As a child in Afghanistan and Pakistan dodging bombs and
persecution, Nasiba Nazari and her family could not have imagined
the peace and harmony that awaited them when they arrived in Albany, WA.
Since moving to Australia, Nasiba wanted to improve her English
and literacy skills, and with the help of the Albany Read Write Now
volunteer service, she was able to do that. |  |
“Meeting my Read Write Now tutor Jane Crossing at Albany TAFE in April 2021 has made such a difference to my life, making it much easier to settle in and learn different ways of doing things."
 | Nasiba and Jane developed a strong relationship over the years.
Nasiba introduced Jane to other Afghani women in Mt Barker
who wanted to learn English.
RWN had no tutors in Mt Barker so Jane, some Albany
RWN tutors and some of Jane’s friends would drive to the town
each week to assist these women – and one man – practise their English.
Timing was always an issue, as many of the Afghanis
worked on the vineyards so could only meet late in the day.
The Mt Barker Community Centre provided a venue and
the program operated successfully despite the 110 km round trip required. |
Nasiba and Jane remain firm friends, even after Nasiba moved to Perth to further her studies. Nasiba told Jane how she was keen to learn to swim. Jane’s daughter in Perth found a free swimming course for Nasiba to attend, so the RWN support keeps happening in a different way.
One of the great joys Nasiba has gained from her time with RWN is the ability to continue with her love of writing – albeit in a new language. “Now I like writing stories about my childhood in the past and coming to Australia and the different culture here and learning lots of new things. I am doing this course in individual support. After that, I want to work with elderly people.”
“I might move back to Albany one day. It would be nice to return to a smaller community environment. I miss Albany.”
Read Write Now Tutor Jane says she has gained as much from the RWN program.
“When we moved to suburbia, and I heard about Read Write Now, I realised it would be a great way to help people with reading/writing difficulties. I completed the training program with RWN in Albany 7 or 8 years ago, and was allocated my first student shortly after that.” Jane says she was anxious at the beginning of her new-found career, but was soon put at ease by her students.
Jane first met Nasiba early in 2021 when she had been in Australia for only six months. “We had weekly sessions at Albany TAFE campus, as she was a student there at the time. As time went on, Nasiba shared with me more of her life, and that of her family, as refugees in Pakistan. In the beginning, Nasiba was quiet and shy. It has been a delight to see her open up to become a confident young woman with good English language skills. We’ve enjoyed learning about each other’s cultures. I am so proud of her achievements and her attitude to make the most of living in Australia for herself and also her fellow Afghanis.”
“Being involved with RWN has been so rewarding for me, and so necessary to help others with skills to improve their lives. The ability to teach would be an asset, but as I am definitely not a teacher, I think the desire to help other people is the crucial element. I have had three students over the years and in every case we have learned from each other in many ways."
Read Nasiba's full story