From Kurdish migrant to international jewellery label

KURDISH migrant Bahar Salehi fled war and persecution to arrive on our shores in 1996. Two decades on, hers is a story of triumph and success.

Bahar Salehi makes handmade jewellery. Picture: AAP/ROY VANDERVEGT

KURDISH migrant Bahar Salehi still carries the scars from a tent fire that nearly claimed her life at just six months of age.

But, safe now in her St Agnes home, she says they simply strengthen her awareness of how far she’s come.

Fleeing war and persecution, Miss Salehi arrived in Australia – after two years in limbo in Turkey – as a 10-year-old in 1996 with little education and no English.

Two decades on, she’s flourishing – a successful businesswoman, a manager for the Adelaide Kurdish Youth Society and well on her way to becoming a human rights lawyer.

“I want to support those who have no access to the legal system,” Miss Salehi says.

“It’s always been a dream to be a human rights lawyer.

“I’m halfway through my law degree.”

St Agnes is a world away from her home village of Qandil, in Iraqi Kurdistan, which the family was forced to flee before seeking refuge in Turkey.

“Dad (Mohammed) was a freedom fighter so we had to flee for his safety,” she says.

Mohammed worked day and night in a Turkish restaurant to support his family of six.

“We survived on nothing,” Miss Salehi says.

“Two years was a long time with little income.

“Many countries knocked us back (for immigration) – Canada, US, in Europe.”

Eventually, Australia said yes.

“We didn’t know what Australia was,” she says.

“We were just excited to be in a safe place.

“It was wonderful news, to go from nothing to be here ... we are so grateful.”

The family’s tent in their homeland had caught fire, leaving her with a large area of scarred flesh.

This led even to childhood taunts when she first went to school in Australia.

Twenty-one years on, though, Miss Salehi would not want to live anywhere else.

“I feel at home. I love the sense of community here,” she says.

“The willingness (of people) to learn about our culture, the welcoming nature of people.

“They want to know your story.”

Miss Salehi is also a budding entrepreneur – combining full-time work at a not-for-profit organisation with making handmade jewellery for her emerging Bahar ColleKtion brand.

It puts a modern spin on traditional Kurdish earrings and necklaces.

“It takes my mind off things,” she says.

“It just began as a hobby, but it’s gone international.”

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