Free AMEP childcare opens doors for migrant mothers: Haswipa chases career goals with Navitas Skilled Futures’ support
Haswipa has gained confidence in her life in Australia since joining Navitas Skilled Futures, where she has studied in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) that is funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. She said she may never have been able to complete her study were it not for the free childcare offered through the program.
When Haswipa Maimon stepped off the plane at Sydney airport on Christmas Eve 2017, she found herself in a foreign land, separated by a language barrier.
Haswipa and her daughter had moved from Thailand to join her husband, in their new home in Sydney’s west, but she spoke only a small amount of English. At home with the baby, and her husband at work, Haswipa said she felt isolated because of the language gap. When she left the house, she relied on Google Translate or an official interpreter to communicate with the world around her.
“I was nervous and many things when I arrived because I didn’t have any relationships here, only my husband. And I thought, ‘How will I settle in and build a life for me and my kids?’” she said.
“At that time, my English was not good and soon I had a second baby. I was busy looking after my son and daughter, and I tried to learn English on the internet and with videos, but it was too hard.”
Five years after she arrived, Haswipa heard about the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) and came across Navitas Skilled Futures (NSF) in Cabramatta, where she was offered childcare free of charge, funded through the AMEP, to enable her to learn English.
“I couldn’t believe they had free childcare for me, that’s part of why I love learning here,” she said.
“I wouldn’t have been able to learn without it. The childcare is next door so if there is a problem with my son I can go there and check on him.”
NSF General Manager, Jetinder Macfarlane, said the organisation is committed to supporting women and families in their settlement journey, allowing many to unlock their new life through English language tuition.
“We know that many migrant parents need to balance the demands of looking after their children with their English-language courses. That’s why the AMEP prioritises free childcare, to ensure all students have equal opportunity to improve their English and ability to connect with others.”
Jetinder Macfarlane, NSF General Manager
Career on the horizon
Thanks to the AMEP Haswipa was able to break down the language barrier that had held her back for many years. She even boosted her employability through the Pathways to Work (PTW) program, offered as part of the AMEP.
She said she learned invaluable skills during the PTW program, like writing a CV, and was also helped to obtain qualifications such as a Working with Children Check and a First Aid certificate.
As part of her course, Haswipa completed two weeks of work placement training at a childcare centre in Edmondson Park.
“I learned a lot, it was new for me,” she said.
“I learned patience, listening, how to collaborate with the child’s parents and how to encourage them. At Edmondson Park they also had students with special needs in the class. That was hard for me at first. I have to look after the special needs kids and the other children, but I loved it.”
Haswipa loved it so much, she decided to pursue work in education support. With the help of her NSF trainer, she enrolled in a qualifying course at another skills provider where she is now completing a certificate.
Haswipa said her world has opened up since taking up the AMEP at NSF and she hoped to soon secure paid work for herself.
“Now I feel much more confident. Before I only spoke a little bit of English, I mixed everything up. Nowadays I’m better, more confident. That’s why I was able to enrol in Pathways to Work and now my childcare course,” she said.
“Navitas has been really good for me. I’ve learned a lot from my teachers, and the friends I have made in my class.”
Haswipa Maimon, Adult Migrant English Program (NSF)