Story of Para

As a Tamil growing up in Sri Lanka involved repression and horror. Para Paheer was rescued after 22 hours in freezing water; the boat sank eight years ago. The bloodshed of the three-decade civil war in Sri Lanka led him to risk his life on a boat to Australia, leaving behind his pregnant wife. Paheer’s friendship with Ali Corke, a Victorian (also his sponsor), helped him during his decade-long search for safety, get through the pain of waiting eight years, and meet his family. To mark the poignant anniversary, Corke and Paheer are launching a book, The Power of Good People, to acknowledge those who helped him in big and small ways. To everybody, all he has to say is Nandri (Tamil for thank you).

Written by Rethinking Refugees

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