CHAT SESSION 21 with Latifa
Topic- ‘QUEEN’ Latifa has amazing ‘QUALITIES’ and is a beautiful soul!
Monday 18th September 2023 Live 1pm https://rppfm.com.au
Catch up and listen to our chat session https://megaphone.link/LCRUI9209169387
Latifa was born in Pakistan in 1997, an Afghan lady who has been living in Australia since 2019. Her hope has been for a safe and better future, for herself and her family.
At the age of twenty Latifa’s dad left Afghanistan with his parents and immigrated to Pakistan, during the time of the war. Her dad had to stay in Pakistan for a while and was working hard maintaining two jobs so that he could save money.
Not to long after Latifa's dad settled into his new surroundings, her grandfather went to Afghanistan to purchase necessities and to attend to personal commitments. During his visit her grandfather asked her Nona if she knew of a girl that may be interested in marrying her father. Latifa’s grandfather wanted her dad to get married. Latifa’s dad was in a different state in Pakistan when he received a letter from his dad, Latifa’s grandfather. The letter was to inform him that they had found a wife for him, and he needed to return back home as soon as possible. In a short time, a lady was asked to marry Latifa’s father and just like that, an arrangement was made for the young lady, Latifa’s mother, to return to Pakistan with Latifa’s dad. Back in those days in Afghanistan, arranged marriages were a usual custom. Latifa’s mum and dad were married and started their life together.
Latifa’s parents had six children who were all born in Pakistan. This is where they all grew up, but Pakistan wasn’t safe for Afghan immigrants. Her dad was a taxi driver and due to target killing and kidnapping, life was getting harder and harder, and their surroundings were not safe. As a taxi driver, it was becoming dangerous working each day with the uncertainties surrounding him and his family. One day there was an attack on Latifa’s dad. It was at that time that Latifa’s mum decided that her husband needed to migrate to another country. They had three sons and three daughters and as a family they were living in fear. Their situation was dangerous and every second of every day was a challenge. Staying alive and staying safe due to target killings and bomb blasts was scary, hard, and disheartening.
Finally, Latifa’s dad agreed to leave Pakistan and migrated to Australia. He lived in Australia for more than eight years on his own making many sacrifices for his family. He experienced many hardships and went through so many challenges that most people could not imagine. But, through all the challenges he was facing there was one life lesson that never went unnoticed. He encouraged his children and instilled in them the importance of study. He would always remind them to appreciate studying because one day it would reward them with opportunities for a better life. One thing that Latifa always speaks of in high regard are the words of wisdom her dad has for all his family. His hope of a brighter future for his children has always been a priority.
In 2007 Latifa was a student studying advanced language at an Academy in Pakistan. One day whilst at the Academy her and her teacher and the other students felt as though they were experiencing a bad dream, a nightmare! During the study class there were bomb blasts. So many people were injured, and many died. From day to day there was always an uncertainty about life in Pakistan and you never felt safe.
In Australia Latifa’s dad was working very long hours to support his family who were still residing in Pakistan. For more than eight years he worked hard so his children could get an education. Finally, with his savings, he was able to provide his family with the opportunity to get the visas they required to come to Australia. He lost eight years of the best part of his life living without his wife and his six children. Latifa’s dad was millions of miles away, alone in Australia and her mum was living like a single mum in Pakistan. During those years so many sacrifices were made. It was not easy for her mum. While trying to provide the best life possible with education and knowing that safety was a threat, despite all the obstacles, Latifa’s mum never gave up.
Coming from a third world country, living in Pakistan was so different to Australia. In Pakistan there weren't any traffic lights and it's one road for pedestrians, cars, bicycles, and trucks. Everyone travels one road and cash is the payment for everything. There are shops and stalls at the side of the road with busy surroundings, confusion, and congestion.
Latifa’s dad spent all his hard worked savings on purchasing travel tickets to bring seven people to Australia from overseas! Coming to a first world country where you pay with bank cards and credit cards, with different rules, regulations, and the many differences, was very foreign to Latifa and her family. Digital technologies and a new way of life has been hard in so many ways. When arriving in Australia Latifa and her family came with literally nothing. When they were taken to their home in Shepparton, Victoria Australia, they entered an empty house. They had to go shopping for necessities and with limited funds, it was a struggle to make ends meet.
