But the Ezidi refugee has come a long way since then, and just recently gained her driver's licence, giving her independence as well as a great sense of achievement.

She is part of the success story of Armidale's welcome to the Ezidi community and local volunteers have played a key role in making it happen.

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As newcomers Ezidis wanted to learn English and connect with locals. Khawla and others have been helped to find their way, settle in and become part of our town by Armidale Sanctuary volunteers.

The contribution made by these volunteers has been significant.

Armidale Sanctuary has been operating since 2003 assisting refugees to settle in Armidale.

A not-for-profit organisation, it is run entirely by volunteers.

In 2017 Armidale became a refugee settlement town and in 2018 the first groups of refugees arrived from Northern Iraq.

The refugees and their families started arriving in Armidale three years ago, with 100 people to start with, followed by more in the following months.

The atrocities that drove them from their home began on August 3, 2014, when ISIS militants killed more than 1000 men within the first few hours.

More than 600 people have since arrived in Armidale and Sanctuary volunteers have been helping them overcome the loss and trauma they have suffered.

The volunteers provide community support for the work done by government organisations such as Settlement Services International (SSI), Northern Settlement Services (NSS) and STARTTS (Services for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors).

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Sanctuary members assist by visiting families and helping with understanding written material, negotiating services and appointments, and even shopping.

Their efforts have helped the refugees settle into Armidale.

This year an Ezidi boy became a primary school captain, while an Ezidi girl won a scholarship to help fund her Year 11 and 12 study.

Many Ezidis now have drivers' licences, own cars, and have found jobs in local industries and businesses. Some are starting to look at buying their own home.

Nevertheless, there are still many families who are in need of social support and assistance in daily living for which volunteers are essential. And more new families will be arriving in the near future.

Armidale Sanctuary has started to encourage more people from the local community to get involved, become members of Sanctuary and sign up as volunteers helping Ezidi refugees to settle here.

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