Qaali – Social Worker Assistant, Bilingual Worker
Qaali had support from CRS as a client and wanted to give back to the community. She says she has lots of “hats” in her roles at CRS. She joined the team in about 2010, firstly as a Bilingual Worker, before becoming a Social Worker Assistant. She now works with people who have been affected by the 15th March attacks, while also continuing to work as a Bilingual Worker as well as in Health Promotion.
Qaali says a highlight for her is seeing their clients become independent and grow as well as successfully integrate into society. When she was a client, she felt that there was always somebody at CRS who could support her without judgement. As a worker, she loves that there is always somebody there to support her and to give guidance. She says, “CRS is like a family.”
Qaali lost a child and during that time CRS provided support to her. She says there was always somebody from CRS who would come and support her, somebody who she could trust. She says she comes from a culture where you don’t talk about your emotions, but she is grateful to have had CRS’ support when she needed it the most.
“I think I wouldn’t have been able to cope, if I didn’t have the support of CRS.” She says.
As an employee, Qaali says she doesn’t feel lonely at work. “I have co-workers who support me, they know my children, they ask me how my kids are. It feels family orientated.”
When asked about CRS’ 30th Anniversary, Qaali says, “I really would like to say whoever set up this organisation and the dream they had, I think has come true. The goals they had to support people to settle in the country who don’t have a family, don’t know what to do and fight for their rights, support them emotionally, physically, mentally, I would like to thank them so much. CRS has created lots of opportunities for refugee background families. They employed me because of my language, not because I graduated with a degree. I am grateful and I’m thankful and I would just like them to continue. The job they do, it’s worth it, they’re a valued member of the community. They stand up for migrant and refugee background families, they walk on the same path as we do.”
