©Talent Beyond Boundaries Farhad arrives at the Melbourne Airport, being picked-up directly by Genashtim Company’s owner, Thomas.
In the lush, misty town of Cisarua, Bogor, an extraordinary young man named Farhad has embarked on a journey of resilience and determination that has led him from the heart of conflict in Afghanistan to a promising future in Melbourne, Australia.
Farhad was born in Tehran, Iran, on May 13, 2002, to Afghan refugee parents. His early years were marked by mobility as his family moved from Iran to Pakistan and back to Afghanistan, all in search of safety and stability. It was in this turbulent period of his life that Farhad’s thirst for knowledge began to take root.
As a young boy, Farhad was already a dedicated student. He started learning English at the age of 10, and his pursuit of knowledge led him to enroll in an English language school in Afghanistan, where he earned a diploma. However, this education came at a cost, and his family faced financial hardships. “My father supported my education and invested heavily in me even during the financial crisis in our family.” Farhad added.
Farhad has three siblings, two sisters and a brother. His older sister had married, and his younger sister was just five years old. His older brother had already made the journey to Australia, seeking refuge and a better life.
The road to safety was fraught with dangers and discrimination. Before coming to Indonesia, his family was plagued by threat to their very lives and lack of opportunity due to their background as refugees. Faced with these challenges, Farhad’s determination to find meaning in life and succeed only grew stronger.
In the seventh grade, Farhad didn’t find his school subjects appealing, but he discovered a passion for computers during his time in Pakistan. He attended a computer school where he learned under the guidance of a teacher who had graduated in computer science. This experience ignited his interest in IT and programming.
Farhad’s journey took him by airplane to Jakarta, Indonesia. At first, Farhad and his family lived in Jakarta. However, Jakarta’s high cost of living and scorching weather prompted them to relocate to Cisarua, where they found a more affordable home, where the cool climate reminds them of home.
Even with support from UNCHR, life in Cisarua was still challenging. They lived in a humble rented house, with frequent flooding looming. But the support of fellow refugees kept their spirits high.
Farhad attended a school in Cisarua for two years, where he received education from fellow refugees. However, it did not qualify as a formal education. Every day after school, he turned to online courses, making the most of the free resources available to refugees. He said excitedly, “I learned so much during those days, I even woke up at 2 or 3 AM just to study”.
The support he obtained from UNHCR allows him to access Coursera, which became his gateway to knowledge. He also took courses in various subjects, including IELTS preparation. While his motivation was unwavering during his teenage years, he admitted that it had waned somewhat in recent times due to compounding struggles faced by refugees amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Despite his impressive qualifications and skills, Farhad faced challenges when seeking internships or a job. In Indonesia, refugees do not have access to employment and hence, many employers failed to respond to his application upon learning of his refugee status.
Then, in 2022, Farhad’s life took a remarkable turn when he learned about a job opportunity abroad through a friend and a refugee group. The non-profit, refugee talent sourcing organization Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) played a crucial role in facilitating his connection with a company named Genashtim, which works to provide sustainable, meaningful and gainful employment for the disadvantaged – including refugees. This is exactly in-line with what Farhad has dreamed of – to work in IT while being able to support fellow refugees. Genashtim is headquartered in Singapore, but Farhad joined the Melbourne branch as an ICT Project Manager.
Farhad’s role as an ICT Project Manager will involve bridging the gap between the company and its clients. His expertise in IT and programming, combined with his ability to communicate effectively with clients who may struggle with technical terms, makes him an invaluable asset to the company.
He believes that the tech industry is rapidly evolving, and it is essential to always look for new knowledge and to adapt with the ever-changing landscape. Farhad’s contract with Genashtim stipulates two years of work before pursuing a degree. He aspires to enroll at Melbourne University to study Cybersecurity.
Farhad’s advice to fellow refugees seeking employment is simple yet profound: “Stay curious for knowledge and be motivated all the way because the entire industry is moving very rapidly thanks to AI. Certain jobs don’t have a future, so you need to keep up to date and adapt to the future environment. And seek what you really want to do.”
As Farhad started a new chapter of his life in Melbourne, he grapples with the complexities of his family’s situation back in Indonesia. He hopes to find a way to reunite with them in the future.
Farhad’s story is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, the power of education, and the unwavering pursuit of a brighter future. His journey from refugee to an ICT Project Manager is an inspiration to us all.
About Talent Beyond Boundaries
Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) is a nonprofit organization that connects refugees with international employment opportunities to help them rebuild their lives. For more information you can check out their page at: https://www.talentbeyondboundaries.org/
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