These days, 26-year-old Nazir is happy to be busy.
Working as an apprentice builder in Hobart's suburbs keeps his mind off the past couple of years.
"I was working for the government in Afghanistan when the Taliban took over," Nazir remembers.
"A lot of people, they had to leave, especially those people who worked for the government."
He received an evacuation letter from the Australian government, but by then, the situation in Afghanistan had escalated.
"At that moment it was terrible, the situation," Nazir said.
"The embassy was closed, the airport was damaged as well. There was no chance to get a flight."
He fled Afghanistan via Pakistan, making a month-long journey across the border, without any friends or family.
When he arrived in Australia in November 2021, it was bittersweet. He had left behind his entire life.
"[My friends] were killed in mosques, in uni, at schools, everywhere," Nazir said.
"I was happy because I survived physically. But I was sad — I lost a lot of my friends."
He had to begin the overwhelming task of rebuilding his life, but luckily, there were people willing to help.
The Multicultural Accommodation and Learning Centre, operated by the Migrant Resource Centre, provides accommodation and support for new migrants.
Located in Goodwood, in Hobart's northern suburbs, the facility combines a mix of services, including connection to employment, opportunities to gain skills and work experience, as well as participation in networking and mentoring.
It hosts playgroups, gardening, sewing and craft sessions to help migrants build a sense of community.
Classes in digital skills, English and numeracy are also available on-site.
'Safe environment to meet'
The manager for community programs, accommodation and learning programs, Mae De Sesto, said having all the services in one place made them accessible.
"Having the accommodation when they arrive in Australia addresses one of the basic physiological needs such as shelter and safety, so they can work towards building the skills and knowledge for them to settle successfully," Ms De Sesto said.
"It provides a safe environment for them to meet other people as well."
Since opening two years ago, the centre has housed 160 people, while over 200 have taken advantage of the learning program.
"A lot of clients in the accommodation are from refugee and humanitarian entrant backgrounds," Ms De Sesto said.
"Most of them have been displaced from their home countries because of conflict or persecution or even human rights abuses so, for them, coming to Australia is an opportunity to pick themselves up again, and find a place to live safely."
In the first two weeks in Tasmania, Nazir was able to live at the facility in Goodwood.
"That was perfect, so there were some people, they guide me, they took me shopping, [taught me] how to shop," he said.
"It's completely different when you come from Afghanistan to here."
Helping fix skills shortage
Staff also helped him apply for his studies at TAFE, one of his main goals since moving.
Being an apprentice is different to his life back home, but that is something he is grateful for.
After being told there was strong demand for construction workers in Tasmania, he decided he would help fill the gap.
"I have done a Bachelor degree in Afghanistan, I was in the IT field," he said
"But now, I want to forget those things I did in the past, I want to start a new life in a new environment," he said.
Overcoming loneliness
When Ukrainian refugee Anastasiia first made contact with the Migrant Resource Centre, she was thrilled to discover the person who would be helping her was also Ukrainian — it felt like a "signal from the universe".
"I was so excited to meet her," she said.
"When I arrived here, the people were so open and lovely to help, I didn't think I was really alone in another country … I didn't have these feelings."
The graphic designer left behind what she described as a "perfect" life before the war began, one that she now truly appreciates.
These days she likes to create art that represents her connection to her mother country.
She has been working with the centre's Learning and Employment Project Officer Darya Kuznyetsova to obtain an art grant, while undertaking English classes.
She has also delivered art workshops to other new arrivals.
"She's so talented but also eager to learn," Ms Kuznyetsova said.
"I have a lot of clients from very different backgrounds and I love working with all of them.
"However, I think for clients as well if they can see someone who speaks their language at a place they're getting support, it's a whole different impression, whole different story."
