WHAT'S ON AT WYNDHAM CEC

A brave woman’s journey

Settlement worker Naw Say Htoo Eh Moero understands the trials and tribulations that her clients at the Wyndham Community and Education Centre (WCEC) have experienced.

 

Say Htoo, a Karen woman born in Burma (now Myanmar), came to Australia as a refugee with her family.

She shares her story with Star Weekly ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.

In Burma, Say Htoo lived near the Karen guerrilla army’s headquarters.

When the headquarters was occupied by the Burmese Army, her family fled to Thailand and lived in Bangkok.

“Because we were illegal immigrants, we stayed in a small, one-room apartment – about three by three metres – silently, all five us, for more than three years, never leaving it once,” she said.

Her family managed to make their way to a transit camp – similar to a detention centre – and received permission come to Australia, after being granted refugee status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Upon arriving in Australia, she worked a cleaner, a kitchen hand and at Coles.

She was later employed by the Migrant Resource Centre Westgate, New Hope Foundation, Migrant Resource Centre North West and AMES.

Say Htoo joined WCEC’s team in 2009.

“It is here that I have found the place I can really give back to the community,” she said.

“I remember those difficult years – especially in Bangkok, locked in that room.

“People helped us.

“That meant such a great deal to us, you cannot imagine.

“It is now my turn to help people in need.”

In 2012, Say Htoo received a Lalor award, presented by then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

The following year, Ms Gillard presented Say Htoo with the Settlement Worker of the Year for Australia award in Canberra.

“When I think back on what I have achieved, and what I have gone through to get here, I think, ‘How did I do all this?’ Say Htoo said.

“I did all of this while being a mother of two children.

“As a woman, we are strong, passionate and resilience.

“I would like to encourage girls and women that we are the strong and we can do a lot of thing and make things happen.”

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      WHERE ARE WE?

      Wyndham CEC
      MAIN OFFICE
      20 Synnot Street, Werribee
      We are within walking distance of the
      Werribee train station and local bus stops.

      Contact 9742 4013 or

      enquiries@wyndhamcec.org.au
      for more information about
      Wyndham CEC programs
      and services.

      OTHER LOCATIONS

       

      SYNNOT STREET
      4 Synnot Street Extension
      Werribee VIC 3030
      Melways map 205 K8

       

      WAYAPERRI HOUSE
      106 Duncans Road
      Werribee VIC 3030
      Melways map 206 B9

      ABOUT WYNDHAM CEC

       

      Wyndham Community & Education Centre Inc. (Wyndham CEC) offers quality community programs and education opportunities to the local community.

      Founded over 40 years ago, Wyndham CEC is one of Victoria’s largest Adult & Community Education providers and a leader in supporting people and communities to make positive changes for their future.

      Wyndham CEC acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where Wyndham CEC operates.

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