When Nar Moe was only 7 years old, her family fled the civil war in north-west Thailand, eventually seeking refuge in Australia after living in a refugee camp.

She had never been to school or could speak English.

“I had to immerse myself around the people I don’t know, and the language was the biggest barrier,”Nar said.

“My English was very limited, and I had to learn it by myself by watching English practice videos every day for two hours.”

Today language is no barrier as the Keira High School student proudly shares her experience with classmates at the Refugee Challenge.

Led by Year 11, peers move through a series of stations where they are introduced to students from refugee backgrounds, who explain what it was like to flee their homeland, the challenges and their journey.

Refugee Ku Mima-Fo graduated from Keira High School in 2021 and is now studying law and international studies at the University of Wollongong but still finds time to return to share her story.

“I think it is really important for students to really hear about refugees and asylum seekers and talk to someone who has lived that experience,” Ku said,

Keira High School Principal Scott Frazier said around 10 per cent of the student population at Keira High School were refugees, with almost 42 per cent having a language background other than English.

“The Refugee Challenge truly enriches our school culture, “Mr Frazier said

“It is a chance for all students to listen; understand and connect with stories they may not have encountered before.

“Over the course of the term, our year 11 student facilitators have had to commit to intensive workshops exploring refugee experiences, developing effective presentation skills, and learning how to guide difficult yet vital conversations.”

Developed in partnership with Wollongong City Council Community Development Team, Wollongong Youth Services, and MCCI, the program aims to raise awareness of refugee issues and experiences among young people.

The Refugee Program was piloted in 2015 and, more than a decade on, is more impactful than ever, helping build empathy through a respectful, student-driven process based on lived experience.