Australia was meant to be a new beginning. Instead, their first year was marked by medical emergencies, unstable housing, and overwhelming stress. Shared accommodation offered no privacy for Laila’s family. Her husband, having survived so much, was struggling to cope – understandably.

Laila needed to look for work while caring for him, leaving her torn between survival and duty.

That’s when Spectrum stepped in. SETS (Settlement Engagement and Transition Support) is one of our key Settlement programs, designed to empower migrants with the tools that the need to thrive after difficulty. For a family like Laila’s, our SETS expertise meant that they could all receive a broad variety of support – both parents and children – marking a new turning point in their journey.

The team responded swiftly securing medical referrals, enrolling Laila in English classes, and connecting the children with youth services. With advocacy and support, the family moved into a private rental and received donated furniture to make it a home. A new care plan recognised Laila as her husband’s full-time carer, lifting a heavy emotional burden and restoring dignity to their daily life.

Today, Laila attends English classes part-time. Her husband joins her, and together they receive counselling and support. Their eldest son has started a part-time job, bringing pride and stability to the household. Laila now volunteers as a tutor in an online language and culture group for Afghan girls sharing her voice after years of being silenced.

The family has learned to manage bills and appointments independently. The children are connected to local sports and have access to free Wi-Fi through government support. They are stronger, more confident, and more connected –  but still waiting for long-term housing security. Spectrum continues to advocate on their behalf.

Through illness, isolation, and systemic pressure, this family has held together. Laila’s husband, once broken by torture, is described by his children as their rock.

He said he came to us as a client feeling like a bird with a broken wing—trying his best to care for his family while carrying the heavy burden of war, trauma, grief, and serious health challenges, including a heart attack.

Together, this incredible family are not just surviving but starting to fly.