This is a project of:


Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition

 

The Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition (VIRWC) is the peak representative advocacy body for immigrant and refugee women in the state. The VIRWC is affiliated with national and international women’s networks whose goals are to empower women to become ‘change agents’ of society.

For more information about the VIRWC,
please visit our website www.virwc.org.au,
email us at virwc@virwc.org.au
or ring us on (03) 9654 1243.

 

Funded by the City of Melbourne’s 2010 Community Cultural Development Arts Grant Program

 

Supported by

Kusum Tamang

I am from Nepal, which is well-known for its most treasured asset, Mt. Everest. It is a beautiful country with its natural landscape and friendly people. It holds very old and rich history of the culture and tradition and still beholds some of those beautiful traditions.

I am studying Diploma in Community Welfare in a private college in the city. I am very passionate about working in the welfare field as soon as I finish in my studies. I will finish my studies in July. I am also working part time in an English Language School which teaches English to new Migrants and refugees.

I started volunteering for the City of Melbourne from the beginning of my time in Melbourne. I was actively involved in the “International Student welcome event” held in 2009 in Melbourne and also the “Lord Mayor’s Welcome to Students” 2010 as a team leader, and will continue to in the future. I am also currently volunteering in a City Ambassador Programme run by the Melbourne City council.

As a part of my course placement, I was working in the Couch “International Student Centre” where I dealt with many International students, providing them with information about different services and also with basic services like internet, food as well as running events.

I was also a participant of the Essendon Football club’s “Global Programme” for international students 2009.

I was one of the participants of the International Students Roundtable held in Canberra which was led by the Hon. Deputy Prime minister Julia Gillard, and also a part of the discussion group for the recently released “Baird’s Report” in International Student Education and Support in Australia.

I love reading books, especially crime and fantasies. I love writers like Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and many others. I love to travel around different parts of the world, learning about people, culture, food and beliefs. I like gardening, shopping, visiting museums, art centres and also volunteering for different programmes.

I believe that developing yourself spiritually and consistently learning and developing ourselves would also help us work efficiently and build our ability to work with the other people in any situation. I believe in loving Mother Nature, creating bonds between people through love, trust and humility.