By Drew Roberts, AMES teacher

 MELBOURNE - These stories come from a Youth Group studying level 3, intermediate English, at the Footscray branch AMES in Melbourne.

The authors, aged from 18-25, are predominantly new arrivals or have a refugee background.  Some students also come to Australia on family or spouse visas.

The group reflects the diverse backgrounds of people from Footscray and other suburbs
in Melbourne's west. They are from Karen (Burma/Thailand border), Liberia, Ethiopia, Bosnia, India and Vietnam.

Many have grown up under the tight security of refugee camps and have known true freedom, for the first time, only this year. Others have made the long journey to Australia, escaping violence and persecution while being forced to leave loved ones behind.

These young people have high hopes and dreams for the future; for their life in Australia
and for assisting family and friends still held in refugee camps.

The cross-cultural friendships that have blossomed in the classrooms at AMES are significant -
and, hopefully, a  positive indicator for the future of Australia.

 Drew Roberts with students. Picture by Christopher Deere