Highlights
- Sydney’s Bhutanese community takes to ‘virtual door-knocking’ for support during lockdown
- Every community member calls 10 households to spread COVID information, encourage vaccination
- Restrictions in 12 LGAs remind Bhutanese community of struggle in Nepali refugee camps
The close-knit Bhutanese community of Sydney is using a ‘virtual door-knock' initiative to support its members and pass on essential COVID-19 information amidst the strict lockdown implemented by the New South Wales government in 12 local government areas (LGAs) listed as in Greater Sydney.
Instead of the regular community events organised by the Bhutanese community, members of the community are now meeting online every week to “provide solutions” to those impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.
That led to the idea of a virtual door-knock.
Amongst these restricted LGAs are Campbelltown, Blacktown and some suburbs of Penrith, where a majority of Bhutanese refugees have resettled.
Blacktown resident and community advocate Om Dhungel says there are currently 90 families, or around 500 Nepali-speaking people of Bhutanese origin living across these LGAs.
“When the pandemic hit, we started calling people to say hello and update families about the latest COVID-19 information”
“During one of our fortnightly meetings, I mentioned our door-knocking initiative. One of the attendees said, ‘we can’t door knock’, so I had to explain that this door-knock is virtual,” he told SBS Nepali. 
Knocking doors virtually
Bhutanese community members in Sydney meet online every week. Source: Om Dhungel
Each member of the community makes a phone call to around 10 households and besides the usual catchup, also passes on three key messages.
“Follow lockdown rules, get tested and get vaccinated. If someone has doubts about vaccines, we invite experts to explain further through an online event”
He says he’s aware of the impact the lockdowns and tough restrictions are having on the elderly members of his community, including his 94-year-old father and mother in her 80s, who look forward to meeting people.
That is something Mr Dhungel had to explain to his elderly parents, who were wondering why their son couldn’t visit them and rather spoke with them over the phone.
Being able to get across important messages to the community through online settings has been helpful for Mr Dhungel personally as well, who speaks virtually with his parents every evening.
“My father says, ‘at least I can see you, it’s almost like meeting you’. That’s how they [elderly] keep themselves happy and that’s the type of message we’re trying to take to the community”
This community effort of assisting people during the pandemic has been explored by other local community bodies as well such as the SydWest Multicultural Service COVID Taskforce.
Memories of refugee camps
Mr Dhungel says members of the community have expressed mixed reactions to the latest lockdown rules in the area.
“Many are using their experience of living in a refugee camp in Nepal to deal with the current COVID-19 lockdown”
“Having lived in a refugee camp and struggled for necessities like paracetamol, many are used to such challenges and are using those experiences to manage current the hardship,” he added.
Community events turning virtual
Om Dhungel says many members of his community are using their past refugee experiences to cope with the current situation. Source: Om Dhungel
Padam Kafley is the president of the Sydney chapter of the Association of Bhutanese in Australia.
The Bhutanese association is currently assisting community members with their vaccination appointments and increasing awareness about government health guidelines.
“With a large percentage of the younger people of our community working in healthcare, many have helped promote vaccination and other COVID-related messages”
Recalling the pre-pandemic cultural and religious events, he talks about their importance for the community, especially the elderly.
“Events were one way for them to meet other people in the community,” says Mr Kafley.
Since the pandemic began, such events had to be cancelled and moved online.
Padam Kafley is the President of the Association of Bhutanese in Australia - Sydney. Source: Padam Kafley
However, connecting everyone online has had some challenges too, Mr Kafley adds.
