My New Family
Meilian Deng

I came to Australia on 26 October 2012 to start anew.  When I arrived in Sydney, at that time, my body, mind and psyche had been so hurt, that I wouldn’t look after myself.  However I was lucky, I got alot of help from many government departments.  At that time, I especially asked Australian Red Cross for help.  They helped me to find a place to live.  They quickly found my present dwelling, which was Nagle House.

I remember that day was 15 November 2012.  A Red Cross worker assisted me to get there.  Two of the leaders, Lorraine and Jo met us enthusiastically and help me.  I also met a kind lady Sister Anne, other volunteers and housemates, who were all very friendly.  I felt a warmth I hadn’t felt for a very long time.  Nagle House was good for me.  I had gained a new family.

This family of mine has many brothers and sisters.  Most of them came from different countries, so we are a big international family.  We will have dinner together every week.  We also celebrate special days.  Last year, my family held a Christmas party at Redfern Park.  All the people got together and experienced the excellent atmosphere.  We also prepared to say hello to the New Year!  We had a holiday in January.  We went to the Saint Ignatius College on Australia day weekend.  We played various games and did some sports with the students.  We felt young again.  Last weekend was Easter holiday, my family went camping at a farm.  We held a traditional Catholic ceremony for Easter Day.  We also had a band to accompany when we sang hymns.  What a great and harmonious group we were!  Then we played some games.  For example, table tennis and pool.  A volunteer brought the badminton gear for me.  I could play my favourite sport here.  So I played badminton with some people and we enjoyed ourselves very much.  We are an active, happy family indeed.

In this family, volunteers take care of me very well.  They look after my life as well as my mental health.  They always talk to me and help me to improve my English.  I remember that we had dinner together one day and somebody asked me, “Did you make a new friend in your class?” I said sadly, “No, I didn’t, because my classmates all have family in Australia.  They will leave the classroom at once for home when we finish the class.  It is only me who does not have any family.”  Another volunteer, Kevin said, “ Who said you haven’t got family members?” “We are all your family.”  When I heard that, I was very moved.  They indeed are.  Last week, Kevin’s wife invited me to visit their house and led me to walk along the Sydney coast.  I enjoyed myself a lot there, because I did exercises and experienced a wonderful view with this lady.  They more important thing was she helps me a lot.  She is like my mother, how Fantastic!  Another volunteer Maria told me, I must come to Melbourne to visit her.  She will be very happy!  One more volunteer asked me to drink coffee when I finish my class.  So I am living with a family which is full of love.

Every family needs to be emotionally close.  My family members care and cherish each other.  We celebrate everyone’s birthday.  We made a Birthday card and wrote beautiful wishes, sent some special presents and sang the birthday song, then we had the birthday cake together.  Last month on Good Friday, my family had a very special thing.  At that night, we helped each other to wash feet.  In this thing, it could convey the amazing love and made us still closer.  What a splendid family!

This is my family, I love it!  It is an important part of my life.  Wherever I go, it will always be in my life.