truly are lucky country and should share that with others who are in need of it.
Shelam Al - Jumaili, 16 is a refugee from Iraq who came to Australia because of the war. He was kidnapped for a month and after he was released, had to work to get all the income for his family when he was 12. He only 3 years of schooling. It took him 5 years to be granted refugee status. Australia is a lucky country but in other countries around the world like Iraq there is war and nowhere is safe. In 3rd world countries families are struggling but can't come to Australia because we wont let them in. Shelam's family was one lucky family but there are still many others who need it. Australia should allow more refugees. Amelia kidnapped and threatenedAustralia has to let more refugees into this country. Other countries are very unsafe for people to be living and many people are not getting the education needed in life. Lately I met 2 teenage boys Shelam and Ntumbo, who travelled to Australia because it was too dangerous in their countries. Shelam was kidnapped and threatened to be cut into 5 pieces if a ransom wasn’t paid. Ntumbo’s parents fled Congo for fear that their boys would be taken as child soldiers.
Australia we have to let more refugees into Australia it will save lives and give people the education needed to live a safe and happy life. Jake Australia Wake up!Australia wake up bring in more refugees. People are dying everyday and now they're fleeing to our country. Let them in, keep them safe!
They’re fleeing to our country because of war or the militia, if you were them would you be looking for new hope? would you flee the country? Of course you would so bring in more refugees and give them a new life. Let them feel safe. Gabriel 15 million people are refugeesRefugees should be allowed in Australia. People should stop worrying about other things and think about refugees. Think about how badly they need it.
If you don’t these people would start coming in illegally. 15 million people are refugees and that is a lot of people. We want the best for refugees because refugees are people like us. They are as important as everyone in the world. There might be wars in other countries were people die or get very injured. A lot of those people want a new start and they want safety for their families. I strongly believe that refugees should be allowed in Australia were they can be safe and sound with there families and friends. Emilija kidnappers and killers lurk in the streetsAustralia must let in more refugees from other countries like Afghanistan, Syria and Africa. There are many others who share the same story as Shelam Al-Jumaili and Ntumbo Ngoy who flee their country to escape from war or unsafe environments with kidnappers and killers lurk the streets.
Shelam was living in Iraq when one day he was kinapped. He was 6 or 7 years old, waiting for his friend who was very rich. The two children looked very similar so the kidnappers took Shelam by mistake. The kidnappers said that his parents must pay $10000and if they did not, they threatened to cut him into 5 pieces and send him back in a bag. His parents were poor. It took a month before they could raise enought money. After the incident his family moved to Syria before coming to Australia. He feels so much safer in Australia than in Syria or Iraq. Ntumbo was from Congo and then moved to Zambia when he was 3 or 4 years old because of the fear of becoming a child soldier. When he went to school in a Zambian refugee camp, if you were late to school you would get whipped with a stick. He was around 12 years old when he came to Australia. He was scared to come because he spoke no English and some people told him there were no blacks in Australia. He likes Australia because it is a safe and good country. Australia needs to let in more refugees so they to can experience a safe life! Joshua K There is one thing i don't getThere is just one thing I don't get, why are we stopping refugees from coming to Australia? Why are we letting them die?
