“This past Monday on the 5th of May the Year 7s were privileged to hear the story of Mehdi Sina. His journey inspired not only the Year 7 students but the teachers as well. Mehdi was an Hazara refugee, fleeing Afghanistan and then Pakistan in search of a better life. Mehdi spoke to us in the auditorium about his life and journey and how he overcame many challenges.
Mehdi shared many challenges with us but for me two stood out. Mehdi had to stay in a detention center, between Christmas Island and Perth he was there for almost six months. One other thing that shocked me was the time he spent two whole days in the jungle with no food and with barely enough water to scrape by.
Mehdi’s story was especially inspiring to the year 7s because Mehdi did all this at the age of 14-15, not much older than many of us sitting in that room. Most of us couldn’t even imagine what his life was like before and during his escape to Australia. As an unaccompanied minor, Mehdi had to face this eight-month journey alone, with no friends or family to support him. He had to survive and make decisions completely on his own.
This incursion inspired and motivated the Year 7s to never give up—no matter how lonely or difficult things may feel. The fact that Mehdi’s story could move people who can barely comprehend what he went through shows how truly remarkable he is, and the incredible persistence he showed throughout his journey.”
– Zachary Verrall, 7A
