VoRTCS - Volunteer Refugee Tutoring & Community Support Program

How can we best help our family?

The best way that you can help your refugee family is firstly to assist them to learn English so that they can function well in society. This will enhance their independence and increase their likelihood of obtaining good jobs or pursuing further education.

Your family will be very lucky if you not only assist them with English, but also be their friend. Many of these families experience racism in their new life in Australia, and it is important that they don’t think that these attitudes are common to the entire population. You can have a lot of fun with your refugee family, and you will soon discover that may of the families are incredibly welcoming and will ‘adopt’ you as part of their extended family if you let them.

Working with a refugee family is also an invaluable way for you to learn more about another country and culture, and to share what you love about Australia with this family.

While you are working with your refugee family, it is a good idea to keep an eye out for areas where they might need additional support. For example, the family might not have enough warm clothes for winter, or the mother might need help explaining a telephone bill, or the family might need a new fridge. We can refer the families to other organisations who will help with all of these things. Also, keep your eyes open for any safety issues around the house, particularly if there are young children.

If you come across any issues that you would like further advice on, or need to refer your family for more help, please contact your VoRTCS team on tutoring@refugeetutoring.org

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