Isolated … Sydenham refugee Malka Husic faces new barriers in her adopted country. 60501
By Belinda Nolan
The Sydenham grandmother was 42 when war broke out in her homeland of Bosnia in 1992.
Now 60, Ms Husic continues to have frightening flashbacks of violence she witnessed in her home country, of watching her fellow countrymen and women murdered and maimed.
Ms Husic and her daughter hid in the fields while Serbian soldiers attacked her home town, Bosanska Gradiska.
Her husband had earlier left to help a friend on a neighbouring property, but never returned.
Ms Husic never saw him again and has been unable to piece together what happened to him.
She fled to Germany in 1992 and arrived in Australia in 1999.
The Sydenham woman is one of millions of refugees displaced during the Bosnian War.
But life in Australia has its own challenges.
Despite living in the country for more than a decade, Ms Husic has had difficulty adapting to her new life.
She is unable to speak English or drive, and is often afraid to leave the house.
Speaking through an interpreter, Ms Husic said she felt isolated and trapped and did not know where to turn for help.
Ms Husic said she had tried to learn English but her efforts were hampered by extreme bouts of depression and trauma brought on by her harrowing experiences.
“I am not the same person I was because of what I’ve gone through,” Ms Husic said.
“I have never been able to pick up the pieces.”
Ms Husic shared her story with Star to help highlight the plight of refugees, who face many challenges in their new country.
She is hoping to save up enough money to return to Bosnia to be with her family.
Anyone wishing to donate to help refugees like Ms Husic can contact Footscray’s Australian Croatian Community Services Centre on 96895811. Refugees in need can call the Refugee Council of Australia on 9600 3302.
