A survivor success story is always a story worth telling. This post depicts how the simple success of finding your way can have an incredible impact on a survivors confidence.
I consider myself a proficient public transport user, but when I went to Melbourne for the first time I was like a deer in the headlights. Staring at tram maps, trying to figure out which way was up, which line should I take, where should I get off, am I even going in the right direction!? Maybe you can relate?
Imagine that feeling, now add the inability to speak the language, limited access to technology and having no contacts in the city. Next add the layers of complexity that come with having experienced slavery; fear, trauma, a shift from your movements being controlled to complete autonomy, but unsure how to operate in this new found freedom. That is what our survivors experience every time they walk out their front door. Simply accessing public transport can be a battle, let along engaging in a class, excursion or appointment.
The Survivor School
At the Survivor School we aim to make this transition as easy as possible. We meet new students in locations they are familiar with and do the public transport journey with them, showing them how it all works, and repeating this as many times as needed until their confidence has increased. We provide Opal cards so they can attend classes, for many public transport is a luxury they can’t afford.
Recently a survivor had to meet me in a new location, the journey involved a train, bus and walk. We were unable to meet and do the journey together. So she decided she wanted to try and find her way on her own. She courageously navigated the public transport system (without google maps!), and confidently asked for directions to make her way to the activity location.
When I saw her she was beaming with pride, as I congratulated her on making it she told me she wanted to challenge herself even if it was going to be difficult. Her ability to do this task on her own has increased her confidence and she is ready for more new adventures. Now that is a great story of success for one of our survivors.
It these seemingly small wins that we love at The Freedom Hub. They are the building blocks on the path to confident and independent living. Our Survivor School is set up to ensure we have many survivor success stories. It is privately funded by our social enterprises and philanthropist who generously donate. Our school is currently supported by 100Women grant in Qld and Westpac Change Makers grant in NSW.
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