Dear Valued Readers,
Welcome to the August edition of our monthly newsletter. This month we focus on the Nauru files, with particular emphasis on the sheer volume of reports that remain to be investigated by the Australian authorities. We also hear about the first ever Refugee Olympic Team, and the failure of the mainstream Australian media to adequately report on their stories of resilience.
Finally, we provide further inspiring refugee success stories, proof that refugees and asylum seekers can contribute significantly to Australian society.
I am pleased to announce that as of 3 September 2016, AFFMA will be in its fourth year of operation. This is an historic achievement, particularly as we are an organisation that does not receive any public funding. As such, we need your donations to continue our invaluable work. Unlike many other refugee and asylum seeker support services, AFFMA is solely run by volunteers. Everyone involved in AFFMA, from the office staff to the migration agents, volunteer their time and experience to assist in this worthwhile cause. It truly is a remarkable feeling to help an asylum seeker obtain protection in Australia, particularly when all those involved volunteered their time for the cause.
All of us at AFFMA appreciate the difficulties of managing family, work, and social lives in today’s fast-paced society. If you are not yourself able to volunteer in this field, but are passionate about the issues the AFFMA newsletter canvases, or simply support a more compassionate response to the humanitarian crisis here in Australia, we call on you to donate to AFFMA to ensure we can continue to provide care and support to refugees and asylum seekers.
The initial funds we secured in 2013 to keep AFFMA going have long since dried up. Every donation over $2 is tax deductible and will allow AFFMA to continue providing services to some of the most vulnerable individuals in our current political climate. Any donation is greatly appreciated. Please consider making a contribution.
I wish everyone a pleasant month.
Joël Gédéon, Juris Doctor, Master HumRights Law, Master Int’l Law, DipLegPrac. JP
CEO
Pro Bono Migration Agent
MARN: 1066986
