Meet Samar

Samar is just one of the young people Barnardos has supported through the Mt Druitt Project this year.
She shares her story with us. 

“I’m Samar and I’m 17 years old. I used to be jealous of other kids when I had to stay home to take care of my mum and sisters. My mum, younger sisters and I had been living with my dad’s violence and abuse since I was in Year 5. My mum suffers from schizophrenia, where she gets delusional and paranoid of everything. There was even a period when she refused to let us go to school because she believed my dad would come back and take us away. 

I was really struggling with caring for my mum and my sisters, balancing school and working weekends to pay the bills. When I completed a wellness survey in school, I was contacted by Barnardos with an offer to help me and my family. This changed my life completely. Aside from the financial and emotional support, they helped me get the job at Zone Bowling and helped me get into university. I’m excited to start university in March next year. I want to take up criminal or family law to help people experiencing domestic violence because I’ve been there and I know what they’re going through. 

What I love about Barnardos is how my youth worker really cares about me and wants me to succeed. She lets me vent my frustrations and cry without any judgement. She also gives me helpful advice when I don’t know what to do. I’m so grateful for the connection I have with her and the Barnardos team.   

Before Barnardos stepped in, I couldn’t look ahead because I was just trying to take care of my family and survive. I was in a dark place and didn’t see my life going anywhere. Now, my future is looking bright, and I’m excited and inspired to help others.”

– Samar, age 17, Mt Druitt Project Participant