Australia should let more refugees into the country. So many people are being killed and kidnapped because their country is so dangerous. More than 2.7 Million refugees from Afghanistan seeking a better home away from the war and dangers. Refugees should be able to come and be gratned legal refugee status so they don't try to come illegally. Liam S change our policiesWake up Australia. Stop worrying about how you look! Imagine you were walking to school in Iraq when suddenly a car stops, a person gets
out, grabs you, blindfolds you and pulls you into a car and drives you to a secret location far away at a farm. This all happened to a boy named Shelam at the age of 7. If Shelam tried to talk to them they told him to shut up or they’ll kill him. He was very scared and thought he would die and never see his family again. His family was even more scared and worried. His parent also got threats by saying “if you don’t give us the money we will chop up your son and send the pieces to you in bags.”After a month they got enough money and Shelam was returned to his family. Then they had to wait 5 years to get refugee status and moved to Australia. We must change our policies to help others in need. Alex Australia is a free countryAustralia should let more refugees in. Many people in other countries are waiting for a refugee status that could take up to 10 years or more just to be granted permission. Many people in their countries need our help. These people want to flee from their country due to unsafe situations. If Australia did allow more refugees in then the people in our Australia will be able to learn more about all the different cultures and religions. Since
Australia is a free country, these refugees can express their life with others freely. These people need our help. Tim |
Shelam and Ntumbo's storyBeing kidnapped, whipped, bullied living in life of a refugee, Ntumbo Ngoy came to Australia not knowing any English at all. He was a refugee comming from the Democratic Republic of Congo fleeing from being taken as a child soldier or being forced to kill his parents
Ntumbo’s dad heard the voice of God telling him to leave Congo at once to avoid the tragedy and misery of what the kidnappers could have done. There fled to Zambia and lived in a refugee camp for 10 years before being granted refugee status and then able to come to Australia. Ntumbo thought of Australia as a country where there are only white people no black people at all he also thought Australia hated black people and would not accept them. Shelam Al-Jumali was another refugee, it took Shelam 5 years to be granted Refugee status. Shelam Al-Jumali was from Iraq and when he was just seven he got kidnapped. Shelam was waiting for a friend and kidnapped, mistaken for that friend who was very wealthy. He was kept fo r a month, fed 1 meal a day and threatened. The kidnappers demanded $10,000 but they couldn’t afford it. They were finally able to raise $3000 and Shelam was finally free. The police weren’t really able to help in this situation. Shelam and Ntumbo both think Australia government should let more refugees into our country. Ntumbo is currently 15 living in Liverpool with his parents. Shelam is 17 living with his mum, 2 sisters and 1 brother. They both feel ahppy and safe and value the education they are receiving. Cassie We must let more refugees inImagine if you had to live in a country where you had to flee, terrified of being kidnapped or killed and having nowhere to go. Imagine never feeling safe. In some countries around the world there are people that are scared and fear for their lives everyday.
These people need somewhere to go. I believe Australia needs to allow more refugees into Australia where they feel safe. It is our responsibility as a first world country to allow people who are not as fortunate as us into our country. Australia is rich and can easily afford to allow more people to live in a safe place. Some families in other countries are poor and cannot find work that the children have to work instead of attending school. They do work that an adult would normally do just so they can earn money for their family to live on. There is also the problem of danger in other countries where there is war. People live in the fear that they could get kidnapped or even killed. These people need a place where they feel safe and do not have to live in a dangerous place. It is not fair that some people in the world are living happily and get worried if their hair looks bad while other people in the world are worrying about not ever seeing their family again. Australia, WE must allow more refugees into our country!!! Rebecca Ntumbo' storyNtumbo Ngoy was 12 when he travelled to Australia for a better life. His family fled from their home in Congo to Zambia when he was 3. His parents were worried that Ntumbo and his brother would be kidnapped and turned into child soldiers. One night, Ntumbo’s father, a strong Christian, heard a voice telling him to run. He grabbed his family and fled in the night. When they returned from days of running, everything was destroyed, even their home. After that they kept running until they reached Zambia. Ntumbo and his family stayed in a refugee camp for 10 years. He said “in Zambia, when you're 10 your old enough to do farm work to help out your family”. Finally he and his family were granted refugee status and able to enter Australia.
Ntumbo remembers nothing of his original home said that he’d like to go back there and see what it’s like. He spoke no English when he came to Australia, he said “I remember being sick on the plane and they were all speaking English and I had no idea what they were saying”. Ntumbo has been in Australia for 3 years now and goes to high school in Liverpool. He hopes to become a professional soccer player. Ntumbo said “I am happy to be here, I feel safer now”. He knows that no one will kidnap him and turn him into a child soldier. Jenna why aren't we letting them in?Refugees from all over the world are fleeing their countries and coming to Australia in hope of a safer life and a brighter future. Why are we not letting them in? Shelam, who came from Iraq, was kidnapped at the age of seven. His parents were forced to pay his kidnappers $3000 or they would return him in five pieces. Ntumbo had to live in fear of becoming a child soldier and killing his own parents. Why is the government sending them back to this sort of life? It is surely not the right thing to do. 2.7 million people from Afghanistan alone are asylum seekers. Come on Australia, we must help these people!
