How a refugee and ex-Nauru guard fell in love

After fleeing war and violence in her home country Maria Kahie found love in an unexpected place — offshore detention.

Somali refugee Maria Kahie fears a government policy to not resettle refugees who arrived by boat will tear her family apart. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

After fleeing war and terrorism in her country of Somalia, Maria Kahie found love in an unexpected place – Australia’s offshore detention camp in Nauru.

Ms Kahie spent 14 months at the notorious facility where she met her future husband Daniel who worked for Wilson’s Security as a guard.

After being transported to Australia for medical care, and after being detained at Villawood Detention Centre for a year, she reunited with Daniel.

The pair are now married with two children, three-year-old Amaya and 21-month-old Bilal.

Now living on a bridging visa Ms Kahie and her young family reside in Brisbane where she runs a cleaning business which supports NDIS clients.

Maria Kahie (Right) with her children Bilal (left), Amaya, and her husband Daniel outside the Sydney Opera House. Picture: Supplied.

Despite the effort she has made to build a better life in Australia, Ms Kahie fears an Australian Government policy to not permanently resettle refugees who arrived by boat will break up her family.

“Being married to an Australian man doesn’t change anything about my situation,” she said.

“ (My children) are Australian kids and my husband is Australian so if I was to leave this means forcing three Australian citizens out of their country.

“Obviously I can’t leave my kids and my partner.

“It’s so unfair to do that to them.”

Maria Kahie outside Parliament House. Picture: Julia Kanapathippillai

She said her bridging visa allowd her to work but did not allow much else.

“I can’t study on it, I can’t get a loan from the bank … I can’t buy a house,” she said.

“I pay taxes here but I’m not protected in any way.

“If I was to get hurt or sick today the government won’t protect me.

“I have to renew my Medicare card every six months just like my visa.”

Ms Kahie said her home country of Somalia continued to be ravaged by Islamist terrorist group Al Shabab who opposed the elected government.

She said her father was killed in Somalia, and said she feared for the safety of her mother and brother who remain in the country.

Maria Kahie with her daughter Amaya. Picture: Supplied.

Prior to fleeing the country, Ms Kahie said her family were unable to stay anywhere for more than a year.

“It’s not an option for me to go back to Somalia,” she said.

Ms Kahie said she wanted the Australian government to “have compassion” for refugees and see them as people, not numbers.

“We are not asking for handouts – we just want the opportunity to be able to build our lives here,” she said.

“All we want is to be a part of this community.

“We want a better life for us and our kids.”