Before arriving in Australia Latifa was unable to complete her studies in Pakistan so she decided she wanted to complete her studies in Australia. When searching for medical courses she realised the fees were expensive and due to not being able to initially receive any Centrelink payments, it just wasn’t feasible for her to enrol in her dream course. She would have had to pay for the course herself and that just wasn’t a possibility. Her dad also couldn’t pay for her education so Latifa didn’t follow that dream. She knew she had to work so she decided to apply for a job at a packing shed. Latifa started work as a packer and within two months was upgraded to a higher position. She thought it was quite a funny story that she was unable to speak English well but given a higher position in the company. The opportunity came when an existing employee was on sick leave. The manager, at the time, seemed distressed so Latifa, the inquisitive, quick learning young lady, stepped up and took the initiative. She began to learn computer skills and put her best foot forward. Learning quickly and impressing the people around, Latifa was getting recognised. Sorting out orders for the company checking produce, doing taste tests, and making sure everything was intact became easy work. Latifa kept upskilling herself and was making remarkable progress within the company. She was also saving as much money as possible so that she could enrol in an English course to learn the language. When she had enough savings, she multitasked her time and began to work night shifts while studying during the day. Studying English has been of great benefit to Latifa, and it has helped her to become more confident when speaking the English language. Being able to speak English has also helped Latifa to support her family when dealing with banks, filling out paperwork and studying online or in person.
It was important for Latifa and her siblings to work and study, so Latifa encouraged her dad to move to Melbourne to buy a home. When her family had enough savings combined, they decided to move to Melbourne to purchase their first home. As immigrants having no information on how to buy a house was a struggle. But with support from some of the people Latifa had met, she was advised about what direction to take and who to speak to. Within one year of Latifa and her family immigrating to Australia, they unexpectedly purchased their first home.
Latifa was skilled as a naturally creative talented stylist doing makeup and hair, so she decided to work as a hairdresser and went on Seek applying for jobs. Previously, when living in Shepparton, Latifa applied for a job at a hairdressing salon. The salon called Latifa to come in for an interview and without any hesitation Latifa went to her interview wearing a headscarf, something that is of tradition and a normal dress style for her. Latifa introduced herself and was looked down upon. She began to feel uncomfortable. The interviewer began to act a little weird and immediately said, “no we are not looking for any employees”. Latifa felt really discouraged and her spirit felt deflated. She went home and told her dad what happened. Her dad said some people don’t like people wearing head scarfs in the hairdressing industry so after a few days Latifa got ready without her head scarf. She applied makeup on herself, wore fashionable clothing and went off again to the same hairdressing salon to ask the same interviewer if there were any jobs available. To her disbelief the answer was yes. Latifa was offered a job immediately and was told she could start work the following week. Latifa replied, “Oh l am the person who came in for an interview a couple of days ago wearing a headscarf. You told me you had no work.” In that same moment Latifa said, “You were so rude to me the other day.” She turned away with a smile on her face and walked straight out of the salon!
When Latifa moved to Melbourne she applied for a few salon jobs who were seeking staff. She got an interview with Cathy and Hai at ‘Think Innovation Hair and Beauty’ and was encouraged on the same day of her interview to come and join the Innovations family. Within a few days Latifa was employed and started her career as an apprentice hairdresser. She got her name Queen Latifa immediately and has been an absolute treasure to be around.
Every time Queen Latifa shared her upbringing and real-life story with her clients and her salon family, everyone just fell in love with her humble nature and determination for wanting a better life in Australia.
Queen Latifa may have faced many problems during her life, but she never gave up working hard, learning more, and appreciating the opportunities she has been given.
Latifa is now an Australian citizen and can further her studies. The opportunity to start a course in health administration is the first step and her aim is to go into the medical field in the near future.
Queen Latifa is truly a wonderful human being. Anyone who has crossed paths with her is blessed!
Follow Latifa on Instagram to view her beautiful work
My hope is that when you’re looking at yourself in the
‘The Daily Mirror’
YOU SMILE
EMBRACE BEING YOU
AND FIND 10 MINUTES IN YOUR DAY TO NOURISH YOUR SOUL!
To get in touch with Cathy email smileinthedailymirror@gmail.com
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