Welcome Merchant speaks to Niro Vithyesakar, a Sri Lankan-born refugee who 15 years ago made the move to Australia. He spends his time using his hospitality and business skills to provide authentic Sri Lankan street food. At various events, he has sold his dishes through his market stall Tuka Tuka Kothuroti Man for the past 5 years. … Continue reading SRI LANKAN NEW YEAR
On Monday February 6th 2023, a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit southern Turkey in the Kahramanmaras province on the north of Gaziantep which lies near the Syrian border. It is said to have killed numerous people with the numbers rising each day. There were massive aftershocks felt which were recorded at 7.5 magnitude once again in … Continue reading Turkey-Syria EarthQuake
Here at Welcome Merchant we believe that all women deserve to live full and free lives in safety. We care deeply about the situation unfolding in Iran, and are closely following the ripple effects of Mahsa Amini’s death. Here’s an explainer on what is happening and why it matters. Photo by Artin Bakhan on Unsplash Mahsa Amini. remember … Continue reading Mahsa Amini: We stand in solidarity
Welcome Merchant gives a brief explainer of the Pakistan flood crisis, and what we plan to do to help.
Guest Post by Aubrey Cooper The typical view of an entrepreneur is an innovative person who establishes a business, manages risks, and hopefully succeeds. But for some people coming from conflict-affected and developing countries, a business is their means of livelihood when formal jobs are not available to them. As shared on The Conversation, merchants often … Continue reading The Role Refugee Entrepreneurs Can Play On the International Stage
Spring is here! Celebrate the new season and support refugee and asylum-seeker entrepreneurs while you’re at it by checking out our merchants for all your spring needs.
Guest Blog by Happy Feraren Two weeks ago, I found myself sitting in a dinner table full of strangers. To my right was a Filipina-Australian woman who founded a start-up that focuses on elevating refugee-owned businesses. To my left, a French chef who works in a tech company. In front of me, a Vietnamese researcher … Continue reading West by Southeast: Finding common ground through a Syrian-Filipino food popup
We speak to Erkmen Savaskan, architect, designer and queer activist, about the experience of leaving Turkey to live as a proudly gay man
We had the privilege to speak with Sara Saleh and Arwa Abousamra about their connection to their culture, their work, and about supporting the Palestine cause.
Sri Lanka currently is facing their worst financial crisis in decades, with experts calling the crisis unprecedented. So what’s actually going on, and what can be done to help?