Written by Daisy Henry for Welcome Merchant
PARA is led by Australian Palestinians and is dedicated to supporting Palestinian migrants and refugees in Australia. Their mission is to amplify Palestinian voices and provide comprehensive support for resettlement.
Rasha Abbas is the Founder and Executive Director of PARA, with extensive leadership experience in community services, dedicated to supporting migrant and refugee women and fostering youth leadership.
Welcome Merchant: This year’s Refugee Week theme is ‘Finding Freedom’. How does this connect to PARA’s work on the ground?
Rasha: At PARA, ‘finding freedom’ is about more than safety. It’s about rebuilding a life with dignity, belonging and hope. Our work focuses on helping newly arrived Palestinian refugees find not just a home, but a sense of purpose, identity and connection here in Australia.
What’s one common myth about refugees you wish more people understood? That refugees are helpless or broken. That they are somehow different from us. What we see every day are people who are incredibly resilient, resourceful and deeply motivated to contribute. They just need a fair chance and the right support to do so.
Do you have a meaningful story of your work with PARA that has stuck with you? There are so many. We’ve seen students who arrived less than a year ago now thriving at university, new businesses developed and brought to life in a matter of months, and, for example, a growing number of qualified pharmacists already contributing meaningfully to their workplaces and communities.
One story that really stays with us is of a 15-year-old boy who arrived with very little English, failed his first school exam, and within months turned things around and topped his class in advanced maths. His determination and growth show just how powerful hope, belief and support can be.
What’s one way we can support refugee communities year-round? See people as people. Say hello, take time to listen to understand, support refugee-led businesses, and create opportunities wherever you can. It’s often the small everyday gestures that have the biggest impact. Every opportunity given will be paid back tenfold.
What’s giving you hope in the refugee space right now? The general community has been incredibly supportive and stepping up in such a beautiful way. We’re seeing the best in people across the country who have donated time, expertise, and resources to help our beautiful families. And when we see the smile on their faces, the pride they have in what they’ve accomplished, and the hope they regain, it’s heart-warming beyond words.
Any other thoughts? Freedom shouldn’t be reserved for a few. It’s a right for all. At PARA, we walk alongside people as they rebuild their lives with dignity, and we hold firmly to the belief that our shared humanity is more powerful than anything that divides us.