By Natalie Gallenti
WHEN Ajah Dau Chawuoch was separated from her parents as a terrified six-year-old, she thought she would never hear the comforting sound of her mother’s voice again.
Almost 13 years on, and the Sunshine resident can finally pick up the phone and tell her beloved mother that she “loves her and misses her”.
But for over a decade the Sudanese refugee endured more anguish and heartache than most people could bear.
In 1998, Ajah was torn from her mother’s grasp and narrowly escaped death as war ravaged her country.
She ran from soldiers and evaded gunfire – and has the scars to prove it.
A woman took the frightened child under her wing and finally reunited her, along with her four siblings, with an uncle in Uganda. The family then made their way to Australia in 2008.
Through all this, young Ajah longed to know what happened to her parents and dreamt of meeting them one day.
“I didn’t even know they were alive,” she said.
“I didn’t remember them and I didn’t think I would see them again.
“But I would see people with their mum and I always wished I had my mum. I would think about her all the time.”
A determined Ajah never gave up hope and with the help of a Red Cross worker, who spent countless hours searching for her parents in both Sudan and Uganda; she finally received the call she had been waiting for.
It was then that the surprised teenager found out she had a younger brother.
“I was so surprised. It was a wonderful feeling.
“I have been so much happier since I found her. My mum is so important to me and I know I am important to her.”
Now the Gilmore College student looks forward to the day when she can hold her mother’s hand.
“There is a good chance she will come out here as a refugee. We are just waiting on approval.
“It’s really hard knowing she is so far away. Life has been difficult for her. I want her to have a better life.”
And the Year 12 student not only wants to make her mother’s life better, but also the lives of other refugees and that’s why she hopes to study Law next year, while still juggling a blossoming modelling career.
“I want to help people.
“I didn’t think my life would be ok, but I never gave up and now my dream has come true.”
As for the welcoming her mother will receive if her application to move to Australia is successful, Ajah said with an amazing grin, it would be “one big party”.