Camille save livesYou should let more refugees into the country because it will help many families and children get to a safe and friendly environment. Our country is known as a safe and helping country for refugees. We should embrace that and let more people in. Here are some reasons to let more people: 1) We will be saving more and more lives 2) It will increase popularity for our national identity 3) It would decrease the amount of illegal boat people if it were easier to become a refugee 4) It would allow new friendships between countries form Consider these points and please let more people in. Renee The lucky countryHow would you feel if you lived in a third world country where every day you are in danger and you can’t flee from your country to a first world country to be safe? You have to stay in a country where you are always afraid of wars or being kidnapped or killed for doing nothing wrong.
Australia is the “Lucky Country” and we should let more people from less fortunate and dangerous countries into Australia. Some countries have wars going on and it is really unsafe for families and their children to live there. Why should they have to live in such bad conditions when they could be living in a country where they feel safe all the time? In countries like Congo and Iraq children are abducted and forced to be soldiers and kill people sometimes even their own parents. Others are kidnapped and parents have to pay thousands of dollars to get them back. A boy called Shelam Al-Jumali was kidnapped when he was 6 or 7 years old and he said he was very scared and they didn’t treat him well. I believe Australia must allow more refugees into Australia because of the dangerously bad conditions in their own country. Moriah Australia should be a safe haven for refugeesAustralia is a multicultural country with rights to be free and safe from dangers. Some refugees have to wait 10 years in war torn countries to be granted refugee status to be allowed in Australia. They can get kidnapped and killed, we need to let more refugees into Australia as people get taken and killed in other war torn countries. Australia should be a safe haven for all refugees.
Lachlan We have the power to helpAustralia wake up, there are people suffering and wanting to come to Australia. We must let more refugees in! There are millions of innocent people out there just trying to flee from their country so they can once again feel safe. We have the power to help them then how about we make a difference. If letting people come and live in Australia is saving them form kidnapping or murder then we should allow more refugees to come and live here.
Nishi we must let more refugees inAustralia we must let in more than 5,000 refugees into our country every year. There
are many families in war torn areas being mistreated and waiting sometimes over 10 years to be granted refugee status. There are over 15 million people all around the world waiting to be granted refugee status! Afghanistan alone has around 2.7 million people waiting to be granted refugee status. Australia Wake Up! Kristan Keep them safeThere are 15 million refugees around the world and we need to help these people. Two
of the refugees from Congo and Iraq have been able to seek refuge in Australia came to Thomas Hassall Anglican College to talk about their lives.One of them could have died just walking on the streets and the other one could have been turned into a child soldier or forced to kill his parents. These boys now attend Liverpool Boys High and feel safe. We should let more asylum seekers into the country to keep them safe. Michaela Give them a chanceWe need to allow more Refugees in Australia. We have a chance to save the innocent
lives of familiess but we choose not to. People are in the middle of war-torn countries and are terrified of dying or losing their children. For instance, two boys, Ntumbo Ngoy and Shelam Al-Jumaili are refugees. Shelam was a boy who lived in Iraq. He was kidnapped at the age of 7 and taken hostage. His parents were just as terrified as he was and payed the ransom, which was about $3000. He moved to Australia with his family for a comfortable, safe life. Ntumbo Ngoy, also a refugee, lived in Congo. He also moved to Australia to live a safe life because of war. We are a lucky country and should be loyal to others. The least we could do is give them a chance. Vincent People just need a safe placeDo you think Australia should be allowing more refugees to come to Australia? I do, because these people have risked their lives to come to Australia or a safe place because of war. Apparently the Australian Government won’t let them come to
Australia because they might be terrorists or criminals. The police should check the names of criminals from other countries because some people just need a safe place to live and we must help them. Liam P |