Rosalie’s journey: Bold beyond borders

Rosalie’s life: a voice for the voiceless: 

Before arriving in Australia, Rosalie was already living a life of impact.

In her home country, she worked in an NGO supporting and demanding justice for women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and people living with disabilities.

Rosalie saw her own education and independence as a responsibility — a tool to uplift others. 

“I had a little chance to get educated to get where I am, but there are those still [in crisis]… So let me try to do something because I know what they are going through.”

“As a local NGO we knew the ground, the pain, and the solutions. Women and girls’ lives matter; when one is sexually abused, the soul of a nation is wounded.”

Forced to flee danger

Because of her work, Rosalie and her partner found themselves in danger. They had to leave their home. 

But arriving in Australia brought a new set of struggles.

“The hardship is real when you are a person seeking asylum in a new country. You don’t know anyone.”

It was a cold September and they had nowhere to go, no food, no support.

“We were freezing, starving, carrying blankets, not knowing where to end up. It was so hard.”

That was when they were connected with the Asylum Seekers Centre.

“They straight away welcomed us and gave us food. Giving some money in order for us to rent properly and get settled down definitely.”

From there, the Centre provided weekly rental support, job assistance, and referred them to other organisations to help with bond payments. 

Rosalie and her partner started to rebuild.

Building a new life: active, skilled, and empowered

Rosalie is still on a bridging visa and waiting for a decision on her protection application. 

Although still in limbo, she continues to find ways to learn, grow, and contribute.

She is currently learning how to drive and also undertaking aged care training. 

“When I am done with that, I can go through the disability training because it’s like the job we were doing back home.” 

“I want to continue with women as well as childcare or child protection training. That’s my passion.” 

Rosalie also currently works as a library assistant at a private girls’ school, a role she finds deeply rewarding.

Speaking up, lifting others

Outside of the library walls, Rosalie is making an impression in the school.

“The school asked me to speak about my life.” 

Speaking to over a hundred young women, she shared her story as well as the violence and injustice in her home country.

“Over eight million people are displaced internally and most of them are women, girls, and children. In refugee camps, we women face poor hygiene, no privacy, and high risk of assault.”

She recalled how the students were surprised.

“They live in a bubble — they don’t know what happens outside.”

Rosalie shares how engaged the students were. 

“Even after the talk, when the girls see me walking around the school, they stop me to ask more questions. How are the women? What else are they going through?”

Through referrals from the Asylum Seekers Centre, Rosalie also connected with other community organisations like Thread Together and House of Welcome. These helped her with clothing, housing, and further opportunities to speak out.

She’s now using her voice to raise awareness about the challenges people seeking asylum face.

“I want to continue educating women and girls on their rights and bodily autonomy, involve men and traditional leaders in change, support community awareness campaigns, report and support survivors with medical and psychological care. Because every girl deserves to be whole.” 

Through storytelling and public speaking, Rosalie educates and inspires compassion.

“I’m a survivor. I survived what women go through. I’m proud of that.”

And to the many who now know her story, Rosalie is much more — a leader, a reminder of resilience, and a symbol of strength.