Success Stories

For the next 15 years, the family endured a tough existence in a refugee camp which Farida describes as extremely difficult.

The impact on her mother was heartbreaking and by the time they landed on Australian soil, her mother was battling mental and physical health issues. Farida had become her carer but also the household’s breadwinner. While she was eager and motivated to learn, the responsibility to support the family unit was mounting. Farida managed to find casual work packing fruit and vegetables but desperately longed for a career.

Farida started a course in Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE but found the online delivery particularly challenging with English as a second language. Eventually she withdrew from the course but was determined to pursue another opportunity.

In 2022, Farida contacted Northern Futures on the recommendation of a fellow student. The Northern Futures program addresses disadvantage in Geelong’s northern suburbs by delivering tailored education and employment opportunities.

For the next 15 years, the family endured a tough existence in a refugee camp which Farida describes as extremely difficult.

The impact on her mother was heartbreaking and by the time they landed on Australian soil, her mother was battling mental and physical health issues. Farida had become her carer but also the household’s breadwinner. While she was eager and motivated to learn, the responsibility to support the family unit was mounting. Farida managed to find casual work packing fruit and vegetables but desperately longed for a career.

Farida started a course in Early Childhood Education and Care at TAFE but found the online delivery particularly challenging with English as a second language. Eventually she withdrew from the course but was determined to pursue another opportunity.

In 2022, Farida contacted Northern Futures on the recommendation of a fellow student. The Northern Futures program addresses disadvantage in Geelong’s northern suburbs by delivering tailored education and employment opportunities.

After attending some career support sessions with a Work and Learning Advisor, Farida identified that caring for and interacting with elderly people in the community was a strong area of interest. From there, she set her sights on a career in the health sector. She was determined to follow her passion, and Northern Futures offered her the support and mentoring to make this dream a reality.

Farida enrolled in a Certificate III Individual Support delivered onsite at Northern Futures by The Gordon.

With the wrap-around support provided by Northern Futures, Farida’s confidence in her abilities quickly grew and she became one of the highest performers in the class, often assisting other students with their work.

Achieving her qualification was a momentous occasion for Farida and her family – it demonstrated true resilience in the face of ongoing adversity. To this day, she is so grateful that through Northern Futures she was able to gain the education she so desperately desired. Within a week of graduating, Farida secured a role at Mecwacare Elstoft house, where she had completed her practical placement. They had been impressed with her work ethic and commitment to the job.

Farida is still working as a health care worker at Mecwacare and hopes to study nursing in the future. She is saving to buy a home for her mother and brothers and working hard towards this goal. Northern Futures offered Farida the foundation for learning and represented the first step in what is sure to be a fulfilling career journey.

After attending some career support sessions with a Work and Learning Advisor, Farida identified that caring for and interacting with elderly people in the community was a strong area of interest. From there, she set her sights on a career in the health sector. She was determined to follow her passion, and Northern Futures offered her the support and mentoring to make this dream a reality.