Mirben and her daughters arrived in Australia in December 2023 with nothing.
Twelve months on, the family is making a new home in one of UnitingSA’s network of social and affordable houses.
Originally from Venezuela, Mirben and her younger sibling left their homeland seven years ago due to the social, political and economic challenges facing the country.
“I left my children with my mother and went in search of a job. The girls were four and six, so that was really hard.”
Mirben went to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, while her younger brother travelled to Argentina.
But the new life she hoped for was turned upside down when she was kidnapped.
“I am a survivor of human trafficking,” says Mirben.
She was held against her will for three months before she managed to escape.
“Soon after that I was able to get a job in a bar. The owner was a lovely man. His family helped me to bring my children out. They call him ‘Papa’ and he is like their grandfather.”
In Trinidad and Tobago, only the wealthy can afford an education, so Mirben would teach her children English at home each day before she went to work.
Despite having a job, Mirben felt unsafe and feared for the safety of her two girls. With the support of her employer, Mirben applied through the United Nations for a humanitarian visa and arrived in Australia a year ago.
“We had to start from scratch. We knew no one.”
The family was placed in temporary accommodation – a shared house with four other families.
“I’ve never had to share before, so that was hard.
“When I was offered this place – I said ‘Yes! Yes please.'”
The family moved into their new townhouse in November.
“I love the kitchen. The kitchen is the heart of the home. I love to cook Latin food and keep those roots to home.”
Mirben says that one of the best things about being in Australia is feeling safe.
“I can breathe. I can go anywhere. I can drop the children at school and know they will be safe.”
Mirben plans to apply for citizenship and hopes one day she will be able to afford her own home.
“Sometimes I think bad things happen, but good things can come out of it,” she says.
“It is strange. I went through all this trauma, but without the trauma I wouldn’t have this chance at a new life.”