Refugee Week 2026: Masoma’s Story • Winter 2026 • Ballarat Library

Refugee Ambassador, Masoma, joins us for Refugee Week 2026.  

Come and hear her compelling story and connect with others over afternoon tea.  

Masoma was born in Afghanistan, but she and her family fled to Pakistan when she was a few months old. After US forces arrived in Afghanistan in 2001, the family returned and remained there for many years. “Those were some of the best days of my life,” Masoma recalls. “Going to school, spending time with friends, and not worrying too much about the future.” In 2013, the family again decided to leave in search of safety and a stable future. This time, they fled to Indonesia, expecting to stay for a short time before being permanently resettled in a third country. Their “short stay” lasted almost nine years.