Episode five: Don’t forget to smile
Of all Mozhgan’s family, her dad Amir is struggling the most. In episode one, we heard him in the midst of a shocking crisis, after the family visited UNHCR for their resettlement interview over a year ago. What happened next?
The past is a difficult subject, and the present is endless waiting. But if you can’t cope in Indonesia anymore, one door is always open: AVRR, or Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration. Nicole and Mozhgan call Omid, a Hazara man—and former volunteer with Mozhgan’s NGO—who decided to return to Kabul.
“It’s terrible to think about. Refugees have seen their life pass by, waiting to be resettled.”
Mozhgan and Nicole visit Nimo, a young woman originally from Somalia. On Nimo’s walls, she posts inspirational sayings and quotes. She laughs and dances. But Nimo does not like to be asked about the future.
“Who can ask me that question? Because I don’t know where I go.”
Meanwhile, a glimmer of hope flickers for Mozhgan, but what would it mean for her family and for her partner, Patrick?
Transcript
A transcript of this episode will be available soon.
In this episode
Mozhgan Moarefizadeh
Nicole Curby
Omid
Ann Maymann
Nimo
More information
The Wait was written and produced by Nicole Curby, and co-hosted by Mozhgan Moarefizadeh. Michael Green is the co-writer and supervising producer. Editorial support from Miles Martignoni at The Guardian Australia. Sound design and mixing by Bec Fary. Theme music by Emma Davis. Photo by Nicole Curby.
This project was supported by the Walkley Public Fund and a Judith Neilson Institute Freelance Grant for Asian Journalism.
Thank you
Tessa Rex, Gem Romuld, Trish Cameron, André Dao, Patrick Tumewu, Ben Doherty and Doni Marmer.