Andrés Parra couldn't believe that he was finally in Australia celebrating the New Year with his sister Carolina and her family. They had only seen each other once since she emigrated five years ago and settle in a small town near the Victoria and New South Wales border.
The family celebrated without imagining that the following night they would be fleeing the fire that would shatter all their plans for 2020 in seconds.
“The fire occurred at dawn on January 2. A fire truck arrived and they quickly took us out of the house.”
Highlights:
- Andrés came to Australia to visit his sister when bushfires destroyed the family home.
- Andrés planned to seek refuge in Australia to escape the Colombian guerrilla.
- His visa application process was suspended due to the pandemic.
“My sister lost everything. I lost everything I had in my suitcases. We kept what we were wearing. The house was in carcass, completely destroyed”, says Andrés, who two weeks before the fire had arrived as a tourist in Australia.
Carolina says that it was "as if there had been a bomb".
“The fire was going down the mountains and the wind was blowing the burning leaves. Sparks fell everywhere. In seconds everything was gone.”
Andrés was convinced that 2020 would be his year.
In seconds, Andres's sister's house was reduced to ashes. Source: Andrés Parra.
Since his sister Carolina moved to Australia, Andrés began to consider the idea of emigrating.
With a wife and three children, Andrés, 44, imagined that his trip to Australia was his opportunity to apply for a protection visa and consequently he will be able to protect his family from the persistent violence that his community faces at the hands of the guerrillas.
"In the city where I live, the guerrillas have tried to get in," explains Andrés.
“The situation in the country is very delicate. Colombia has many beautiful things, but these people, the guerrillas, overshadow them.
“We cannot have our children in the streets, because these people take them away at any time. They are always on the lookout.”
From tourist to volunteer firefighter
But at dawn on January 2, everyone's life changed.
With fires burning everywhere in the town of Tintaldra, with about 200 inhabitants, there was need for more volunteers.
Still puzzled by the emergency, Andrés did not hesitate to raise his hand to join the volunteer brigade members and go to face the fires, despite his little English and almost no knowledge of the ground.
Andrés had experience as a volunteer firefighter, because in Colombia he lives in a town located on the central mountain range of the Andes.
“At first they told me no, that I couldn't collaborate on anything. However, when everyone saw the fire spreading, they did accept me there,” says the Colombian.
“We work on putting out many fires. We rested and the next morning we did the same,” says Andrés, who says he is satisfied with having been able to collaborate.
The next day, Andrés and his family returned to the house to look for the puppy that had been lost when they fled the flames. Source: Andrés Parra.
“Living hand to mouth”: pandemic, unemployment and homelessness
Despite being without accommodation or belongings, the great concern for Andrés was the wellbeing of his family in Colombia. He wanted to start his application process for a protection visa as soon as possible and to be able to work legally in Australia.
In Colombia Andrés worked drilling rocks, as welder and blacksmith. He was confident that with those skills he would soon find employment.
Shortly after the fire, Andrés separated from his sister. She was offered accommodation in a small remote town, where job opportunities were rare and internet access limited.
Andrés was left trying his luck alone in Albury, a small border town in New South Wales.
With the help of an online translator, Andrés answers emails from the Immigration Department, submits job applications, and manages to raise a few dollars.
“Sometimes I work with a man who makes metal structures. As I am a welder, he employs me one or two days a week and with that I send a little money to the family. We go like this, as we say in Colombia: 'living hand to mouth'."
In limbo: border closures and visa in pending
When Andrés finally received the order from the Immigration Department to take the medical exams for his visa, the restrictions due to the coronavirus were tightened.
For the first time in 100 years the border between the states of Victoria and New South Wales was closed.
"I had everything ready to (travel to Sydney for) the biometric exams, but I received an email telling me that all the procedures were postponed," explains Andrés.
The good news was that Andrés was granted a Bridging Visa A, Class WA, which gave him the opportunity to work while deciding his future in Australia.
“Yes, it is a bit difficult. Because with this issue of COVID-19, the time to obtain my visa will be extended much more,” says Andrés a little frustrated.
With the issue of permission to work resolved, Andrés has spent the last few months looking for a job, learning English and missing his family.
Although he only works casual, he does not lose hope of finding a steady income, making a living in Australia and bringing his family. For Andrés it is a matter of patience.
So far, Andrés has only found odd jobs to get by. Source: Andrés Parra
“Australia received me very well. I have had very nice moments here. There are people who have been excellent.
“Yes, I am bit low because I came with a goal and at the moment I have not been able to fulfill it, but I know that not everything is given when one requires it. Everything takes time”
