16/06/2026
REFUGEE WEEK 2026 FEATURE: T'S STORY
Coming from war-torn Myanmar, T made the difficult decision to leave his home to protect his family from violence and persecution.
It was not an easy decision, but he knew he had to act to keep them safe and give them the chance of a more secure future.
“They wanted to destroy and torture us, and we didn’t have any rights. Everything was to destroy our right to worship God,” he said.
T Sui Dun Suihleng fled with his wife and four children to New Delhi, India where they were in a refugee camp for 15 years until they came to Australia in December 2023.
“We didn’t know anything when we arrived,” he said.
“The language, the culture and way of life were all very different and the Australian Government guided the way, so we knew what to do to start a new life here.
This year, T and his family were matched with volunteers from the VoRTCS program, providing practical support and a sense of connection as they settled into their new community.
He says the impact on his family has been profound.
“We have a lot of issues with language; when the children go to school, they don't understand English properly but with VoRTCS, it has improved so much.
“The volunteers help them with their weekly homework and my wife’s English is also better.
Through the dedication of VoRTCS volunteers, families like T ‘s are building confidence, improving their English and creating a strong foundation for life in Australia.
“We are so happy with the help we receive from the volunteers. Thank you very much,” he said.
"May God bless the country of Australia, the volunteer teams and also those who helped us."
