In 2018, Kamar arrived in Australia on a humanitarian visa from Syria with her husband and two children. Faced with the challenge of no knowledge of English, Kamar enrolled in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) at Navitas Skilled Futures (NSF) at Bankstown, determined to overcome her language barriers and build a brighter future for her family.
The AMEP is a program that’s funded by the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs and supports the English language settlement needs of migrants and refugees. In addition, it provides a community to those arriving on these shores, as Kamar explained.
“I couldn’t understand any English at the beginning. NSF Bankstown became my second home, providing not only English language support, but also a warm and supportive community of teachers, students, and friends with similar life experiences.”
NSF Bankstown student, Kamar
One of the significant features of Kamar’s learning journey was the inclusion of Arabic bilingual support in the beginner class. This assistance, coupled with the dedication of her teachers and the welcoming atmosphere among students, played a crucial role in Kamar’s language development.
“I am currently at English level 2 because of my amazing teachers,” she said. “Miss Vandini is one of my favourite teachers as she has given me confidence.”
Kamar’s determination and hard work led her to the English for Citizenship class, which resulted in Kamar passing the citizenship test and becoming an Australian citizen. “I am a proud Australian now,” Kamar enthused. “My family are happy in this country and are excited about the future.”
“Kamar’s journey embodies the core values of Navitas Skilled Futures – empowering individuals through education. We are thrilled to have played a role in supporting Kamar with her English language proficiency, while also helping her secure her Australian citizenship.”
NSF General Manager, Jetinder Macfarlane
This year celebrates 75 years of the AMEP and 25 years of NSF’s delivery of the program, while providing support and assistance to over 250,000 migrants and refugees since 1998. To celebrate these milestones, NSF is hosting ‘The AMEP & Me’ art exhibition, which showcases the journeys of AMEP students, highlighting the program’s impact on their lives and their communities.
‘The AMEP & Me’ exhibition will be on display at the Fairfield Central Shopping Centre from 19 to 31 December 2023 and will then be moving through Sydney and the ACT over the coming 12 months. To find out more visit bit.ly/amep-and-me