In honour of World Refugee Day (20 June), we are sharing the stories of courageous refugee students from war-torn Iraq who have been welcomed into the Sydney Catholic Schools family.

Karam Shashah was forced to flee his Iraqi-Kuridish town of Arbil in 2014 after the bloody Iraqi civil war engulfed his country.

“My village was attacked – in the same day me, my grandfather, uncle, my parents and sister went out of the village,” says 14-year-old Karam, a tinge of sadness visible in his countenance.

Karam’s family lived for five years in Lebanon before settling in Australia.

The 2020 Refugee Week theme is Celebrating the Year of Welcome: Online. Image: Wylly Suhendra on Unsplash.

Karam is currently in Year 9 at one of Sydney Catholic Schools’ (SCS) three Catholic Intensive English Centres, at Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield.

Others are at Mary Mackillop Catholic College Wakeley and Holy Spirit Catholic College Lakemba.

“I miss my house, my friends, and my village,” Karam says sombrely. Smiling softly, he offers this observation: “Here (in Australia), life is good.”

Karam’s classmates have similar stories that leave you in awe of their resilience.

“I miss my house, my friends, and my village” – Karam Shashah

Despite having faced adversities they focus on their positive adjustments which include the ease with which they are picking up English.

“I learnt English from YouTube,” Year 10 student Noel Jamil said. “And zombie games,” he added, breaking into a grin.

Year 9 student Yohan Al-Lao said listening to music and watching movies has helped with his English. That, and playing video games. It …