Uprooted from her home as an infant, Boe Htoo grew up in a refugee camp and found her way to become a nurse helping others with their healthcare needs in camp.
Now in Australia, the Karen refugee continues to help fellow refugees in a new way – the roll out of a refugee cancer screening project in Bendigo.
For Boe, getting to this point took grit, resilience and a strong commitment to education.
“I came to Australia in May 2018 with two children; my parents are still living in the camp. When I first came to Australia the biggest challenge was starting a new life because everything was new for me,” Boe said.
“My refugee camp qualification was not recognised, and my English was also not enough to use, so I enrolled to study English through the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) at Bendigo TAFE.
“During my studies at TAFE, I most enjoyed practicing speaking with my teachers and my friends who are from different backgrounds. It was a safe environment and all the teachers were nice.”
Inspired to resume her work in helping fellow refugees, Boe began to explore vocational courses in health, including the Certificate III in Health Service Assistance (HLT33115), while continuing to learn English.
“I had a chance to do the Health Service Assistant test. I passed the test and started the Certificate III in Health Service Assistance at TAFE,” Boe said.
“I studied two courses at the same time. It was hard for me, but I didn’t want to let this opportunity pass.”
Boe went on to complete courses in individual support and disability, and also returned to Bendigo TAFE’s AMEP classroom as a volunteer.
“I assisted students who had a language barrier, interpreted between teachers and students, and supported them with doing their tasks and extra help if needed,” Boe said.
“The volunteer work was very beneficial for me. It made me more confident and helped me with self-improvement. I could also assist people who needed help.”
Boe’s drive to establish a new life in Australia has led her to gain full-time employment at Bendigo Community Health Services supporting other refugees.
Her current work involves facilitating activities to establish enablers and reduce barriers to improve cancer care within the Karen community.
“I inform the project from a refugee lived experience, including the codesign of culturally safe and easy-to-understand cancer awareness information,” Boe said.
“I love this position; it is meaningful to me and helpful for the refugee community.
“I have experienced a few patients who have had cancer in the refugee camp; they didn’t have an opportunity to get treatment and care, follow-up investigation or to do screening because the cost was very expensive.
“I chose this job to support and to provide for my community as much as I can; I wish everyone can be safe from this disease.”
Boe has some advice for refugees to Australia who are navigating the challenges of learning a new language:
“Don’t worry about the language barrier, you can get support from the people around you. You are not alone,” she said.
“We are not refugees anymore, because we are in the right place, the safe and peaceful place that we have dreamed of and expected.”
Bendigo TAFE is a provider of the Australian Government’s Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) which provides free English language lessons to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants aged 18 years and over.
