Monthly Archives: July 2025

Overview Since 2019, South East Community Links (SECL) has delivered the Community Capacity Building (CCB) program, empowering culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities across Melbourne’s southeast. Focused on fostering grassroots leadership, the program selects aspiring leaders from emerging community groups including Afghan, African, Arabic-speaking, Indian, Iranian, Nepalese, and Sri Lankan backgrounds, to develop their governance,…

Background Asadullah*, a 19-year-old, arrived in Australia in mid-2024 from Afghanistan under a humanitarian visa, accompanied by his mother and older siblings. Sponsored by his eldest brother, the family settled in a private rental home, seeking safety, stability, and a better life. Like many newly arrived young people, Asadullah dreamed of learning English, finding work,…

Background Fatima* arrived in Australia from Afghanistan in 2021, fleeing conflict and displacement amid the COVID-19 pandemic. With no formal education and limited English proficiency, she faced overwhelming challenges navigating Australian systems. Like many newly resettled refugees, Fatima relied heavily on others to interpret official documents and apply for government support. However, this dependence left…