Refuge #20 Factories for peace of mind
After Suthan fled the Sri Lankan civil war, he sought asylum in Australia. But without valid visa, he was taken immediately to immigration detention.
Refuge #19 Escape to nowhere
In 1995, during the Sri Lankan civil war, Suthan's mother sends him away. At the Columbo airport, Suthan is handed over to people smugglers.
Refuge #18 King Coconut and the Mango Tree
Previously: Suthan puts me in touch with Barbara, telling me that she is like a mother to him. After Barbara and I meet for coffee, she emails me her thesis, Suthan’s...
Refuge #17 Broom Cupboard
Barbara and family visit the Baxter Immigration Detention Centre in Port Augusta and around 2004 she meets newly released asylum seekers in Adelaide.
Refuge#16 Like my mother
A boy loses his mother. A mother loses her son. Through the pain of loss, Barbara becomes like a mother to a young Tamil refugee and writes his story.
Refuge #15 Blood and Sweat Money
Years of work and study converge in a highly profitable way for Josie's employer. Post-Tiananmen, Australia shows compassion to the Chinese students reaps economic benefits....
Refuge #14: Ants everywhere
Previously in Refuge #13 Lady Camellia and Mother Hubbard: Josie describes how an people read and copied banned books in secret during the Cultural Revolution. Her life story...
Refuge #13 Lady Camellia and Mother Hubbard
Josie names the Western books - many French classics - that she read and copied during the Cultural Revolution. Later, scar literature evolved in China, a response to those...
Refuge #12 White Fungus
Previously: After migrating to Australia, I begin teaching English at a vocational college. My students prompt me to write a collection of refugee stories. A former Australian...